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9 Best Foundations for Dark Skin Tones

For African American women, the perfect foundation is an elusive prize. Experts reveal how to research, test and (finally) find your perfect match
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BareMinerals
Although it's not touted as a specialized skin care line, BareMinerals offers one of the widest ranges of skin tones on the darker side of the spectrum compared to others on the market. BareMinerals READY Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20, $29, comes in 20 shades, a whopping half of which fall on the medium to dark range. Better yet, each swatch comes with a descriptive summary ranging from "rosy undertones" to "subtle yellow-olive undertones" to really help you nail your shade.

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Black Up Cosmetics
Established in 1999, this French makeup line was one of the first created by makeup artists specifically for women of color. The swatches for Black Up Cream to Powder Foundation, $41, show the brand's expertise in capturing the subtleties of dark skin. The foundation comes in a range of 16 shades with one of the darkest swatches on the market, and a new creamy formula enriched with mattifying powders curbs oil buildup for a velvety finish.

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Clinique
Clinique doesn't specialize in makeup for African American women, but Even Better Makeup SPF 15, $27, comes in 30 different shades. This well-balanced range has eight shades in both its "Medium" and "Deep" categories (along with seven shades in both "Very Fair" and "Moderately Fair") making it a great option for all ethnicities. This pick also contains citrus extracts to help even skin tone and diminishes age spots with each wear, making it extra beneficial for black women who are prone to hyperpigmentation and uneven patches.

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Black Opal
Black Opal not only offers a wider range of shades for darker skin tones, but the line also serves them up at affordable prices. The Black Opal True Color Stick Foundation SPF 15, $9.50, comes in 10 shades and a portable stick that makes it perfect for touching up hyperpigmentation spots and getting an even skin tone on the go. The hypoallergenic formula won't clog pores or contribute to breakouts and comes with built-in SPF for sun protection you won't even notice.

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Bobbi Brown
Makeup artist Bobbi Brown is known for advocating for shades that look natural on a wide range of complexions and her namesake line lives up that ideal, specifically Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation SPF 15, $48, and Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Compact Foundation, $46. Both products come in 20 shades, half of which range from tan to espresso and offer six variations in the darkest shades.

BY ERICA SMITH | JAN 12, 2015 | SHARES
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