If you are dark, it's time to show it off. Dark skinned women are ruling the style world just think about Bipasha Basu, Rihanna, Halle Berry or Naomi Campbell and you'll know what we say is true. All you need is a basic sense of colours and styling to emerge as your office style diva. Here are few tips to help you get started Hair
"If your skin tone is from medium tan to dark tan, you should opt for a global (overall) brown and streak it with gold or violet. This look is really in," says Ingrid Gomes from Schwarzkopf Professional. Those with a dark wheatish complexion can do a global in chocolate or auburn with streaks in gold or blonde. Women with wheatish complexion can get a global in brown or mahogany. Streak it with gold, blonde or honey shades. "Scrunched or curled hair looks great on dark women," adds Ingrid
Make up
"Always apply moisturiser or sunscreen before you apply foundation. Select a shade that is half-a-shade darker than your natural skin tone as a lighter tone can make your face look whitish," says makeup artist Namrata Soni. If your skin is too dark, do the contouring or shading with a foundation in a darker tone. Apply compact or powder to get rid of the oily look. Carry your compact for regular touch-ups.
Choose eyeshadows in burgundy, copper, dark brown and prunes. "You can also experiment with colours like emerald, violet, turquoise and metallic shades. Green, blue or gold eyeliner also looks hot," says Namrata. A creamy eye shadow will work better than a powdery one. Highlight your lashes with black mascara. Touch up the cheeks with blush in colours like dusty pink, cinnamon, cocoa, dark peach or brown.
Berry shades, plums, burgandies and all shades of browns look great with dark skin. Also beiges, golds and soft pinks work well. Generally these colours work well on a dark/dusky skin: nude pinks, nude beiges, mochas, coffees, mahoganies, chocolates, berry shades, deep berry shades, dark plums, wines and burgundies. Avoid orange shades, they will wash you out
Accessories
Stay away from bright gold jewellery, instead opt for dull gold pieces. Diamonds and platinum pieces will look much better. Ethnic silver jewellery with colourful stones also looks good on women with dusky as well as tan complexion.
If your outfit is too plain, team it up with kadas, bracelets or colourful broad bangles. You can even slip on a finger ring.
Stick to the basic blacks and browns when it comes to bags and shoes. Matte silver or pale gold footwear is more suited for parties, whereas to work you should wear shades of black or brown
Colours
"Dusky women should opt for light coloured clothes that have some depth. Shades like tomato red, turquoise blue, bright orange, powder blue, purple and canary yellow look cool. Instead of sporting a bright shade of white, you should wear outfits in off-white or ivory. Avoid colours like baby pink or pista green," says fashion designer Abhishek Dutta. You should also stay away from shocking pink, yellow ochre, deep black or brown. Colours like leaf or lemon green, orange, peacock blue or plum red are better choices.
Those with a dark brown or black complexion need to be a little careful. Choose shades like basic off-white or sap green that won't make you look tacky. "Tone-on-tone combos like beige and dull brown, peacock blue on navy or gold on rust, brown on charcoal can make you look chic," suggests Abhishek
Silhouettes
Women in the large and extra large category should wear a toned version of bright colours, if they want to look slimmer.
Those with a small frame can safely don the bright pastel shades or floral prints. Medium built or petite women are lucky enough to carry off all the colours but they should keep at least their trousers/shirt/skirt neutral if they don't want to overdo the contrast.
Off-shoulder outfits and ones with plunging necklines look good on many dark women. A bit of body oil or shimmer (bronzer) on the neck, shoulders or arms can make the skin glow at a party!
