Navigating the world of beauty can be tough for women of colour, especially on the high street. In the past, the shops that line our local towns and cities have been jam-packed with products that only come in 50 shades of beige. As a result, we've been forced to save for department store products which are often more than treble the price.
In the last 18 months, things have started to change. Now, a host of diverse brands are entering the high street offering a wide range of shades and formulas at accessible price points.
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Some of our favourites (including Fenty Beauty, Huda Beauty and cult-brand Beauty Bakerie) have found new homes in Boots and Superdrug, making them attainable for women of colour across the UK, who want to browse their shades or find the perfect red lip to suit their skin tone.
We can finally say goodbye to using ashy foundations that are four shades too light, or concealers that are way off our undertone. Travelling far and wide to get them is a thing of the past too, because now brands are on our doorsteps.
Click through to find some of the best products for women of colour on the high street right now.
NYX Cosmetics
There are lots of reasons to love NYX, like the brand's wallet-friendly prices and its huge range of colours. But one of the biggest reasons is that while beauty brands struggled to produce formulas that were high quality and would show up on darker skin tones, NYX came through.
The brand offers a vast range of foundation shades for a multitude of women of colour, as well as nude lipsticks and lip glosses to suit darker skin tones.
There are lots of reasons to love NYX, like the brand's wallet-friendly prices and its huge range of colours. But one of the biggest reasons is that while beauty brands struggled to produce formulas that were high quality and would show up on darker skin tones, NYX came through.
The brand offers a vast range of foundation shades for a multitude of women of colour, as well as nude lipsticks and lip glosses to suit darker skin tones.
This highly covetable foundation delivers a buildable medium coverage and a naturally radiant finish that really lasts.
NYX Professional Makeup Born To Glow Foundation, $10.00 Buy
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If you're looking for a non-sticky lip gloss that won't trap your hair, choose Butter Gloss. Not only does it feel comfortable, it tastes delicious too.
NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss, $5.50 Buy
Revolution Beauty
If you're into low cost yet high-quality makeup, look no further than Makeup Revolution. The budget-friendly makeup brand has garnered a cult-like following thanks to its trend-led offerings and dupes of high-end brands.
From eyeshadows palettes to highlighters, this brand caters to all dark skin tones. The foundation and concealer in particular have been praised for their impressive shade range and coverage on darker skin.
If you're into low cost yet high-quality makeup, look no further than Makeup Revolution. The budget-friendly makeup brand has garnered a cult-like following thanks to its trend-led offerings and dupes of high-end brands.
From eyeshadows palettes to highlighters, this brand caters to all dark skin tones. The foundation and concealer in particular have been praised for their impressive shade range and coverage on darker skin.
Packed with vitamins A, B3, B5, C and E, this lightweight buildable formula creates a natural finish while brightening the under eye area and cloaking blemishes.
I Heart Revolution Heartbreakers Concealer, $6.00 Buy
This highly pigmented and waterproof foundation creates maximum coverage with a finish that doesn't look cakey. Apply it with a damp sponge or brush for best results.
Revolution Beauty Full Cover Camouflage Foundation, $7.00 $3.50 Buy
Fenty Beauty
When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty back in September 2017, there was a frenzy over the range of foundations and highlighters created to flatter all skin tones, from the lightest to the deepest. Now three years later, the superstar has levelled up with a full range of lipsticks, concealers, eyeliners and most recently, a mascara.
The range was once only available exclusively at luxury department store Harvey Nichols, but now RiRi has decided to bring Fenty to the masses by launching in Boots.
Say goodbye to your wages.
When Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty back in September 2017, there was a frenzy over the range of foundations and highlighters created to flatter all skin tones, from the lightest to the deepest. Now three years later, the superstar has levelled up with a full range of lipsticks, concealers, eyeliners and most recently, a mascara.
The range was once only available exclusively at luxury department store Harvey Nichols, but now RiRi has decided to bring Fenty to the masses by launching in Boots.
Say goodbye to your wages.
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Slide across your cheekbones, forehead and jaw line with a for an instant sun-drenched glow.
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk'r Instant Warmth Bronzer, $25.00 $21.25 Buy
Hand-picked by Rihanna herself, this is the perfect shade of red, which she promises to be "universally flattering". We can attest to that.
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Colour, $19.00 $16.15 Buy
Beauty Bakerie
Founded by Cashmere Nicole in 2011, this Californian-bakery themed beauty line went viral after their foundation line burst onto the scene in 2018, not just because of the vast shade range but because the products were categorised from 'dark' to 'light', prioritising dark-skinned women to shake up the beauty industry. Since its initial launch, Beauty Bakerie has amassed cult celebrity following, including Kehlani, Beyonce and Cardi B.
It's now available to buy on the high street where you can get your hands on some of the best-sellers, including the Wake and Bake Oil, Lip Whip Gloss and HD Flour Setting Powder.
Founded by Cashmere Nicole in 2011, this Californian-bakery themed beauty line went viral after their foundation line burst onto the scene in 2018, not just because of the vast shade range but because the products were categorised from 'dark' to 'light', prioritising dark-skinned women to shake up the beauty industry. Since its initial launch, Beauty Bakerie has amassed cult celebrity following, including Kehlani, Beyonce and Cardi B.
It's now available to buy on the high street where you can get your hands on some of the best-sellers, including the Wake and Bake Oil, Lip Whip Gloss and HD Flour Setting Powder.
The final ingredient to your flawless makeup look is this finely milled powder. It eliminates shine and creates an incredible blurring effect that imparts a soft focus glow.
Beauty Bakerie Cassava Flour Setting Powder, $22.50 Buy
Looking for a liquid lipstick that doesn't budge? The Lip Whip is long-lasting, smudge-proof and waterproof so you don't have to worry about reapplying. Plus, it's available in eight flattering shades.
Beauty Bakerie Lip Whip Matte, $19.00 Buy
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Sleek MakeUP
Inclusivity and diversity have been at the heart of Sleek since its launch in 1995, which is why it has remained a staple brand among women of colour across the UK. It is used by beauty editors, bloggers and makeup artists thanks to its trusty pigmented formulas and impressive shade range designed to suit all overtones and undertones. Thanks to its super affordable prices, it remains one of the high street staples we often run to when we're in dire need of a suitable face palette, bold lipstick before a night out or a vibrant blush to let our melanin pop.
Inclusivity and diversity have been at the heart of Sleek since its launch in 1995, which is why it has remained a staple brand among women of colour across the UK. It is used by beauty editors, bloggers and makeup artists thanks to its trusty pigmented formulas and impressive shade range designed to suit all overtones and undertones. Thanks to its super affordable prices, it remains one of the high street staples we often run to when we're in dire need of a suitable face palette, bold lipstick before a night out or a vibrant blush to let our melanin pop.
Sculpt, chisel and shape your face effortlessly with this easy contour kit.
Sleek Cream Contour Kit, $10.99 Buy
This highly pigmented blush will add a splash of colour to your cheeks.
Sleek Blush, $4.99 Buy
Too Faced
Too Faced is one of the most popular brands among women of colour in the UK, especially thanks to their incredible shade range and their recent collaboration with beauty influencer Jackie Aina, which extended the shades further.
Too Faced is one of the most popular brands among women of colour in the UK, especially thanks to their incredible shade range and their recent collaboration with beauty influencer Jackie Aina, which extended the shades further.
This is a slightly more affordable option than the cult Chocolate Bar Palette, which also suits everyone, but it's just as brilliant. With eight highly pigmented, easily blendable shades, you can create a range of subtle or show-stopping looks.
Too Faced Peaches & Cream Eyeshadow Palette, $22.00 Buy
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While this is a touch pricier than most high-street concealers, it provides unrivalled coverage and is a favourite among the beauty-obsessed. It leaves behind a dewy finish, blankets imperfections and can be used to highlight and contour with, so you get more bang for your buck.
Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Concealer, $25.00 Buy
Huda Beauty
Huda Beauty launched in Sephora in Dubai in 2013 with a range of false eyelashes. Since then, the brand has expanded to include foundation, eyeshadow palettes and face powders.
If you're one of Huda Kattan's 22 million followers on Instagram, you'll have already spotted her products – which are often sold out online. Thankfully this year Huda Beauty launched in Boots so you can pick up your faves easily.
Huda Beauty launched in Sephora in Dubai in 2013 with a range of false eyelashes. Since then, the brand has expanded to include foundation, eyeshadow palettes and face powders.
If you're one of Huda Kattan's 22 million followers on Instagram, you'll have already spotted her products – which are often sold out online. Thankfully this year Huda Beauty launched in Boots so you can pick up your faves easily.
If you're not one for a gloss, this non-drying, flake-free Liquid Matte Lipstick delivers a densely-pigmented formula that glides on effortlessly before drying to a colour that doesn't budge an inch.
Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick, $18.00 $15.30 Buy
This dual-ended eyeliner features a liquid tip and a creamy pencil - key tools to deliver a trustworthy cat-eye with supreme staying power.
Huda Beauty Life Liner Duo Pencil & Liquid Eyeliner, $22.00 $18.70 Buy
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