IL MAKIAGE teamed up with GLAMOUR for this year’s instalment of Black Beauty Unlocked, a two-night IRL soiree that saw industry experts and influencers share their knowledge and hacks in an incredible series of panel talks dedicated to all things Black beauty – from hair, skincare and makeup to cosmetic treatments best suited for Black skin.
One of the highlights was The Full Beat masterclass, in partnership with IL MAKIAGE, the USA’s fast-growing beauty empire that champions inclusivity with a makeup line that caters to all. For the session, GLAMOUR’s Sheilla Mamona was joined in conversation by professional makeup artist Adeola Boyega and beauty influencers Wendy Asumadu and Mariam Musa.
The tea was served – here’s the lowdown on the best hacks shared by the panel (you can thank us later).
1. Pick your primer according to your skin type
“Not all primers are the same, so if you’ve got oily skin you can go for an oil-free primer or if you’ve got dry skin, a hydrating one will make the difference,” says Adeola Boyega. “It’s really about assessing your skin and finding out which primer will suit you.”
For an easy suits-all option, IL MAKIAGE’s No Filter Poreless Base Smoothing Primer (£28) works for both skin types as it creates a hydrating glow while also minimising the appearance of pores and providing some serious staying power, all without drying out the skin.
2. Shade matching is a game changer
Finding your spot-on skin shade match for your concealer and foundation is a major step to perfecting the full beat. But we know it isn’t always easy. “Growing up, finding the right foundation was so hard as a woman of colour,” explained Mariam Musa. “We just weren’t the priority, but I think we’re definitely in the era now where they’re taking more steps to make sure we find our right foundation and that we feel included.”
IL MAKIAGE prides itself in having a tech-first approach, using their unique PowerMatch algorithm to precisely match foundation and concealer without even seeing the customer’s face. You may well ask – how? See for yourself in their quick and easy PowerMatch quiz that’ll match you to one Woke Up Like This foundation's 50 shades (£36). The formula provides buildable coverage and boasts over 250,000 five star reviews, it’s also currently the single most reviewed beauty product online in the US.
Similarly, the brand’s F*CK I'M FLAWLESS’ concealer (£24) works some serious wonders in reducing dark spots and under eye circles, if we do say so ourselves, is available in 30 inclusive shades.
3.Set your own blush rules
As well as discussing the flattering effect of IL MAKIAGE's range of lip products, including the popular Dirty Talk Matte Lip Colour, the experts expressed their opinions on following specific rules when applying blusher. “I don’t follow no rules,” says Wendy Asumadu. “Who says blush only needs to be put on your cheeks? I like to put it all over to give skin a warmth and glow. I think if everything is always changing, why don’t you set the trend?” A piece of advice we can get on board with!
If you fancy giving it a whirl then IL MAKIAGE’s Mineral Baked Blush (£29) is the one to experiment with, as it provides a naturally glowy finish. "It’s amazing,” says Mariam. “I’m wearing it right now and I absolutely love it.” Wendy is also a huge fan of the product, saying: “As a woman with a deeper, darker skin tone, it’s such a challenge to find the right blush – so it’s really nice when I can look at something like IL MAKIAGE’s Mineral Baked Blush and see that it is made for me. That means a lot to me and I can imagine what it means to other Black people that wear makeup.”
4. Dive into colourful eye makeup
The ladies also revealed the key to creating the perfect eye makeup for Black skin: colour, which is easily achieved with the use of IL MAKIAGE’s Color Boss Squad eyeshadow palette (£33), Icon High Volume & Intense Curl Mascara (£23) and Black Card Eyeliner (£21). When it comes to the eyes, and anywhere else for that matter, Black skin thrives when you use bright shades. “I think colour was made for Black people,” says Wendy, who is known for being bold and experimental with her makeup. “There isn’t one colour that doesn’t suit Black skin tones.”
That means, you can never go wrong!
