My Summer Make-Up Favorites as a Black Woman

I am now closer to 40 than 30. As I accept big age nuances, I sit with the changes my body continues to produce. Disrespectful at times, laughable in others. As a therapist, it dawned on me people stare at my face for hours at a time, daily. Conceptually, I need to practice what I preach to clients in session, which has led to today's blog. Not an exhaustive litany of my skin care routine, but more on the way I choose to paint my face and show up in the world. All while supporting other Black owned businesses as a walking billboard. Client: "What color lipstick is that?!"

As a young girl, Fashion Fair and Mary Kay were the only containers and lipstick bullets I saw on the vanities of the women in my family--Rum Raisin and Cream & Sugar coloring the lips of my matriarchs, sit firmly in my mind. MAC debuted at MacArthur mall via Nordstrom when I was in the seventh grade. Oh Baby! was the first lip glass I owned. These days, I am proud to purchase and have access to Black owned/founded makeup products, and not look casket ready. I live in the mid-Atlantic region so we experience four seasons (if global warming would let us be great). I have combination skin and have to change my foundation shade and cleanser semi-annually to keep my skin happy. We're currently experiencing extreme humidity with overnight thunderstorms which doesn't help when I need to be presentable for filming, public events, or just want to be cute. I'll discuss the characteristics of some newly purchased products that seem to tackle these aspects.

Danessa Myricks Beauty

I purchased my first Danessa Myricks Beauty products almost five years ago. It was a vibrant pink, what I now know as Colorfix (not sure if it was Valentine or a brighter shade but this is the only pink I currently see on her website). I'll admit I threw it away after using only a few times because the consistency changed and became almost plasticky. I may not have stored it properly or the shelf life wasn't as long as I expected. Keep in mind it's not a color I would use everyday. These multiuse creams (or metallics and now matte options) are a carry-on traveler's dream. I hate packing for a business trip and culling down my collection to fit in my toiletry bag knowing I'll have to do a full face of makeup when I get where I'm going. *Rolls eyes out of head* The less-than-two-inch tube size allows for ample filling of whatever bag you use with room to boot. I purchased the viral Blurring Balm Powder summer 2022 as a hopeful contender for my "no-makeup-makeup" look. I watched the original "how to use" video from Danessa Myricks and the few on YouTube I could find, until I felt confident. The coverage is buildable and reminds me of a Mary Kay "creme-to-powder" formula a family member used back in the day. However, I was still getting some oil breakthrough. Boo! I recently watched a few more videos that have popped up and note Danessa Myricks does not use a formal primer underneath the BBP. Eureka! I will refrain from using my MILK or Grown Alchemist primer and report back. Let us pray this new technique revelation holds up for the Beyoncé concert and other summer activities I have in the pipeline. I apply the BBP using fingers or a densely packed makeup brush (e.g., IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Flat Top Buffing Foundation Brush). I love the little spatula for hygienic reasons.

What I own . . .

• Blurring Balm Powder (shade 8.5; shade 9) | falling in love with this cream-to-powder product the more I use it. I want to call it foundation, but if you have more than one shade like I do, the deeper shade can be a bronzer or contour product. I acquired 8.5 last week and will shift shade 9 to bronzer duty. I noticed shade 9, when photographed, or even to the naked eye, is still too deep my neck/chest even after summer sun exposure.

• Colorfix Creams/Mattes/Metallics/Glazes | one of the best multiuse creams I've come across. Just purchased Icon, Celebration, Caramel, and Coffee Cake. I wanted Chocolate and Brownie but y'all don't like sharing (sold out). Waterproof.

• Linework | A black, liquid eyeliner with state of the art tapered bristles to achieve narrow or broad calligraphy type eye art. Waterproof.

• Twin Flames (AdoreU, Obsession) | a cream based, color-shifting eyeshadow with a doe-foot applicator. Chrome effect in dry down. Waterproof.

• Infinite Chrome Micro-pencil (Bronzite) | a color-shifting liner. Haven't used it just yet, but the swatch is gorgeous on my complexion. Waterproof.

• Evolution Powder (shade 4) | setting powder. When using traditional foundation I use after primer, before foundation; and, again after liquid foundation is applied. When using blurring balm, I use lightly after application.

• Forever Mist ("Set It") | I put my Urban Decay All-Nighter in a drawer after purchasing this. Enough said. Also available in a Dewey mist.

Rating: 8/10

Due to the learning curve of many of the products, and not realizing I would not need a primer under the blurring balm until recently, I'll give an eight until I master the application with the tools I own...Fingers included, which the founder is an advocate. A little, and I do mean a little--smidge as we like to say--goes a LONG way. It's easy to over squeeze. I own a metal finger ring she designed to use as a palette for easier makeup application.

A.J. Crimson Beauty

May he rest in peace. A reported boating accident in 2022 sent him to the spiritual realm. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but he or his team would often respond to my tags of their products via Instagram. I'm savoring the last bit of my Ruby Who as it doesn't seem like the company will be able to produce more products. I should have purchased two tubes!

What I own . . .

• Dual Cream Foundation (expired; disposed)

• Lipstick (Real Love, Laydee Lyke, No Shade, Crimson Rose, Bondage)

• Matte Liquid Lipstick (Boy Bye, Ruby Who)

• Office Politics Gloss (Please Advise, Regards)

Rating: 8/10

Due to the learning curve of using the beeswax based foundation, I will give an eight. The liquid matte lipstick is a 10! Shawty right there is a tennnn. It does NOT move! I see why he and his products are loved in the modeling and acting industries. I ate a jerk chicken wrap one day at the office, juice running down my face, and wiped my mouth hurriedly before a session. Why was the napkin still white?! I remove the liquid matte products with Egyptian Magic all purpose balm (Black owned) and THEN go in with micellar water or Clinique's Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil or I'll wake up with Ruby Who in my lip crevices.

Good Brow Day x PRMP Beauty

I patronize PRMP Beauty for my waxing needs. The owner, Nicole L. developed a brow product line to complement the services offered. I gift the below, along with other in-store featured products to family members.

What I own . . .

• Brow Pencil (Espresso) | I use the spoolie on the end to brush up or down my eyebrows and then pencil in what needs to be filled starting with bottom line, top arch. Brushing eyebrow hairs down seems weird but you can see your "bald spots" better than when brushing upward.

• Brow Gel (Clear) | I use it everyday. Even when I don't leave the house. I have a dense head of hair, but for whatever reason my RNA didn't get to relay genetic factors to my brows. The combination of the brow gel with the pencil helps me zhuzh up what I was given. I can change a shirt without much ruffling of the brow hairs. Dries clear. Not sticky.

Rating: 10/10

Often backordered. Get it when available! PRMP playlists are always a vibe.

Eighth & Kin

Last, but not least is Eighth & Kin, (formerly Marjani Beauty <--> Brown Beauty Co-Op) a coterie of Black and Brown beauty brands located in Dupont Circle. As a community partner, I shop quarterly at the realized dream of Kimberly Smith, founder. Holiday gifts, corporate gifts, and my own collection are heavily laden with featured Black and Brown women owned brands. I know of the aforementioned brands because I saw them here first. Before these brands got their deals with Sephora or Nordstrom, I knew I could go here, shop with confidence, as well as test the products. Sign up for the newsletter and follow on Instagram as themed events are often thrown. Shipping of products is efficient and I order when I can't get to the store.

Makeup application is an art. Like most arts, practice is an important factor. Take your time to learn the products and how your skin responds to them. Trial and error are apart of the process. It's ok if you don't get it right the first time. And, by all means take care of your skin! Makeup will not hide poor skincare habits nor your skin's natural disposition. Clean your brushes. Adhere to use dates on containers and toss when the product is beyond it. I hope you try some of the above products. Black owned brands not mentioned, that I use often include: The Lip Bar, Fenty Beauty, Kami Cosmetics, Maréna Beauté, the Glamatory, Bossy Cosmetics, Black Girl Sunscreen and Pat McGrath, affectionately known as "Mother" to her faithful base. Anything I missed? Be sure to leave a comment below.