8 Lightweight Foundations That Let Your Melanin Shine Through

Cake face is out & barely there makeup that lets your skin shine through is in. Here are my favorite lightweight foundations for dark skin.
Lightweight Foundations For Dark Skin

I used to think that I had to wear a lot of makeup to achieve a beat face. The more the merrier. I wore layers upon layers of foundation, concealer & powder. And the bright a$$ eyeshadows and lipsticks were the icing on the cake. Well my cake face days are done. These days I’m all about skincare, barely there makeup and lightweight foundations. So I’m going to share with y’all my current favorite lightweight foundations for dark skin. I have oily/combo skin so I typically don’t choose dewy formulas. But formulas that start off matte and wear down to a dewy finish.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Foundation gives medium but buildable coverage, along with a soft matte finish. The foundation melts into the skin for a barely there look, and wears well all day thanks to the climate adapting technology that resists sweat & humidity.

Available in 50 barrier breaking shades.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filter in 440

MAC In My Fashion Lipstick on dark skin
Lightweight Foundations For Dark Skin- Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation

Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Foundation

The Urban Decay Stay Naked Foundation provides buildable, medium coverage. The matte finish looks very natural and mimics real skin. Waterproof & long wearing, the foundation stays put (and looks good) all day.

Available in 50 shades.

Urban Decay Stay Naked in 80NN
(slightly too dark & olive)

Urban Decay Stay Naked Weightless Foundation 80NN
Lightweight Foundations for Dark Skin CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition Foundation

CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition All Day Foundation

The CoverGirl Full Spectrum Matte Ambition Foundation provides light to medium coverage. The natural matte finish wears down to a skin enhancing glow. While oil absorbing powders keeps the look flawless.

Available in 20 shades.

CoverGirl Full Spectrum in Deep Neutral 2

Lightweight Foundations For Dark Skin
Lightweight Foundations for Dark Skin- Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation

The Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation delivers buildable coverage, with a natural looking matte velvet finish. It feels light on and leaves the skin flawless without looking cakey. The foundation does a great job of controlling oil and stays in place all day.

Available in 50 shades.

Lancome Teint Idole in 530 Suede C

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation in 530 Suede C
Dior Face & Body Foundation 6N & 7N Swatches & Review

Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation

The Dior Face & Body Foundation is ultra lightweight with medium coverage. It melts into the skin for a flawless finish, and the sweat resistant formula can be used anywhere on the body. It’s so good that Princess Meghan wore it on her wedding day.

Available in 40 shades.

Dior Face & Body in 6N

Barely There Makeup Fenty Beauty Unveil Stunna Lip Paint and Dior Face & Body Foundation in 6N
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless 338 vs 355

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation

The Maybelline Fit Me Foundation is lightweight with medium coverage. It dries very matte, but wears down into a natural finish. Micro-powders help to control shine while minimizing pores.

Available in 24 shades.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless in 355

maybelline fit me matte + poreless foundation 355 coconut
Becca Skin Love Foundation Review

Becca Skin Love Weightless Blur Foundation

The Becca Skin Love Foundation is super lightweight with medium but buildable coverage. It has a natural finish that mimics healthy, glowing skin. The foundation includes a blend of natural ingredients to help brighten, hydrate & nourish the skin.

Available in 24 shades.

Becca Skin Love in Espresso

Becca Skin Love Foundation In Espresso + Matte Red Lip
Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation

Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation

The Make Up For Ever Water Blend Foundation is lightweight with a water-gel texture. It’s sheer but buildable, and gives the skin a dewy glow. The foundation is formulated with 80% purified water, infused with vitamin B to hydrate & firm skin. It can be used anywhere on the body.

Available in 20 shades.

Make Up For Ever Water Blend in Y505 + R520

Finger Coil Out Fauxhawk on 4C Tapered TWA

Shop lightweight foundations for dark skin

SOME PRODUCT(S) IN THIS POST WERE PROVIDED FOR REVIEW CONSIDERATION. SEE MY DISCLOSURE PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

6 Responses

    1. I honestly don’t have a favorite out of the bunch because I use the different foundations depending on occasion/need. But if I had to choose one, then I’d have to pick the Fenty Pro Filt’r. It looks natural and wears well on my oily skin.

  1. The camera loves you and how could it not? Gorgeous, what do you use to set your foundation is it the same product for all or does it vary?

    1. I actually use different setting powders and sprays depending on the foundation/shade that I’m using.

      1. Apart from the dior backstage, all of these foundations are actually medium to full coverage. What I have noticed is that black women love full coverage. It’s really hard to find someone my skintone to get good recommendations about makeup because I prefer skinlike light to medium coverage and a more natural look.

        1. As the title implies, all of these foundations are lightweight and allow the skin to shine through. They can be applied lightly. The amount of coverage depends on how many layers are applied and how much it’s built up. If you prefer lighter coverage, then you should try a skin tint or CC Cream. I’ve been using the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint this Summer and love it. Very light coverage.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay GLAMOROUS...

GLAM GLEAM WKLY DIGEST

Get a weekly serving of new posts & more!