Happy first #TSABDEdit of the New Year, guys!
If you’re new to the blog or haven’t been on for a while, TSABD Edit is a series that goes in depth on some fo the latest and greatest in beauty with my opinions, swatches, and shoot—even sometimes video demos on dark skin. These type of posts take a lot of time to put together so I really appreciate when you read, share, and leave comments ;)
So let’s get into this!
Sleek MakeUP is a UK-based high street makeup brand that has really awesome and affordable products that cater to a wide array of skin tones. Like seriously, I am amazed when I see a drugstore brand that has several shades deeper than mine and Sleek MakeUP is one of those brands. I had been buying their products from their UK site for yeaaaars and they recently launched in Walgreens and ULTA online and in select stores in the U.S. I could not have been happier—especially when I strolled into my Walgreens in Queens and saw that not only did they have a sizable display with product testers BUT THEY ALSO HAD EVERY SINGLE SHADE OF THEIR FOUNDATIONS on display. LIKE WOW. I was so used to going into drugstores and seeing brands I KNEW had darker shades and only seeing like 10 beiges ones—even in areas heavily populated by Black people. SMH. This is about to be a game changer and I am reaaaaady!
See more Sleek MakeUP product reviews, swatches, and posts here.
I initially bought some shades myself to try out, but then Sleek MakeUP’s team also sent a few additional products for me to try out. The day I bought my products I was so excited to try that I did a trial right on my Instastories (make sure you follow me on IG—we have SO MUCH fun there—like sometimes TOO MUCH fun…lol).
Sleek MakeUP Lifeproof Foundation
Official description:
Sweat-proof
Oil-free
Medium to full buildable coverageLifeproof your look with this foundation that goes the distance. Soft-focus powders create a blurring effect and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines. The oil-free formula can help skin look even and shine-free, whilst imperfections are concealed.
I initially bought shade 19 guessing it would be close to my match (this was the one shade they didn’t have a tester for) since 18 was too light, 20 looked too red and 21 looked too dark. 19 was not a good shade at all…lol. It was too light and too olive toned for me. Sleek MakeUP was kind enough to send shades 20 and 21 because I figured I would have to mix to get a good shade match for me. Now this isn’t considered a bad thing because Sleek MakeUP has 24 shades total so a lot of people will find a match even if I don’t have an exact one. The thing with a medium to full coverage foundation like this one though is that you definitely want to make sure you have the right shade (or mix to get the right shade) because it will be very obvious that you’re wearing the wrong shade (as opposed to lighter coverage foundations where the shades are more flexible). Shade 21 is pretty close since it’s a pretty close undertone match but it’s a bit too dark for me.
The finish on this foundation is amazing. Though it is medium to full with buildable coverage, it still allows skin to look like skin (this is provided you have the right match—if it’s off in undertone, it can make you look sickly–well, that’s with any foundation anyway).
Sleek MakeUP Lifeproof Foundation Video Demo on Dark Skin
I try on shades 20 and 21 in this video. There’s no sound so feel free to watch from almost anywhere.
Sleek MakeUP Lifeproof Foundation Demo on Dark Skin from Danielle Gray on Vimeo.
Bottom line: Sleek MakeUP Lifeproof Foundation has a great 24 shade range and I was so excited to see testers for all 24 shades at my Walgreens. It’s a medium to full buildable coverage foundation but also allows skin to look like skin.
Price and where to buy: about $9.49 at Target.com and about $10.99 at Walgreens.com and select Walgreens stores (though it goes on sale from time to time—it’s $8.49 at the time of my drafting this post AND you can collect Walgreens beauty points on them which turn into money off future purchases—read more here). Remember just about anything online at Walgreens.com can be shipped to a Walgreens store for free.
Sleek MakeUP Vitality Foundation
Official description:
Make every day feel like a great skin day. This lightweight foundation with known hydrating ingredients, including lotus flower, bamboo and water lily extracts can help leave skin looking flawless. Soft-focus powders help smooth the surface of the skin for a more even looking complexion.
Semi-matte finish
Oil-free
Light to medium coverage
I picked up shade 20 as there weren’t any testers at my store and it just looked close enough from the packaging. Lighter weight foundations tend to be more flexible meaning more people can fit into the shades. Shade 20 is a close enough match—I have neutral undertones and shade 20 is a touch red. Though my undertones are neutral, I can take a little bit of red in my foundation sometimes—not too much though or it’ll look off. Since Vitality Foundation is lighter weight it doesn’t look too off although it might be a better match for me when I tan (I tend to get red in undertone when I tan).
I like the healthy skin look this foundation gives though keep in mind, it’s not going to work miracles—you have to have decent skin already to get that look with this foundation alone.
I have oily skin and the foundation held up pretty well throughout the day, but it is winter (like below freezing winter)—I’d have to see how it holds up in warmer weather.
Sleek MakeUP Vitality Foundation Video Demo on Dark Skin
There’s no sound so feel free to watch from almost anywhere.
Sleek MakeUP Vitality Foundation Demo on Dark Skin from Danielle Gray on Vimeo.
Bottom line: Sleek MakeUP Vitality Foundation is a lightweight foundation with a good shade range. If you just need a little coverage and can find a good match (remember it’s lightweight so the shades can be more flexible), this is a nice one to try.
Price and where to buy: about $8.99 at Target.com and about $9.99 at Walgreens.com and select Walgreens stores (though it can go on sale from to time—as of me drafting this post it’s $7.49 AND you can collect Walgreens beauty points on them which turn into money off future purchases—read more here). Remember just about anything online at Walgreens.com can be shipped to a Walgreens store for free.
I went to Walgreens and got swatches of a few more shades of the Lifeproof as well. Like I mentioned above, my Walgreens didn’t have testers for the Vitality foundations.
Sleek MakeUP Corrector & Concealer Palette
Official description:
This ultimate professional tool includes a corrector, concealer and a setting powder.
Corrector – designed to neutralize discoloration and camouflage dark circles
Concealer – creamy formula can be used to brighten the under eye area and conceal imperfections
Setting powder – pressed setting powder sets concealer
So I was wondering why these didn’t come in deeper shades because the foundations go so deep. I even googled to see if maybe the ones I got were mislabeled and then came across my own post from 2014 where I reviewed these…lol. But yep, this is how deep they come. It’s weird because the Sleek MakeUP contour kits and the foundations all go pretty deep.
Shade 05 was still too light for me to use as concealer or corrector, but I did like the consistency of the concealer.
Sleek MakeUP is now sold in the U.S. at Walgreens and ULTA both online and in select stores (use the store locator on the individual sites to find product near you and you can order just about anything from Walgreens.com and have it ship to a Walgreens store for free). I’m also starting to see Sleek MakeUP products on Target.com but it all seems to be just online for now.
