Slay the First Day: Back to School Makeup for Dark Skin
It’s that time of the year again – back to school! And as you prepare for the new school year, one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is creating the perfect back to school makeup look for dark skin.
Let’s talk back-to-school makeup! I remember my first day of school like it was yesterday. That jittery feeling, the mix of excitement and nervousness is real! And let’s be honest, looking good can give you that extra confidence boost. Whether you’re a student or a teacher, having a flawless and natural-looking makeup look can help you feel your best in the classroom.
For those with darker skin, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the right products and techniques that work best to create a simple, timely and note-worthy makeup look. Allow me to give you a s step-by-step guide that will help you achieve a stunning natural-looking, makeup look. Whether you have oily or dry skin, using affordable drugstore products. If you’re a dark-skinned queen like me, but don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Lets dive in.
For stunning and simple makeup ideas to recreate please check out: Picture Day Back to School Makeup Ideas
Prepping your Skin for Back to School Makeup
Pre-Makeup Skincare Routine for Dark Skin
First things first, let’s talk skincare. A good base is essential for any makeup look, Before we even get into makeup tips, it’s important to mention that having a good skincare routine is key to achieving a flawless makeup look. Cleanse, tone, moisturize and add sunscreen. Make sure you’re moisturizing daily and using products that cater to your skin type. I’m a huge fan of using a hydrating toner and a lightweight moisturizer. It’s like giving your skin a refreshing drink of water! Ensure to use products that are specifically formulated for dark skin to avoid any ashy or gray tones. One of my favorite sunscreens (black owned) specially formulated for black skin is the Black Girl Make it Matte Sunscreen with Spf 45.
- Disclaimer: While I’ve included product recommendations in this post based on personal use, research and popular choices, individual skin tones vary. It’s essential to experiment and find the perfect shade for you.
My Top Recommendations (Oily Skin):
My Top Recommendations (Dry Skin):
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Makeup Steps for Achieving a Fresh and Natural Back to School Makeup Look for Dark Skin
- As a former makeup artist and a total beauty enthusiast, I’ve learned a thing or two about makeup application order. While everyone has their own preferred method, I’ve found that the following order of these steps can create a smoother, less messy makeup routine, especially for beginners. Remember, the goal is to build your look gradually, layer by layer.
1. Prime Skin For Makeup:
- A good primer will help your makeup last throughout the school day and keep your makeup looking fresh.
For Oily Skin: BLK/OPL Invisible Oil-Blocking Gel Primer / Rimmel London Stay Matte Primer
For Dry Skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer & Serum / NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me
2. Define Your Brows:
- Filled-in brows frame your face beautifully. It makes such a difference on how polished your makeup looks. Use a brow pencil to fill in any sparse arears and create a defined shape. Then clean up with a concealer one shade lighter than your skin tone for a very natural look. Pro Tip: for my oily skin babes, try dabbing a bit of setting powder on your brows before filling them in, this helps keep the oils at bay. For those pesky flyaways the Nyx Professional Makeup The Brow Glue lays your brow perfectly.
- Be sure to check out this tutorial Ive created ( 3 MINUTE EYEBROW TUTORIAL FOR BEGINNERS) for a simple and easy step by step guide.
For all Skin Types: L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer / Revlon colorstay micro waterproof natural eyebrow colour pencil
3. Simple Eyeshadow for Back To School Makeup:
- For a back to school makeup look, keep your eye makeup simple and defined. Stick to neutral eyeshadows to enhance your dark skin. A subtle pink or bronze shade work perfectly as well. Ensure to use an eyeshadow primer to reduce the appearance of fine lines and keep your eyeshadow crease-free.
For Oily Skin: E.l.f. Mad for Matte Eyeshadow Palette / NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette
For Dry Skin: Maybelline New York The Nudes Eyeshadow / Milani Gilded Nude Hyper Pigmented Eyeshadow Palette
FREE MAKEUP CHECKLIST
Feeling overwhelmed by all the products and tools out there? No worries, we’ve got you covered! For all my makeup newbies, I’ve created a free downloadable checklist featuring all the essential products and tools you need to create these gorgeous looks (and many more!). Just click the link below to snag your copy and get ready to unleash your inner makeup artist!
4. Defining Your Eyes: Mascara and Eyeliner
- If you’re not one for lashes, then mascara and eyeliner will open up your eye and make you look more awake. Use a dark brown or black eyeliner to create a thin line on your upper lash line. Then choose a mascara on that adds volume and length (1-2 coats) for a subtle simple look.
Natural Lashes: Ardell’s Faux Mink Lashes
Mascara for Back to School Makeup:
For Oily Skin: Maybelline Lash Sensational Firework Waterproof Mascara
For Dry Skin: Essence Lash Princess Curl & Volume Mascara Vegan & Cruelty Free
Eyeliner for Back to School Makeup:
For Oily lids: NYX Professional Makeup’s #1 Epic Ink Eyeliner
For Dry Lids: Honest Beauty’s Liquid Eyeliner in Black
5. Conceal And Correct
- If like me, your plight is discoloration and dark spots, these can be easily camouflaged with color correctors. Use a red or orange corrector to cancel out any dark areas before applying foundation or concealer. (Here a pro tip of mine: Allow color corrector to dry down or set mildly with a translucent setting powder, this prevents the product from mixing in with any other makeup products place over it).
- (Before foundation) Use a concealer to cover any blemishes or dark under eye circles – I know the late night study sessions can bring on those. (After foundation) For a brightening effect, choose a shade that is one to two shades lighter than you foundation.
For Oily Skin: E.l.f. 16HR Camo Concealer / NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can’t Stop Won’t
For Dry Skin: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Bare With Me Concealer Serum / Catrice | True Skin High Cover Concealer
6. Foundation that Matches your Dark Skin
- When it comes to foundation, it’s important to find one that matches your skin tone perfectly. For a long-wear, a full coverage foundation is perfect to keep your makeup in place all day. If you require a lighter coverage then opt for a tinted moisturizer, these typically offer sheer coverage, adding a hint of color to even out skin tone while also providing hydration. Remember to blend it down your neck for a seamless finish.
For Oily Skin: Maybelline Matte + Poreless / NYX Cosmetics Stay Matte but Not Flat
For Dry Skin: Maybelline New York Fit Me Dewy + Smooth / L’Oréal Paris True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum Foundation
7. Set Your Makeup
- Using a setting powder is the key to keeping your makeup in place all day. Basically, a setting powder is the same as setting spray, just in powder form. this is because the oil in our skin plays a major role in breaking down our makeup, making it slowly come off throughout the day. A light dusting of powder will help you stay shine-free without looking cakey. (Pro Tip – when applying setting powder try using a powder puff, dust of any excess before pressing it onto your skin.). Dark skin often has warm or neutral undertones. So, opt for a compact powder with a warm or golden undertone to enhance your skin’s natural radiance. Avoid powders with cool or pink undertones, as they can make your skin look dull. For Oily skin look for powders with strong oil-absorbing properties and for dry skin opt for powders with hydrating ingredients and a satin finish.
For Oily Skin: Black Radiance True complexion Setting Powder / Maybelline Fit Me Loose Finishing Powder, Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder.
For Dry Skin: Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder / E.l.f. Perfect Finish HD Powder.
8. Add Blush for a Fresh look
- Blush adds a pop of color and a healthy glow to your face. When it comes to dark skin tones, deep coral, berry, or plum blushes are excellent options since they produce a dramatic contrast that looks both elegant and young. Shades of berries give depth and richness, plums have a royal quality, and deep coral has a bright, warm vibe. Apply it on the apples of your cheeks and blend it outwards for a natural, youthful flush.
For Oily Skin: Maybelline Cheek Heat Gel-Cream / E.L.F. Powder Blush Palette
For Dry Skin: NYX Sweet Cheeks Soft Cheek Tint / Pixi On-The-Glow Blush
9. Bronze to add warmth
- Bronzer can do wonders for dark skin tones, adding warmth and dimension without overpowering your features. Unlike blush, bronzer gives you a more sculpted, sun-kissed look. Opt for a matte bronzer a shade or two deeper than your skin tone. Apply it to the hollows of your cheeks, along your jawline, and the sides of your nose for a natural contour. You can also lightly dust it on your forehead and chin for a more polished look. Remember, a little goes a long way! Build the color gradually until you achieve your desired warmth.
For Oily Skin: Rimmel London Natural Bronzer, 004 Sundown
For Dry Skin: Physicians Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer, Moisturizing
- Want a subtle glow? While highlighter can definitely elevate your look, it’s not a must-have for a simple back-to-school makeup routine. If you prefer a more natural finish, feel free to skip it. However, if you love a little radiance, a cream or liquid highlighter applied sparingly to your cheekbones and brow bone can give you a dewy, healthy look. The Maybelline Master Chrome Highlighter is a budget-friendly option that delivers a gorgeous glow, perfect for oily skin. And I recommend the Tru Match Lumi glow for my dry skin babes!
10. Subtle but Flattering Lip Color
- A nude or light pink lipstick or lip gloss is perfect for an everyday look. Line your lips with a lip liner to prevent any color bleeding and then fill in your lips with the lipstick.
Drugstore products: Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color in “Nude Nuance” / Physicians Formula The Healthy Lip Velvet Liquid Lipstick – All Natural Nude / Milani Color Statement Nude Creme
11. Set Makeup for All Day Wear
- Another way to keep your makeup in place is by using a setting spray. This will help to lock in your makeup and give you a fresh and dewy finish.
For Oily Skin: NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray, Nyx Professional Makeup Marshmellow Setting Spray
For Dry Skin: NYX Bare With Me Multitasking Primer & Setting Spray, E.l.f Cosmetics Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray
Back to School Fall Makeup Trends for Dark Skin
How to Refresh Your Makeup for an After-School Event on Dark Skin
So, school’s out and it’s time to hit that after-school event! But don’t worry about redoing your whole makeup routine. A few quick touch-ups can transform your daytime look into something more evening-ready.
5 Tips To Refresh Your Back to school Makeup;
1
Blot Away Shine First things first, let’s tackle that shine. Use an oil-blotting paper to gently remove excess oil from your T-zone. This will help your makeup look fresh and prevent your products from sliding around
2
Powder Puff Magic If blotting isn’t enough, lightly dust your face with a translucent powder. This will help to set your makeup and control any shine. Avoid heavy powder application to prevent a cakey look.
3
Eye Refresh Give your eyes a little boost with a quick touch-up. Use a clean eyeshadow brush to blend out any crease lines and reapply a little eyeshadow if needed. A fresh coat of mascara can make a big difference. For a quick glam, add a little shimmer or glitter to your inner corner for a brighter look.
4
Lip Upgrade: If you so choose, swap out your daytime lip gloss for a bolder lip color. If not, then you can also layer a clear gloss over your lipstick for a juicy finish.
5
Reset: Invest in a good facial mist to hydrate and refresh your skin throughout the day. It can help to set your makeup and give you a dewy glow.
Bonus Tip: Carry a small makeup bag with essentials like powder, lipstick, and concealer for easy touch-ups throughout the night.
Remember, the key to a successful makeup refresh is to build on your existing look. With these few simple steps, you can have your makeup application looking as radiant when first applied or you can transform your daytime makeup into an evening-ready glam!
- Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Which means if you choose to purchase something from this post, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Trimatize Beauty Blog! Full disclaimer here.
RELATED: EASY 3 STEP EYESHADOW LOOK FOR HOODED EYES
Final thoughts on Back to School Makeup for Dark Skin
Remember, the key to a flawless back-to-school look is to embrace your natural beauty. Dark skin is stunning, and the right makeup can enhance your features like nobody’s business. So, experiment with different shades, find what makes you feel confident, and don’t be afraid to have fun with it!
With a little practice, you’ll master the art of creating a makeup look that’s perfect for you. And remember, confidence is the best accessory!
Feel like you need to learn at your own pace……then book an online class with me personally….🥰💄
Save this post to refer to the next time you practice. Do you have a favorite back to school makeup look or tips you would love to share for dark skin? We’re waiting to hear your recommendations in the comments below!
Have additional questions?
I’m always here to help. Let’s talk.
