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Home • ESSENCE Best in Black Beauty Awa

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup

These all-time favorite makeup products keep our faces beat and ready for the camera. 
By Essence · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Iconic Makeup

The ESSENCE beauty team and a select group of pros picked their all-time favorite makeup products. 

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
02
L’Oréal Paris Original Voluminous Mascara

“I’ve used this for more than a decade and  it never fails. It’s a brilliant formula that separates and plumps without flaking or smudging.” —Monifa Mortis

$7, Target

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
03
Dior DiorShow Mascara in Catwalk Black

“I really love the way it glides on, giving a very lush look without clumping.” —Renee Garnes 

$25, dior.com

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
04
Nars Blushes in Orgasm and Exhibit A

“Orgasm is a beautiful shimmery, peach-pink that goes with everything and looks amazing layered on top of bronzer.” —Carola Gonzalez

$30 each, narscosmetics.com

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
05
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

“These liquid foundations offer amazing buildable coverage that really looks like skin and lasts all day.” —Monifa Mortis

$62, armanibeauty.com

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
06
Stila Lip Glaze

“Stila has been changing the lip game for years. They created these twist-up glosses when everyone else was stuck on wands.” —Nykia Spradley

$22 each, stilacosmetics.com

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
07
Iman Cosmetics Second to None Cream to Powder Foundation

“These foundations give great coverage and don’t feel heavy.” —Ashunta Sheriff

$16, Target

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
08
Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner

“It is creamy, long–wearing and glides on like a dream.” —Nick Barose

$25 each, bobbibrowncosmetics.com

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
09
Black Opal Flawless Perfecting Concealer

“It provides excellent coverage in a wide range of warm and cool colors.” —Porsche Cooper

$5, Walmart

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
10
MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Ruby Woo

“It’s a universal color for all women. I’ve used this red lipstick on every skin tone from Rita Ora’s to Angela Bassett’s.” —Renee Garnes

$16, maccosmetics.com

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup
11
Urban Decay Naked Palette

“I use this palette almost daily. I love the color range for neutral eyes. Plus, the darker shades allow for a little bit of drama.” —Ashunta Sheriff 

$54, urbandecay.com

Black Beauty Icons: Makeup