A lot of people seem to feel and believe that makeup looks good only on fair skin. Prepare to be surprised because the truth is, makeup may look just as flattering on dark skin. The key is to know what particular makeup to use. For dark skin, the best foundation to use must be water-based. Dark skin has a tendency to look oily, and using cream foundation will only worsen the effect. The water-based foundation must be of a shade closest to your skin tone.
Next, follow up the foundation with a dust of loose powder. Be careful not to over dust, especially around the eye area. Once you have done this, the next step is to choose eyeshadow colors for your eyes. Shades of brown and bronze are very flattering on dark skin; so are dark metallic colors. White or very light colors will look great on fair skin, but they will not have the same effect on dark skin. Purple and blue hues may also look great on dark skin.
Now, outline your eyes with dark eye lining pencil. Eyeliners in black or chocolate brown is preferred. Next, thicken your eyelash with at least two coats of dark mascara to draw attention to the eyes.
You may also use a highlighter on the bridge of your nose, around your eye or above the cheek bones and upper lip.
When choosing the right shade of lipstick, go for more intense colors, like dark reds or corals. Lipsticks in burgundy will also look pleasing on dark skin. For your blush, warm colors in rose or deep orange are highly recommended for dark skin. If you are going to a night of fun and entertainment with friends, you may add a bit of drama to your cheeks by dusting your cheeks with a hint of gold color.


Now, you are ready to work on your eyes. Choose at least three shades of eyeshadow. They may not be necessarily of the same color. The important thing is to have a lighter shade, a medium shade, and a darker shade. Use the lighter shade as base shade. This should cover the are under the eyebrow. Use the medium shade for the crease, and the darker shade to line the upper eyelid. Next, use an eyeliner to accentuate and define your eyes further. Draw a thin line across the upper lid and the lower lid, and soften the effect by smudging it with a brush.


But applying the kind of make-up that literally transforms an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan will often require the services of a professional 
Starting from the lashline to just below the brow, cover the area with the lightest shade. This becomes your base shade, and it works a bit like a foundation in that it holds the rest of the colors together, preventing them from creasing. Then, use a medium shade for your lower lid. This should blend well into your base shade. Next, accentuate your eyes, particularly the part along the lash line and somewhere at the outer corner of your eye, with the darkest shade. Blend well.
There are different kinds of eyeliners in the market today. The first and most common is the pencil eyeliner. The pencil eyeliner is the most popular and most often used because it is easier to control than the other kinds of pencil eyeliner. However, as already mentioned, it is not soft enough nor is it very friendly to the eyes. The second kind is the liquid eyeliner. The liquid eyeliner is not as easy to control as the pencil eyeliner and may actually require a bit of practice to get things done the right way. It is often used by professionals to create more defined lines.