Sam Fine may ruffle a few feathers with his brutal honesty, but trust us, he means no harm.
Fashion Bomb Daily landed an exclusive interview with the celebrity makeup artist and Fashion Fair Creative Makeup Director and when they asked the beauty guru the one area where black women need to step their game up he didn’t hold his tongue:
“I think the biggest beauty mistake is really not wearing makeup.”
Let him explain. “I think the biggest beauty mistake is not understanding how to enhance your beauty,” Sam added. “And I think a lot of [women of color] are scared that makeup is going to make [them] look fake, ‘It’s not gonna look like me, they’re not going to have my color.’ I think that they just tend to step away from the category when a brand like Fashion Fair, is releasing a liquid foundation in July to add to the range of colors. Nineteen shades! There will be 17 shades in liquid! And if you look at that, that’s not a range that’s broken up for general market vs. African Americans. So you really are getting a wealth of coverage options and colors. I think the biggest mistake is not participating in the game at all.”
That’s a good point. With it being so hard to find your perfect shade in an industry catering to white beauty without spending big bucks, most black women do opt to forgo makeup altogether. They also tend to think they’re going to look too made up or overdone and if their mother’s don’t wear makeup, they’re usually slow to dabble into it later down the line.
The good thing is Sam doesn’t believe it takes a face full of makeup to enhance your natural beauty. In fact, he can narrow down just five key things women should have in their makeup bags to put their best face forward, and they’re not overpowering.
“Pressed powder, mascara, and lip gloss, because I think those things aren’t intimidating,” he said. “Once you get past the shade of powder, I think that becomes easy to apply. But if I had to go two steps further, I always start out with some kind of a coverage product. A concealer, or a foundation that you can use as a concealer. Underneath the eyes is the thinnest area of skin, so you really want to make sure that any redness or discoloration can be covered. Also powder. Powder’s going to set the foundation or the concealer so it can stay on longer. I always say powder is to foundation what topcoat is to nail polish. It really holds it in place and keeps it from rubbing off and settling in fine lines.”
That doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
I think people should be free to choose whether or not they want to “enhance” their look with make-up. It definitely should not be a requirement. I haven’t worn makeup in years- why wear liquid foundation in July when you have clear skin?
I agree w/you.
Of course he thinks black women should wear more makeup. He works for Fashion Fair. Next?
ikr?
lmao.
very true… I wear makeup during the work week, but on the weekend it’s just gloss, concealer (if needed) and liner and mascara. especially in the summer, it’s too hot for foundation. But honestly, some eyelinder and mascara go a long way.
Chile I do eyeliner, mascara, and some type of lip color and that really is all I prefer to wear. You can do alot with eyeliner and mascara alone.
Mascara…I save the makeup for when I really need it. Natural beauty always wins!
I haven’t noticed black women not wearing makeup, from what I’ve seen they do. What I personally think black women need to step up is their style game. Pay attention to what’s going on in fashion, expand their horizons and where they shop and step it up when they’re working out or running errands as well. No more sweats and baggy tees how about a cute little workout outfit that works for their particular body type. That’s what I’d like to see more black women doing…. getting their fashion on.
As for makeup, most black women don’t need all that much and many don’t need any. Just shape the brows and use good skin care and a lot of black women are good. Darker skinned women don’t have all the flaws that lighter races have. No offense, but it’s true.
I will say for me unless I’m going to a night event the only makeup I need is a foundation, concealer and powder and I fill in my brows. I have a little acne so I need to cover it up. My lips are already pigmented and I have dark lash lines and a dark tan complexion so I don’t need blush, eyeliner and all that other stuff. Why wear a bunch of makeup if you don’t need it for your features to stand out?
That’s just it. Black women see make up as event driven. They say, ” I only wear make up when….” Or I hear..”well I have clear skin so I don’t need make up.” It’s ok. Sure but u look boring w/o something. Make up makes u look polished. And from his perspective why should make up companies invest in us when we don’t even where make up? bare is good up to a certain age but those who know do.
You make a good point. I believe it comes down to individual choice whether a woman wants to wear makeup or not.
But I find that makeup can enhance a person’s natural beauty. Some women don’t see it that way. I used to think I was ugly without any makeup at all when I was a teenager. That wasn’t the most healthy attitude. Now that I’m older, I don’t think so anymore. But I still like to play up my eyes and lips sometimes because I definitely notice a difference in the way I look/feel.
Some women view makeup as piles of foundation and a whole bunch of other stuff, but they don’t realize you can keep it simple.
I agree with u too. I’m a make up Nazi and love what it can do.
I wear it pretty regularly – at work, to run errands most of the time, definitely to go out. The only time I don’t put it on is if I’m dashing out quickly, going to see my mom or going to the gym. Just discovered blush within the last 2 years, makes a hell of a difference in terms of feeling pulled together & polished (MAC mineralize blush in Warm Soul is all I’ll ever need, love it). Mainstays are foundation, mascara, blush & something on the lips. Occasionally I’ll dust my nose w/ a bronzer to kill shine (it’s not as dull as most powders) & if I really feel like it I’ll do my eyes (liner, shadow) but that’s usually just when I’m going out or I’m ahead of schedule. I love makeup, makes me feel cute
Of course a professional makeup artist is gonna say we “need” makeup. That’s what keeps him employed, lol.
Personally, I don’t do foundation or powder…I don’t have oily skin and I also live in a hot climate where too much makeup would be icky.
My daily makeup is pretty simple. I like L’oreal Voluminous mascara and pink or red lip gloss/lipstick. I might add some brown eyeliner once in a while.
I went completely makeup-free for about two years, but I feel more confident with a lil sumthin’ on my face.
I have very sensitive skin and I can’t put a lot of stuff on it anyway.
I know makeup is a personal choice but I had two black female managers that would come to work in suits and hair done with a bare, shiny faces. Lovely skin, but to me, it just looked unfinished like a bit of powder or some gloss or hint of mascara would do wonders.
you are so crazy and its not about looks its about whats inside that counts
1. Whats up with this one size fits all model for all women of color. I love reccomendations but I hate when people try to tell people what to do… Variation should be celebrated. Lifestyle should be reflected… Individuality should be embraced. I enjoy makeup I have a ton of it. Do I need it No probably not. Does that mean that every women should wear makeup? Of course not. You should do what makes you comfortable. Do You…. We should all rebel against this Clone mentality. OMG I am so tired of seeing the same hairstyles the same hair extensions the same hair even when it does not even match the persons features. Horrible… Makeup is my friend but if you dont know what your doing maybe it is good to fall back.
personally, I don’t wear makeup because I don’t know how to put it on or what to buy. I have read so many articles that I am literally clueless.
I don’t wear makeup. Tried it once, didn’t really like it, and it feels like way too much effort! It’s just not for me. Why does this man think he can come along and tell us women what to do with our own skin?!
I wear makeup sometimes, if I have time. I think that mineral face powder is great for protecting your skin from the elements but as for all of the extra, it should certainly be a woman’s choice. Some ladies like to go au naturale and that’s cool too.
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i like to wear mascare and eyeshadow and lipgloss
i like to wear mascara and eyeshadow and lipgloss
I hate the feel of heavy foundation sitting on my skin, plus I don’t need it. Lately, I’ve been loving NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer. Very natural finish, with SPF, and I can’t feel it on my face at all.