There are ways to make your skin look darker quickly and easily. In this post, I will share some techniques to help you make your skin darker.
I’ve included a tutorial that you can use to make your face look darker with makeup. If you’re looking for results overnight for your whole body, I’ve included some information on using self tanning lotions or spray tans.
If you don’t want to do any tanning and would rather go though a natural route, I connected with Dr. Boyer of Farr Institute and asked him to share his best tips for getting darker skin naturally.
Contents
How To Make Your Skin Look Darker with Makeup
The easiest way to make your skin look darker with makeup is to apply a makeup foundation that is 1 shade darker than your natural skin tone. To achieve a natural look, apply the darker foundation to the center of your face and then blend it outwards.
A darker foundation shade is applied only to the center of your face because that is the brightest part of your face when someone looks at you from the front. The sides of your face reflect less light into their eyes so it appears darker. By darkening the center of your face, you create an illusion that you have a darker skin tone.
Note that this method is intended to make your skin tone a shade darker in order to maintain a natural complexion. It’s possible to use a foundation that is darker than 1 shade but the results may look unnatural. This of course also depends on the foundation you are using and the shades that are available.
What You Will Need:
Foundation – Choose one that is 1 shade darker than your natural skin tone
Bronzing Powder (Optional) – Choose one that is 1 or 2 shades darker than your natural skin tone. Bronzing powder is a common makeup used to give dark skin a golden, sun-kissed glow.
Applicator – Beauty Blender or Brush
Follow these 3 simple steps:
Step 1 – Apply your primer, concealer and foundation as you normally would. Use your normal shades that best match your natural skin tone. If need more help with this step, check out my complete primer, concealer and foundation application guide.
Step 2 – Apply your dark foundation to the center of your face by dabbing it on your forehead, bridge of your nose, under your eyes and chin. Blend the foundation into your skin with a beauty blender or foundation brush.
Step 3 (Optional) – Gently dust the bronzer on the center of your face. Apply to the same areas that you applied your dark foundation like your forehead, nose, under your eyes and chin. Also apply a light layer to on your cheeks. This gives an illusion of a sun-tanned complexion.
How to Make your Skin Look Darker Naturally Without Tanning
You can make your skin look darker without tanning or makeup by eating a diet rich in carotenoids or applying natural oils like cocoa oils.
To get a better understanding of this topic, I connected with Dr. Boyer of Farr Institute. Dr. Boyer is a practicing Doctor of medicine with a focus on medical research.
Dr. Boyer suggests the following ways may help make your skin to look darker naturally and without tanning:
Diet and supplements – Considering foods rich in carotenoids like tomatoes, carrots, and spinach or beta-carotene tablets supplement may help make your skin develop a subtle orange shade that looks like tan. However, you should take these foods in moderation and only consider taking supplements after consulting your doctor.
Natural oils – Some naturally existing oils like cocoa and Emu oil, not only act as moisturizers to make your skin have a youthful appearance but also increase melanin production in your skin. Melanin is the black pigment on the skin that makes the skin tone have a darker tan.
How to Get Darker Skin Overnight
The quickest way to get darker skin overnight is to use self-tanning lotions and tanning sprays.
Self Tanning Lotions – This is my favorite option because you can do it at home for quick results. Self tanning lotions contain a color additive called dihydroxyacetone (DHA). When applied to the skin, DHA reacts with dead skin cells at the surface of the skin to temporarily darken them. This creates a tanned appearance which usually lasts a few days.
Tanning Sprays – Similar to tanning lotions, tanning sprays contain dihydroxyacetone which can make your skin temporarily darker when applied. The benefit of using a tanning spray over a lotion is that you’ll get a much more even finish.
Going to a spray tanning studio is a good choice if you want to get the job done right. However, you can also do this at home as well. You don’t need a spray gun it’s easier than you think. There are spray tan bottles that you can purchase online and they are easy to apply.
Note: Using tanning beds is a great option but results are not immediate and you’ll less likely see results overnight. Most people see initial results after a few tanning sessions and it will take several weeks of regular tanning to get a good result