black UP Foundation Guide: Shades, Undertones, Formulas & More!

It took me a while to decide how I wanted to present black UP‘s range of foundations to you (I already did individual reviews of the Fluid Foundation and the CC Cream) and finally decided that it be best to post a guide to the shades and different formulas and then have individual reviews of any of the foundations they sent me. So understand this post is just a guide to help you figure out your shade and that I’ll have reviews of most of the foundations up soon :)

Keep the black UP tag bookmarked so you can see all my reviews on the French high end beauty brand for women of color.

OK say if you’re not familiar with black UP you’re in for quite a treat. These past few weeks were my first experiences with the brand and I have to say I’m very impressed with a vast majority of what I’ve tried. The quality is great, the color choices are great, and it’s overall a great quality brand that caters to all women of color.

Now foundation is where I think the brand likes to show out…lol. In their Full Coverage Foundation they have 15 shades—but these are all shades made to cater the skin tones and undertones of women of color from fair to very deep. You don’t see so many shades and undertones like this in many brands—even the brands that have a good amount of shades for women of color. I can’t even do a MAC equivalent to help you figure out your shade because there’s just too many undertones to say XYZ black UP shade is MAC NW45, etc, ya know? I also think many of you who do have tan and deeper skin will find that you have a more exact match at black UP than what you might already be using.

What’s also cool about black UP is that they offer foundation swatch cards with three shades on each card that you can order from the site. They’re $3.50 each (or $10 for all shades) and ship for free AND if you decide to buy a black UP foundation, the money you spent on the cards goes toward your foundation. black UP sent me most of the cards and then I ordered the two lightest shades so I can show you the full range of 15 shades in the Full Coverage Foundation.

Here’s what they look like:

Note:
HC01 -> Light skin -> Golden undertone
HC03 -> Light skin -> Copper undertone
HC04 -> Medium skin -> Golden undertone
HC05 -> Medium skin -> Copper undertone
HC07 -> Medium dark skin -> Golden undertone
HC08 -> Medium dark skin -> Copper undertone
HC10 -> Dark skin -> Golden undertone
HC11 -> Dark skin -> Copper undertone
HC13 -> Dark skin -> Golden undertone
HC14 -> Dark skin -> Copper undertone
HC15 -> Dark skin -> Golden undertone

(Copper means “red” here in case you’re like “huh?” lol)

My best advice to you if you’re looking at this and still can’t make heads or tails is to match up these swatches with a foundation you have at home and if all else fails, order the swatch cards.

Here’s a breakdown of each what each foundation formula is and does…

Matifying Foundation

black|Up Cosmetics Matifying Foundation gives even the oiliest of skins an unrivalled matte finish, leaving skin perfectly even, incredibly soft and velvety, while completely concealing imperfections with its full and complete coverage.

Formulated to meet the needs of ethnic skins which tend to be on the oily side, its ingredients include a Matifying Active Concentrate and Talc for an even shine-free finish, as well as our unique Soft Focus technology, which reduces the appearance of imperfections for an incredibly even, yet luminous complexion.

A Silicone complex gives this unique formula a silky texture, providing easy application that glides right on and lasts all day. Enriched with Vitamin E to ensure the ultimate in comfort, with an unbelievably soft feel.

• Soft-focus technology reduces the appearance of imperfections for an even, luminous complexion
• Oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free
• For all skins, especially combination to oily ones
• Due to the high concentration of matifying ingredients, we do not recommend using Matifying Base in conjunction with this product. Try Complexion Enhancer as a make up enhancer for added radiance & luminosity

CC Cream Multi-Action

Complexion Correcting Foundation
black|Up develops the 1st CC Cream targeting dark skin’s specific needs : excess sebum, uneven skintone, unbalanced skin, lack of radiance, dark spots, more or less pigmented areas… This Complexion Correcting Foundation moisturizes, matifies, targets dark spots, blemishes, minimizes pores and unifies the complexion. Its fluid texture offers a lightweight very natural finish.

Use as a makeup primer to hydrate and treat your skin while increasing makeup hold and offering a more even complexion.

5 shades suitable for all black and mixed skins.

Oil Free, Paraben Free, Fragrance Free.

SPF free formula. 100% no ashy finish guarantee because sun filters are made with white base ingredients that systematicaly turns grey on dark skins.

Two Way Cake

This 2-in-1 compact pressed powder glides easily over skin to provide a flawless, natural matte finish.

Can be used as a foundation for medium, adjustable coverage or as a finishing powder over foundation for matte and perfected skin. Contains Vitamins A & E to help skin look smooth and naturally beautiful. Our colors are carefully chosen for ethnic skin tones for a stunning, natural look.

• To use as foundation, apply with damp sponge for an even complexion with adjustable coverage
• To use as a pressed powder, apply with a makeup brush all over face for a matte, velvety finish
• Perfect for touch ups throughout the day
• Includes sponge and mirror
• Fragrance-free

Loose Powder

With an exceptionally silky and fine texture, this loose powder assures a velvety matte finish, perfecting the complexion and giving makeup exceptional hold.

Contains precious plant-based minerals that cover the skin with an incredibly soft, invisible veil. May be used over any of our foundations.

• Leaves skin matte with a natural-looking finish
• Dust liberally over face as a last step in your make up routine to set make up and keep it in place
• Pat small amount of powder over eyelids with fingertips after foundation to maximize eyeshadow hold

Click Pen Concealer

This concealer neatly and imperceptibly covers blemishes and imperfections. With just one click, this lightweight formula containing silica combines a fluid texture with a full-coverage matte finish that is virtually undetectable.

Practical and chic, this elegant pen applicator delivers the ideal amount of flawless coverage in just one click. Fits easily into your handbag to be used for touchups throughout the day.

• Fluid, invisible, maximum coverage ensures a matte, flawless finish
• Brush pen dispenses the right amount of product in just one click.
• Opt for one shade lighter than your skin tone to add radiance to eyes and perfect the concealing effect.
• Use before foundation to conceal imperfections or over foundation to add radiance

Fluid Foundation

This moderate coverage second-skin foundation has an ultra-light, oil-free texture that is virtually undetectable, giving dull, tired complexions a radiant, luminous glow with a matte finish and long-lasting finish.

Available in an exceptional range of natural-looking shades that respond to the needs of ethnic women, to embellish and perfect skin with the utmost discretion.

• Gives radiant luminosity to a dull, tired complexion
• Light texture that moisturizes skin
• Oil-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free
• Mix small amount of Fluid Foundation with your day cream to accentuate skin’s natural radiance and for a more natural look

Full Coverage Cream Foundation

Dark spots, scars, flaws and blemishes… This new foundation hides the most severe imperfections to create a flawless complexion without caking.

Its innovative formula and creamy texture perfectly conceals flaws and blemishes for a totally smooth looking skin.

Enriched in extremely fine, micronized pigments, the Full Coverage Cream Foundation offers an even make up in extremely pure and vibrant colors.

15 new shades. Oil Free and Fragrance Free.

Cream to Powder Foundation – New Formula

The One and Only!
This foundation is a true must have. When applied to skin, its unique creamy texture transforms into a silky powder with an impeccable matte finish. Its formula is enriched with latest-generation matifying powders to get rid of sebum in the blink of an eye. The complexion looks smooth, radiant with a perfect velvety finish.

Its unique texture is very easy to apply with a sponge or a brush and is completely buildable, from a light powdery veil to complete coverage.

Oil Free, Paraben Free, and Fragrance Free.

Foundation CHart

This is handy if you know your shade in one black | UP foundation to be able to find its match among the other formulations. Click each image to enlarge.

Stay tuned for more black | UP foundation reviews! Keep this post bookmarked to help you figure out your foundation shade. Also see which black | UP reviews you might have missed!