For a long time, finding makeup that genuinely works for melanin-rich skin could feel like a compromise.
Foundation ranges stopped at medium. “Deep” shades often had undertones that were too orange, too red or simply not suited to the complexity of darker skin. Nude lipsticks were frequently based on one narrow interpretation of what “nude” meant. And some highly pigmented products simply did not show up the way they were supposed to on deeper skin tones.
Thankfully, the beauty industry has been changing.
But representation isn’t simply about putting a darker shade on a colour chart. True makeup inclusivity means creating products that consider the diversity of skin tones, undertones and beauty preferences of the people actually wearing them.
That is one of the reasons I recommend Farmasi to my community.
My community looks like me. And when I recommend a beauty brand, I want to know that the products are designed with a genuinely diverse customer base in mind.
The Problem With One-Size-Fits-All Makeup
Melanin-rich skin isn’t one colour.
There are countless variations between deep, rich brown, ebony, caramel, golden, reddish and neutral complexions. Even people with similarly deep skin tones can have completely different undertones.
That’s why simply offering a few darker foundation shades doesn’t automatically make a makeup range inclusive.
A good foundation match needs to consider:
Depth — how light or deep the complexion is
Undertone — warm, cool, neutral or combinations of these
Finish — matte, natural, luminous or dewy
Oxidation — how the product may change in appearance after application
Texture — how the foundation interacts with the individual’s skin
For women with melanin-rich skin, getting the right combination can make the difference between makeup that looks seamless and makeup that looks visibly like makeup.
And this is where the conversation around representation needs to go beyond advertising.
Representation Is About More Than Marketing
A beauty brand can feature women of colour in its campaigns and still leave customers struggling to find suitable products.
True representation should extend throughout the product experience.
That means asking:
Are there enough shades?
Do those shades cover different undertones?
Do lip colours remain visible and flattering across deeper complexions?
Do eyeliners and other colour products have enough pigmentation to create the intended effect?
Can customers from different parts of the world actually access the products?
These questions matter because beauty is personal.
What works beautifully on one complexion may look completely different on another.
Why Farmasi Stands Out to Me
Farmasi has a genuinely international presence, with customers and beauty communities across regions including Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia.
That global perspective is important.
Rather than viewing beauty through the lens of a single market, Farmasi has developed a broad portfolio spanning skincare, makeup, personal care, fragrance and wellness.
For someone looking for makeup for melanin-rich skin, that diversity is particularly relevant.
It means the conversation isn’t simply about whether a product looks good on one demographic. It’s about creating beauty products for people with different complexions, preferences and beauty traditions.
And that is exactly the kind of approach I want to support.
Farmasi VFX Pro Camera Ready Foundation
One of the Farmasi products that gets my attention when talking about complexion makeup is the VFX Pro Camera Ready Foundation.
Foundation is arguably where representation matters most.
If the base doesn’t match your complexion, everything else can become more difficult. A beautiful lipstick or eye look can’t completely compensate for a foundation that is noticeably mismatched.
The VFX Pro range offers multiple shades designed to provide different complexion options, making it easier for customers to explore a shade that works with their individual skin tone and undertone.
Why Undertone Matters for Melanin-Rich Skin
Two people can have equally deep skin tones but completely different undertones.
One person might have a warm golden undertone. Another might lean neutral, red or cool.
Choosing only according to how light or dark your skin appears isn’t always enough.
When selecting foundation, consider whether your skin generally appears:
Golden or yellow
Warm or reddish
Neutral
Cool
A combination of undertones
This is particularly important with deeper complexions because an unsuitable undertone can make foundation appear noticeably orange, grey or ashy.
The goal isn’t simply to find a foundation that is “dark enough.”
The goal is to find one that looks like your skin.
Finding Your Perfect Foundation Match
If you’re shopping for foundation, don’t automatically choose the shade based solely on the colour shown on a screen.
Whenever possible, test the product against the jawline or the area where your face meets your neck.
Look at the shade in natural lighting and give the product a little time to settle.
You want to assess:
Depth — Does it disappear into your complexion?
Undertone — Does it look too yellow, red, orange, pink or grey?
Finish — Does the finish suit your skin and preferred makeup style?
Wear — How does it look after you’ve worn it for a while?
The right match should enhance your complexion rather than sitting visibly on top of it.
Lipstick for Melanin-Rich Skin
Let’s talk about lipstick.
Because this is another area where beauty marketing has historically been far too narrow.
The idea of a “nude” lipstick has often been based on a relatively limited range of skin tones.
But nude isn’t one colour.
For someone with a deeper complexion, a flattering nude might be caramel, brown, terracotta, rose-brown, chocolate or another warm or neutral shade.
And sometimes the perfect nude isn’t a pale beige at all.
Farmasi Lip Colours
Farmasi’s lipstick and lip gloss collections include a broad selection of colours that can be explored across different complexions.
For melanin-rich skin, some particularly versatile colour families include:
Rich reds for a classic statement lip
Deep berries for evening looks
Warm browns for everyday makeup
Caramel and brown-based nudes for understated looks
Plum and wine tones for richer, dramatic finishes
Glossy neutral shades for a more natural appearance
The important thing is not to assume that a shade marketed as “nude” will automatically work for everyone.
Your perfect nude should complement your complexion.
Why Pigmentation Matters
Colour payoff is particularly important when applying makeup to deeper skin tones.
A shade that looks highly pigmented on a lighter complexion may appear considerably more subtle on deeper skin.
That’s why pigmentation matters with products such as:
Eyeliner
Eyeshadow
Lipstick
Lip gloss
Blush
Highlighter
Farmasi’s makeup range includes highly pigmented colour products designed to provide visible colour payoff, giving customers more flexibility when creating their desired look.
Farmasi Eyeliner on Deeper Skin
Eyeliner is one of those products where pigmentation can make a huge difference.
Black should look black.
Brown should look brown.
And colourful eyeliner should actually show up as the colour you intended.
For deeper complexions, sufficiently pigmented eyeliner can help create defined eye looks without repeatedly layering product simply to make the colour visible.
That makes it easier to move from a subtle daytime look to something more dramatic for an evening event.
Makeup Should Enhance Your Skin — Not Hide It
There is another important part of the melanin-rich skin conversation.
Your complexion doesn’t need to be corrected simply because it is deep.
Makeup should be about enhancement, creativity and self-expression.
Whether you prefer:
A full-glam foundation
A lightweight everyday base
Bold red lipstick
Brown nude lips
Dramatic eyeliner
Minimal makeup
Soft natural beauty
Or something completely experimental
the products should work with your complexion rather than forcing you to conform to someone else’s definition of beauty.
That’s what inclusive beauty should mean.
And Then There’s Fragrance
Makeup isn’t the only part of a beauty routine where individuality matters.
Farmasi also has an extensive Eau de Parfum fragrance collection, giving customers a wide range of scent profiles to explore.
Fragrance can behave differently from person to person because factors such as skin chemistry, temperature and application method can influence how a scent develops and how long it lasts.
This is why the same perfume can smell subtly different on two people.
Rather than thinking about fragrance as something that simply smells the same on everyone, I prefer to think of it as part of your individual beauty identity.
Your skin, your body chemistry and your environment all contribute to how a fragrance develops.
And with Farmasi’s diverse fragrance collection, there is plenty of room to find a scent that feels like you.
Why Global Availability Matters
Another reason I appreciate Farmasi is its international reach.
The brand is available in 125+ countries, creating opportunities for customers and beauty entrepreneurs across different parts of the world to engage with the brand.
For African consumers and other customers who have historically had limited access to certain international beauty brands, accessibility matters.
Representation means more when people can actually access the products being represented.
It’s one thing to see yourself in a campaign.
It’s another thing to walk into your beauty routine and find products that genuinely work for you.
Beauty Should Reflect the People Buying It
The beauty industry has made significant progress, but there is still work to do.
Women of colour shouldn’t have to accept:
Foundations that are too orange
“Deep” shades that don’t go deep enough
Nudes that wash out their complexion
Eyeliner that disappears
Beauty campaigns where representation feels like an afterthought
We deserve products that recognise the diversity of real people.
And we deserve to be treated as a core part of the beauty market — not a niche audience.
Who Is Farmasi Makeup For?
Farmasi is worth exploring if you’re looking for:
Makeup options across different skin tones
Foundation choices for deeper complexions
Pigmented lip and eye products
Everyday and statement makeup
Affordable beauty products
A broad fragrance collection
A globally available beauty brand
Makeup that gives you room to experiment with your individual style
As always, finding the right product is personal. Skin tone, undertone, skin type, preferred finish and individual preferences all matter.
My Approach to Beauty: Representation + Choice
For me, recommending Farmasi isn’t about saying that one beauty brand is perfect for everyone.
It’s about supporting a brand whose global reach and broad product range make it possible for more people to participate in beauty on their own terms.
I want the women in my community to have choices.
Choices in foundation.
Choices in lipstick.
Choices in fragrance.
Choices in skincare.
And, most importantly, choices about how they want to express themselves.
Because melanin-rich skin isn’t something makeup needs to work around. It’s something makeup should celebrate.
Final Thoughts
The future of beauty needs to be genuinely inclusive.
That means moving beyond token representation and creating products that acknowledge the incredible diversity of skin tones, undertones and beauty preferences around the world.
For me, Farmasi is a brand worth exploring because its international presence, broad makeup range and focus on a global customer base align with the kind of beauty industry I want to see.
Whether you’re searching for a foundation match, experimenting with a new lipstick, looking for highly visible eyeliner or building your fragrance collection, there are plenty of options to explore.
And if you’re part of my community, you already know why this matters to me.
My community looks like me — and I want the brands I recommend to recognise us.
Shop Farmasi for Your Skin Tone
Ready to explore makeup, skincare, fragrance and more?
Shop Farmasi through my ambassador page and discover products that can become part of your own beauty routine.
→ Shop Farmasi through my ambassador page: farmasi.co.uk/drclareao
Beauty is personal. Your complexion is unique, and the best makeup choices are the ones that make you feel confident, comfortable and completely yourself.