Makeup + skincare · France
black|Up
Founded by Fabrice Mahabo
black|Up is a pioneering Paris-born complexion specialist, one of the first makeup-artist brands built specifically for deep skin. It was created in Paris in 1999 by a young makeup artist from the Ivory Coast who, after studying at Christian Chauveau makeup school, realized products weren't adapted to Black and mixed skins; even by 2012 the brand carried up to 13 shades in each foundation range while mainstream brands added only three to six 'ethnic' shades. Its Full Coverage Foundation offers 15 shades made to cater to the skin tones and undertones of women of color from fair to very deep, a depth of undertone variety rare even among brands with good shade counts. Today it markets itself as the first French makeup brand dedicated to medium-to-deep skin tones. Important caveat: there is genuine dispute over the founder, with some outlets naming Lionel Durand and others identifying Fabrice Mahabo as the original owner, verify ownership history before publishing.
Who it matches
- Depth range
- Fair, Deep, Deepest
- Undertone
- Cool, Neutral, Warm, Golden / yellow, Olive
- Skin type
- All skin types
- Price
- Prestige
- Finish
- Matte
- Coverage
- Full
Hero products
- Full Coverage Cream Foundation
- Matifying Fluid Foundation
- HD Loose Powder
- Rouge Exception lipsticks
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