Makeup for Dummies

Let’s keep it real—starting your makeup journey as a Black girl can feel overwhelming. The wrong foundation shade? Been there. Ashy setting powder? Girl, we’ve all been through it. But don’t worry—this is your guide to building a beginner routine that actually works for your skin, your undertones, and your vibe. No gatekeeping, no judgment, no 50-step routine. Just the basics, explained in a way that makes sense.

Skin Prep Is Everything

Before you touch a brush or sponge, your skin needs love. Cleanse, tone, moisturize—and if it’s daytime, wear sunscreen (yes, even with melanin). A hydrating primer goes on next, especially if you want your makeup to sit pretty all day. Look for ones with ingredients like hyaluronic acid or a smoothing finish if you’re oily.

Black girl tip: Try primers with a golden or peachy tint—these help cancel out dullness and bring warmth to the skin.

Foundation: Match Your Neck, Not Your Face

This is the most intimidating step for a lot of us, but here’s the tea: undertones matter. If you look better in gold jewelry, you likely have a warm undertone. If silver pops more, you’re cool-toned. Neutral? You’re the best of both worlds. When testing shades, swipe the foundation on your jawline and blend it down toward your neck—not just your cheek.

Black girl faves: Fenty Beauty, NARS, and Juvia’s Place have wide shade ranges that cater to melanin.

Concealer Is Your Secret Weapon

You don’t need to “beat” your entire face—just conceal what you want to brighten or blur. Apply a lighter concealer (1–2 shades lighter than your skin tone) under your eyes, on the chin, forehead, and the bridge of your nose. Blend with a damp beauty sponge for a skin-like finish.

Optional: Spot conceal with a concealer that matches your skin tone to cover dark spots or acne scars.

Setting Powder: No Ashiness Allowed

Say it with me: translucent does not mean universal. Many translucent powders can look ghostly on darker skin. Go for banana or golden-toned powders that match your undertones. Lightly tap under your eyes, chin, and forehead—don’t bake if you’re just starting out. You’ll learn what works best for your skin over time.

Try: Sasha Buttercup, Laura Mercier (Honey), or Huda Beauty Easy Bake in Kunafa or Coffee Cake.

Brows: Keep It Natural, Sis

You don’t have to draw on a whole new brow. Just follow your natural shape and fill in sparse areas with a pencil that matches your brow hair. A little brow gel will hold everything in place. Don’t overthink it—you’re not sculpting a masterpiece, just giving definition.

Eyeshadow Basics

Stick to neutrals, browns, oranges, or golds when you’re just starting out. These shades flatter deeper skin and are easy to blend. Use one shade in the crease, a shimmer on the lid, and you’re good to go. Add some mascara and boom—soft glam.

Blush? Yes, You Need It.

Blush brings warmth and life back into the face. Burnt orange, berry, brick red, and deep coral shades are beautiful on dark skin. Tap it on the apples of your cheeks and blend upward toward your temples.

Fenty’s Cream Blushes, Juvia’s Place, and NYX Sweet Cheeks are beginner-friendly and melanin-approved.

Highlight But Make It Golden

Forget that silvery-white highlighter—it’s not doing you any favors. Look for gold, bronze, or champagne-toned highlighters that enhance your natural warmth. Apply it to the tops of your cheekbones, brow bone, nose bridge, and cupid’s bow for a soft, glowy finish.

Lips: Line and Layer

A good lip starts with a brown liner. Always. It frames your lips and makes any gloss or lipstick pop. Add a nude, pink, or brown-toned gloss or lipstick, and blend the liner inward for a natural ombré effect.

Go-to combo: NYX Espresso liner + Fenty Gloss Bomb + a dab of clear gloss = magic.

Final Thoughts

Makeup doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need to know every hack or trend to look good—you just need to know what works for you. Take your time, experiment, mess up, and start again. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s confidence.

Stick around—The Wellness Diaries is your go-to guide for calm, clarity, and care.