Yes, there are some great beauty brands who have created the world’s best foundation shades for darker skin tones.
Bondi Beauty’s beauty editors answers your beauty questions for this weeks Q&A on which are the best foundations for darker skin tones, and which face exfoliator is best; granulated or non-granulated.
If you have a question, email us at bondibeauty@mail.com and we will feature your question and answer fortnightly.
Dear Bondi Beauty,
I am Indian and have dark skin and I have been struggling for a while now, to find the right foundation shade which will not only match my skin tone, but compliment it as well. Can you suggest any brands who have created a wide range of darker skin tones foundations to help me achieve this?
Savanni, Drummoyne
Hi Savanni,
Thanks to brands like Loreal, Fenty Beauty and even Sephora , there is a wide range of darker shades available for many shades of skin tones.
Beauty Blender is another brand who have a fabulous foundation range called Bounce, which is available in a variety of shades, from the lightest of all, the deep sexy dark brown. So definitely check them out as well.
The best way to get colour matched is to visit either a Mecca or Sephora location where they will colour match you with a foundation brand who has a wide variety of shades to help you find the right foundation.
This is usually tested on the neck area, rather than the face. As the neck is your true colour. And let’s be honest, if your foundation doesn’t blend well into your neck line, then you’ll end up with a lovely line of mismatched colours around your face.
Fenty Beauty by singer Rhianna does have one of the widest range of foundation tones available at present, so definitely start there. Also sold at Sephora, Fenti have a beauty specialist on hand who will help you get colour matched.
Dear Bondi Beauty,
I’ve been told that you don’t need to use a granulated exfoliating scrub on the face to remove dead skin cells, and that there are other types which are non-scrub which work just as well. Is this true and can you recommend some good non granulated ones to use?
Michel, Castle Hill
Hi Michel,
That’s right, there are a variety of facial exfoliators which aren’t granulated and can be used daily to cleanse away dirt, grim and dead skin cells.
These exfoliants often use Enzymes or Glycolic ingredients instead, which are designed to work as a two step skincare process, of cleansing your skin, whilst exfoliating at the same time. Some of these are designed to either be used once daily or twice daily, where others may be ideal three times a week – depending on how potent the enzyme or glycolic component is.
We recommend Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3 for sensitive skin types. It is a liquid formulation that uses salicylic acid and witch hazel to help smooth skin without scrubbing, and can be used daily in the morning and the evening.
For less sensitive skin types, Skinstitute Glycolic Cleanser is another great product. It 12% glycolic to remove dead skin cells, so should only be used once daily, as the glycolic component of this cleanser is very strong.
One of the best non-scrub and non-granulated exfoliants for any skin type is Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant which is gentle leave-on exfoliant with salicylic acid that quickly unclogs pores, smooths wrinkles, brightens and evens out skin tone.
Our Fave Beauty Product of the Week:
Enbacci Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Scrub RRP $45
We all love a Microderm facial treatment, and nothing makes us happier, knowing more and more brands are beginning to launch their own version of an almost as good clinical micro treatment, which can be delivered through excellent scrubs for home, without having to use any expensive equipment at home, or spend too much at a clinic.
Of course, there is no replacement for a good clinical micro treatment, but to know there are products available which give a nearly the next best thing is comforting when money and time is short.
Designed to exfoliate away dead skin cells and impurities, to reveal a brighter, more radiant and healthier glow, Enbacci use a unique combination of Stearic Acid, Butyrospernum Parkii Butter and Caprylic triglyceride, which is an ingredient used in soaps and cosmetics.
This ingredient is usually made from combining coconut oil with glycerin and has been used for more then fifty years in the beauty industry as a polishing ingredient for clearer and smoother skin, this micro scrub for the face has become a favourite amongst the BB team.
