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Achieving a truly glam look can be more challenging if you’ve got a deeper skin tone. The hard truth is that the beauty industry could be more inclusive. Though it’s definitely improved by leaps and bounds—Rihanna’s makeup brand, for example, released so many foundation shades when it launched that it inspired others to do the same through “the Fenty effect”—brown and black girlies boast different hair types, undertones, and more that companies still don’t design products for as often.

As a result, black consumers alone are three times more likely to be dissatisfied with the options available to them in terms of hair care, skin care, and makeup products. Women of color have to travel further than white consumers just to find the items they need. Most of the time, specialized products for deeper skin and textured hair are out of stock. As a result, more women tend to conform by straightening their hair and lightening their skin.

Fortunately, you can still find ways to embrace your natural beauty despite these limitations. Here are some essential tips that can help you perfect that brown and black girl glam—from your hair all the way to your cuticles.

Hair: care for your curls

Credit: Khadija Dawn Carryl on Flickr via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 – no changes were made to the image.

Hair tends to curl up in warmer climates, which is why many women of African, South American, and South Indian descent have wavy and curly locks. Though unique in structure, they’re also more prone to frizz—which is why you may be partial to straightening them. To truly embrace the natural texture of your hair, though, consider defining your curls, instead. First, don’t use too much product. Relying on a number of creams, gels, and masks can tame your curls, but it can also cause product buildup and result in dullness. Instead, try a hair care product like the Ouidad Curl Reboot Nourish and Strength Leave-in Mask. Apply enough of it while your hair is wet so it sounds “squishy,” which means it’s hydrated enough for styling. From here, use a hair diffuser to further define your natural curl pattern. Use the lowest heat and pressure setting to help each curl set beautifully without causing frizz. You’ll end up with a gorgeous head of hair that perfectly exudes brown and black girl glam!

Skin: create a flawless base

Glam looks need a flawless base for your makeup. The best way to achieve that is with healthy skin. However, women of color need to address unique issues to get the best glow possible. Notably, your skin naturally contains lower amounts of ceramides, which are responsible for smoothness and hydration. You’re also more likely to have an uneven complexion, which can be caused by everything from sun exposure and hormones to simply how acne scars look on deeper skin. That’s why you’ll want to get skin care and beauty products that address these specific concerns. Consider starting out with the likes of SERIOUS SKINCARE’s C Clean Facial Cleanser and Dr. Denese’s HydroShield Dream Cream. Cleansers and moisturizers are the absolute essentials you’ll need for a basic regimen, and these products contain key ingredients like Vitamin C and ceramides that are crucial for hydrating your skin and brightening your complexion. With the right prep, you’ll be a step closer to perfecting that glam look.

Makeup: know your undertone

Credit: @glow_bymonica and @my_pawfect_family on Instagram

Finding the perfect foundation match isn’t the only makeup hurdle brown and black girlies need to overcome. Color theory means a single shade can look drastically different on two people—even if they have similar skin tones. That’s because of your undertone. You can figure out what yours is by looking at the veins on your wrist. Green veins are warm, blue veins are cool, and a mix of the two implies a neutral undertone. Big makeup companies often don’t offer products like foundation and concealer in enough deeper shades to cover different undertones, so you may want to turn to black-owned makeup brands like Serena Williams’ WYN BEAUTY to find your perfect match. The line offers face, lip, and eye makeup in over 91 different shades to include a diverse range of undertones, so you’re more likely to find the products you need. From here, it’ll be simple to choose shades for eyeshadow, blush, highlighter, and more: match your undertone. If it’s warm, orange and golden hues work best. Cool undertone? Try blues and purples. Meanwhile, neutral undertones pair well with earthy hues like brown and beige.

Nails: go easy on manicures

Getting a manicure is often a go-to for self-care, especially since women of color play a significant role in shaping nail art trends—in fact, they make up the majority of the country’s nail technicians. If you’re thinking of using one to top off the glam look you’ve achieved through hair, skin, and makeup, though, make sure you’re not overdoing it. Our post on cuticle care notes that frequent manicures can damage your nails, especially if they involve cuticle trimming or using products with harsh chemicals. To prevent that, make sure you or your technician uses wooden or rubber-tipped tools instead of metal ones when handling your cuticles. You’ll also want to moisturize them often with lotion or dedicated products like L’Occitane’s Shea Nail and Cuticle Oil. These steps will keep your nails healthy while promoting further growth, so you have more room for nail art that’ll perfect your brown and black girl glam aesthetic! To avoid chemical damage, consider looking at the clean beauty polishes designed specifically by women of color. Those from DEMIblue, for example, are vegan and vitamin-rich. They also come in different colors to suit your preferences. For the best effect, consider using shades that, like your makeup, match your undertone.