If You Can Never Find Your Foundation Color, Sephora Is About to Solve All Your Problems

Expert help at navigating the makeup aisle. | Images via black|Up.

For women of color, finding the perfect foundation shade can be a nearly impossible task. True, there’s long-time drugstore brands like Black Radiance and Black Opal, but most upscale lines just don’t offer a wide enough range of textures and colors suited specifically for darker skin tones. It’s not just everyday women who have to struggle — not too long ago, model Nykhor Paul claimed she had to bring her own makeup to runway shows because the backstage makeup artists weren’t supplied with the cosmetics to accommodate her skin color. One word: unacceptable.

Starting tomorrow, Philly’s beauties of color might be getting the answer they’ve been waiting for: Paris-based black|Up Cosmetics is at Sephora’s Center City today through Saturday to introduce the luxury line. The brand has quickly become known for it’s range of paraben-free, professional-quality makeup developed to meet the specific needs of medium to darker complected women with complex undertones. I’m also talking rich jewel-tone eyeshadows and highly pigmented lip colors that actually complement rather than contrast. 

The low-down: Starting today and going through Saturday Saturday, Sephora shoppers have the chance to receive on-site makeup consultations and learn new application techniques from black|Up’s talent makeup artist and US Sales Director Valerie Saint Amand. Expect plenty of free samples, too. Consider this the end of makeup guesswork.

The Details: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 7pm at Sephora, 1714 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse.