Exact Foundation Shades: 43 Celebrity Matches
This post contains affiliate links from Rewardstyle and ShopStyle.
For black girls who are still searching for their exact foundation shades…and celebrity skin twins. Special thanks to Nesh of Western & Rose and Lisa Brown-Hall of The Ghetto Fashionista for their input!
A few years ago, InStyle wrote an article detailing 50 exact foundation formulas worn by leading celebrities. Sadly, the roundup was overwhelmingly white with a few black women thrown in the mix. I thought:
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a hit list like this roundup for black women?
The idea sounded promising, even revolutionary, in theory.
However, actually hunting down the profiles of makeup artists? Scrolling through the captions and comments? Locating the correct names of the products used on our melanin-rich muses? I had my work cut out for me! But I was game!
I also had to find decent pictures of black women wearing their foundation shade if there were no headshots available. As a fellow black woman, I know how difficult it can be to find our perfect match(es). Hopefully, this post will point those who need help in the right direction.
Alternatively, for those of you that have found your exact foundation shades across the board, may you be entertained. Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to try a new foundation formula or brand. I’ll be updating this post with new foundation matches. Additionally, setting powders, contours, and highlights will also be added, when possible.
Exact Foundation Shades for Black Women For $20 & Under
SERENA WILLIAMS
Black Opal True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Black Walnut, $10.95. True Color Stick Foundations in Hazelnut and Heavenly Honey as highlights. Ebony Brown as contour; blackopalbeauty.com & walmart.com.
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
No. 7 Lift & Luminate Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Chestnut, $15.99; walgreens.com
JERRIKA HINTON
Iman Cosmetics Second to None Stick Foundation in Earth 5 (all over), $15.99; target.com; Second to None Stick Foundation in Earth 7 (as contour), $15.99; target.com; Second to None Cover Cream in Medium Deep (concealer), $13.99; walgreens.com; Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in Clay, $15.99; target.com.
Exact Foundation Shades for Black Women For $30 & Under
NATURI NAUGHTON
Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation in Ebony, $25; anastasiabeverlyhills.com. Black Opal Beauty True Color Foundation Stick in Nutmeg (for highlight), $9.95; blackopalbeauty.com. Iman Cosmetics Luxury Pressed Powder in Earth Medium, $15.99; target.com.
TEYANA TAYLOR
JANELLE MONAE
Danessa Myricks Vision Cover Cream in #N07, $28; danessamyricks.com & camerareadycosmetics.com
GABRIELLE UNION
First submission: Fiona Stiles Beauty Luminous Finish Foundation Concentrate in 09 Tawny, $34.25; qvc.com
Exact Foundation Shades for Black Women For $40 & Under
DUCKIE THOT
MAC Studio Tech Foundation in NW58, $34; nordstrom.com
GUGU MBATHA-RAW
LORAC Sheer POREfection Foundation in PS6 Medium Tan, $35; hsn.com & ulta.com
ANIKA NONI ROSE
Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation SPF 15 in Almond 7, $35; bobbibrowncosmetics.com & bloomingdales.com
ZURI HALL
AJ Crimson Dual Skin Creme Foundation in #4.5, $35; ajcrimsonbeauty.com
ISSA RAE
AJ Crimson Dual Skin Creme Foundation in #5, $35; ajcrimsonbeauty.com
VIOLA DAVIS
Cargo Liquid Foundation in F-100, $36; cargocosmetics.com. Cargo HD Picture Perfect Pressed Powder in #40, $32; ulta.com.
GABRIELLE UNION
Second submission: PÜR 4-in-1 Liquid Foundation 14-Hour Wear Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Deeper, $36; purcosmetics.com
SANAA LATHAN
PÜR Cosmetics 14-Hour Wear Broad Spectrum SPF 15 4-in-1 Liquid Foundation in Golden Dark, $36; purcosmetics.com
JUSTINE SKYE
Jay Manuel Beauty Skin Perfector Foundation in Deep #2, $38; jaymanuelbeauty.com & hsn.com
Jay Manuel Beauty Skin Perfector Foundation in Deep #3, $38; jaymanuelbeauty.com & hsn.com
CHANEL IMAN
PUR Cosmetics 4-in-1 Liquid Veil Spray Foundation in Tan, $39; kohls.com
TARAJI P. HENSON
Ashunta Sheriff Beauty Perfect Blend Dual Stick Foundation in Tan, $40; ashuntasheriffbeauty.com
Exact Foundation Shades for Black Women For $50 & Under
RYAN DESTINY
Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation in G90 (N100 as contour), $42; sephora.com & coverfx.com
TWEET
Cover FX Total Cover Cream Foundation in G110, $42; sephora.com & coverfx.com
FANTASIA BARRINO
MAKE UP FOR EVER Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation in Amber, $43; sephora.com & makeupforever.com
KHOUDIA DIOP
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation in R540, $43; sephora.com
BEYONCÉ
Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Youth-Boosting Foundation in Medium 8 (all over), $45; nordstrom.com. Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Youth-Boosting Foundation in Dark 9 (contour), $45; bloomingdales.com.
DAMARIS LEWIS
TEMPTU ‘Airpod™’ Foundation in 16 Hazelnut, $45; nordstrom.com
BRANDY
Marc Jacobs Shameless Youthful-Look 24-Hour Foundation SPF 25 in Tan R490, $46; sephora.com
SERAYAH MCNEILL
NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Tahoe, $47; sephora.com & narscosmetics.com
JUSTINE SKYE
Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX 15, $48; sephora.com & nordstrom.com
NORMANI KORDEI
Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation in Pecan, $48; sephora.com & nordstrom.com
JURNEE SMOLLETT BELL
Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer in SX 07, $48; net-a-porter.com & neimanmarcus.com
KERRY WASHINGTON
Marc Jacobs Beauty Genius Gel Super–Charged Oil–Free Foundation in Cocoa Light, $48; sephora.com
SIMONE MISSICK
Exact Foundation Shades for Black Women For $60 & Under
NIA LONG
Tinted Moisturizer Light Revealer Natural Skin Illuminator Broad Spectrum SPF 25 in 5n1 Walnut, $53; nordstrom.com
YVONNE ORJI
Hourglass Cosmetics Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation in Ebony, $56; Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick Chestnut (contour) & Warm Almond (highlight), $46; hourglasscosmetics.com & sephora.com
DUCKIE THOT
Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation in #SX 6, $58; sephora.com & nordstrom.com
GABRIELLE UNION
Third submission: Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation in Deep EF 16, $58; net-a-porter.com & dermstore.com
Exact Foundation Shades for Black Women For $70 & Under
GABRIELLE UNION
Fourth submission: Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation in #302, $62; kohgendocosmetics.com
FANTASIA BARRINO
Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation in #302, $62; kohgendocosmetics.com
REGINA KING
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #10, $64; sephora.com & nordstrom.com
NORMANI KORDEI
Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF 25 in 11, $64; sephora.com & nordstrom.com
JASMINE TOOKES
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #11.5, $64; sephora.com & nordstrom.com
JASMINE TOOKES
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #12, $64; sephora.com & nordstrom.com
Exact Foundation Shades for Black Women For $110 & Under
GUGU MBATHA-RAW
La Mer Soft Fluid Long Wear Foundation SPF 20 in Tan, $110; barneysnewyork.com
