The Foundation Report for Women of Color!

This is the cosmetics foundation report for women of color, ethnic and mixed race women

Women of color and mixed race know that makeup foundations can have yellow based undertones, brown based undertones, olive based undertones, pink based undertones, golden based undertones, red based undertones, and even black based undertones. Many cosmetic companies recently introduced new or reformulated versions of their foundations to accommodate a wider array of skin tones. That’s good news for us women of color - The bad news is that many of these companies either still don’t understand the variations in our skin tones, or the formulations don’t live up to the hype.

Did you know that the average women will loose almost $600 a year because of cosmetics, skin and hair care products that don't work for them - and end up throwing out? This report will take the guesswork out of finding your next foundation. We've chosen six foundations which we think are the best - some are new and others have been mainstays on the market for several years. The products vary in price range and color tone range, and are all widely available - so there is truly something for everyone here.

• Real Cosmetics Liquid Foundation
• Lancome ID Foundation
• Classified Cosmetics ERA FACE Foundation
• Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer
• MAC Studio Tech
• L'Oreal True Match
• Maybelline Dream Mousse Foundation (Just added!) Please visit Palacinka's Under $10 Cosmetic Section for this review. 

Real Cosmetics Liquid Foundation

Real Cosmetics was founded by a women of color, (Pakistani-American) and this line has gotten a lot of well deserved press over the last year. Their makeup line currently consists of foundation, pressed powder and lipstick. The philosophy behind the foundation is that many other cosmetics companies create foundation that usually derives from only two shades: pink and yellow. But women of color come in all shades and undertones: yellow, olive, golden, red, pink, brown, black. As a result, many women can choose makeup that looks artificial.

The water-based foundation contains light-reflective properties and protection against the drying effects of the sun. The colors are named after the cities of the world; in honor of the richness of culture B and women B those cities produce. The foundation seemingly "melts" right into the skin, and is incredibly light.

Note: The coverage is sheer-medium, so if you need heavier coverage and/or need to cover a lot of blemishes/skin discolorations, you may want to try some of the other foundations listed in this report.

The shades are grouped in the following color families:

N = Neutral. Means yellow/orange undertone. Color Family: Golden

N/W = Neutral Warm. Means red/orange undertone. Color Family: Red/Gold

W = Warm. Means red undertone. Color Family: Red-Brown

N/C = Neutral Cool. Means yellow/green undertone. Color Family: Olive

Our testers used the following shades with great results:

Oakland, Lahore, Santo Domingo, Mumbai

Try the matching pressed powder (in the same colors) for a perfect finish. $20. Liquid Foundation, Price: $23

Available at Sephora.com

Lancome ID Foundation

Lancomes latest foundation line contains what they call ColorAdjust™ pigments and sheer powders to even out your complexion, adjusting precisely to your skin. To create this line, the company claims that they scientifically scanned the skin tones of over 500 women worldwide to create a universal shade range. The coverage is medium and the creamy formula is very easy to blend. Oil-Free. Non-Comedogenic. Dermatologist-tested.

The line has 20 shades and is grouped in the by combining following color families/shades:

Warm, Neutral & Cool

Intensity 1, Intensity 2, Intensity 3, Intensity 4

Note - We found Intensities 2-4 were the best for most women of color

Our testers used the following shades with great results:

ID# III-10 (W), ID# III-30 (N), ID# III-40 (W), ID# II-40 (W)

Price: $32

Available at Sephora.com 

Classified Cosmetics ERA FACE Foundation 

This ERA FACE spray formulation is the next best thing to putting on perfect skin! It's the only foundation we've reviewed that's a spray-on formula. The benefit? With the finely-sprayed mist you can not only control the application better but you will actually look as if you have had your makeup done by a professional makeup artist!

This product comes in 10 shades, perfectly matched for virtually any skin tone.  It is divided into two color bases; yellow-beige and red-beige. Please note: red-beige shades are made to CORRECT the skin's red tones - not accentuate them.

ERA FACE is an oil-free, water-based formulation that is completely water resistant. Makeup won't rub-off on clothing, yet is easily removed with mild soap and water or makeup remover. It not only looks good on the skin, but is GOOD for the skin. Its unique formulation provides vital moisture without clogging pores. Botanicals, Aloe Vera and Chamomile soothe and promote healing by allowing skin to breathe. Antioxidant Vitamins C & E nourish and fortify skin.

Perfect for photo sessions and on-camera work as well.

Our testers used the following shades with great results:

Y5, Y7, R6, R8

Price: $55

Available at Sephora.com

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer

Kevyn was a master make-up artist - as anyone who is a loyal Allure magazine reader or has read his Face-Forward & The Art of Make-Up books, knows. Before his untimely death he was working on a line of technologically-advanced cosmetics in Japan. The line has now expanded into many products, and the Sensual Skin Enhancer is a marvelous one for the look for flawless skin.

The Sensual Skin Enhance comes in 16 shades and provides a long lasting formula. This product can be used in several ways -it=s a very concentrated, highly pigmented crème formulation which can be used with a small brush or the fingers as a cover up/concealer. It can also be combined with a light moisturizer as a foundation, or a small amount used with a touch of powder as an alternative to an all over foundation.

Our testers used the following shades with great results:

SX 06, SX 08, SX 09, SX 12, SX 13

Also great for photo sessions and on-camera work.

 Price: $42.00

Available at Kevyn Aucoin and Neiman Marcus

MAC Studio Tech

MAC cosmetics are always innovative and deliver very excellent results, which is why they are still the number one brand in every makeup artists bag! They have also long been known for developing products that cover the wide range of skin tones women of color have. Their foundation line is superb. They offer several different formulations, but MAC Studio Tech is one of our favorites. It comes in a compact as opposed to a bottle, and it’s a cream-to-powder formula.

Provides a natural matte, powder-perfect finish. Smooth to blend, easy to work with: provides a full range of coverage. Water-cooled - refreshes and hydrates skin. Light diffusing: softens lines, creates a fresh, flawless finish. Good on all skin types.

Also great for photo sessions and on-camera work.

Our testers used the following shades with great results:

NC40, NW20, NW30, NW35

Price: $23.50

Available at maccosmetics.com

Runner up - MAC Liquid Foundation for Face and Body

This one comes in a non-breakable conveniently-sized tube. It's a water-based, water-resistant foundation that provides long-lasting, natural coverage for face and/or body. This formulation feels very light on the skin and is great for all skin types. Face and Body Foundation provides sheer, natural looking coverage in an easy to blend, formula.

This line comes in 15 shades developed for Neutral tones or Cool tones. This looks great with the MAC pressed powder for a very matte look on the face.

Also great for photo sessions and on-camera work.

Our testers used the following shades with great results:

C5, C6, C7, N6

Price $28.50

Available at maccosmetics.com

L'Oreal True Match

This is a new foundation which uses special technology to deliver one of the widest shade ranges in the mass market category. The line is based on not only a woman’s skin tone but also her undertones. The formulation is very light and “melts” into the skin seamlessly. The formulation is non-greasy, non-drying and easy to blend. We found the color matches were superb and actually made the skin feel smoother within a few minutes of application. The line has 24 shades and is grouped in the following color families:

Warm - Neutral - Cool

Our testers used the following shades with great results:

N6 Honey Beige, C7 Creamy Beige, N8 Cappuccino, C8 Cocoa, W8 Crème Café

Price $9

Available at Wallgreens.com, Duane Reade, CVS, Rite Aid and other major drugstore chains nationwide. 

“Palacinka.com – Your source for honest opinions of cosmetics, skin and hair care for women of color. We help take the guesswork out of buying your next beauty product! Visit us today @ http://www.palacinka.com”

Good luck in the hunt!!!