It doesn’t matter who your favorite celebrity is; you have probably seen them donning black lipstick to some sort of premiere in the past, and they will certainly be in the future. It’s the sort of product that never goes off-trend, so a lot of people believe it is a must-have in their makeup bag.
You can get the same brands that the actresses and singers take to the red carpet for a reasonable price, but some are certainly better than others. To help you avoid making a mistake, we have created a list of the top nine black lipsticks. They are made by some of the world’s biggest makeup brands, have thousands of fans, and will leave you feeling empowered every time you wear them.
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Our Top Picks for the Best Black Lipsticks
Lime Crime Velvetines Liquid Matte Lipstick, Black Velvet
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It’s almost impossible to write a list of the top ten black lipsticks without this stand-out product. It is a high-quality liquid matte finish and feels luxurious. To deliver a vibrant look that doesn’t feel heavy on your lips, it glides on but dries quickly to give you a unique look that lasts. The smudge-proof finish doesn’t bleed and stays true to the way you apply it, even smelling of French Vanilla to make your lips smell great. Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, apply lip balm 15 minutes before applying, and when it is on, there will only be minimal retouching required.
Manic Panic Raven Lethal Lipstick – Raven
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This creamy shade of black is lighter than most but still has an intensity about it. It has a semi-matte finish that will appeal to a lot of users as it has a buttery look that feels good. What a lot of people seem to like is the added moisturizers that help to lock in the softness and the color. Manic Panic creates cruelty-free lipsticks that are also free from gluten, parabens, and lead. The case it comes in is etched in diamonds to make it stand out in your makeup bag, and the bold color lasts a long time.
Milani Bold Color Statement Matte Lipstick
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A lipstick that is as kind to your skin as it is cruelty-free deserves a look. The pigment-rich formula has a deep matte finish that looks luxurious without caking the lips. Certified vegan, it contains no animal by-products, and it even looks good when wearing minimal makeup. For a stand-out finish and an expressive look, the bold black finish has warm undertones and applies easily. It has no taste and a pleasant smell and stays on well in the same way a more expensive brand does.
e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipstick 82647 Black Out
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A quality, deep-looking black lipstick that contains cocoa butter to moisturize the lips as though you were wearing a balm. There are also vitamins A & E to condition your lips, adding to the comfort when you wear them. The black stays put without needing much in the way of touch-ups, so it should be considered one of the more reliable brands if you’re leaving the lipstick at home. The coverage is great, but it can smudge a little; this is likely because of the moisturizing ingredients.
NYX Professional Makeup Velvet Matte Lipstick, Midnight Muse
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Anyone who checks the name before the color will be intrigued by the midnight muse offering from NYX Professional. They have made it, so it is highly pigmented to draw out so luscious color that is deep and sultry when applied. The matte finish has a velvety look but all but eliminated shine for a natural appeal. When on, it doesn’t feel heavy or dry, and you’ll forget it’s there, even if everyone around you doesn’t. A black lipstick that will last all night, this is a great option for a special night.
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Black Lipstick Matte Lipstick
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For a high-quality product from a popular brand, look no further than Maybelline. Their color sensation range is known for being luxurious and in the honeycomb nectar, certainly leaves your lips with a creamy finish that looks great. With one stroke, you get an intense look from the highly pigmented color. It has a greyish-black look, so it’s not as strong-looking, which some people will find preferable. You might need a lip liner to make sure you are accurate, as things can get messy. It doesn’t last for as long as the others, but the odd touch-up is all you need to maintain the look you started the night with.
Splashes & Spills – Vivid Black and Red Lipstick
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This two-pack offers good value but is not for you if you don’t need or want the red that comes with it. This would be a shame, though, as both products are bold, with a matte finish. The Scarlett red is vibrant, and the daring black is deep and sultry in its look. The color looks rich and lasts a long time for some head-turning lips. It is kind of a sensitive skin type, so it can be reapplied throughout the night and has a natural finish without being too layered or thick.
Winky Lux 24-Hour Long-Lasting Lipstick
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They’ve marketed this as being great for the holidays as a Christmas-style lipstick, but it works on any occasion. The long-lasting finish looks great throughout the night with a matte effect and features castor seed oil to seriously hydrate your lips. The vibrant color certainly stands out but doesn’t feel thick when on. The cruelty-free formula is also free-from sulfates and gluten with no animal testing. Made to stand out, it is not for the faint-hearted but is a quality lipstick from a brand that seems to have its ethics in order.
NICKA K Vivid Matte Lipstick NMS07 Black
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With a fresh modern finish, this matte black lipstick is formulated with beeswax to make it smooth and comfortable to wear. The coverage is full and incredibly bold, as you would expect from a deep black lipstick. You might find that it comes off a little when eating, but a quick retouch should usually suffice. Although it is not as highly pigmented as others, it is good value for the price, and a few layers can be all you need to create a sultry look. With no taste or smell, it is a good black lipstick at a great price.
Black Lipstick Buyer’s Guide
Not everyone is confident enough to wear black lipstick, so we commend you for coming this far. Expect to turn some heads in a good way but only when you find a brand that makes a product worth wearing. To help clear up some of the confusion around this dark and mysterious shade of lipstick, we have created the following buyer’s guide.
It goes into depth in all things black lipstick so, by the end of it, you can make this an easy decision.
What To Look For In Black Lipstick
Smudge Free
Some formulas are more prone to smudging than others and this can partially be down to the thickness of the lipstick and how easy it is to apply. There are plenty of brands that make smudges far less common than others.
Cruelty-Free
Any brand that uses animals as part of their testing should be avoided. It isn’t always easy to find out which ones are the culprits so we recommend doing a little research before you click to purchase.
Lasting Color
This is especially important for black since it is a shade that will make it obvious when it starts to fade. The best brands ensure that their products last for longer between retouches, although certain types of lipstick are heavier than others so may not need so much attention anyway.
Moisturizing Ingredients
Some people will find this more important than others but anyone with dry lips should look for ingredients such as glycerin or vitamin E. These help to make dry lips feel better and can smooth over the area to prevent cracks from showing so much. Again, these are the sort of moments where black lipstick can be difficult to pull off – cracks tend to show up more than pink or red tones which is why it is important to give them some love.
How To Wear Black Lipstick
There are many different types and ways to wear black lipstick. Here are some of the ways you can ensure it looks professional or just doesn’t completely take over by itself:
Save The Gloss For The Right Occasion
Glossy lipstick stands out no matter what color, but black seems to even more. This might not be the right choice for the office but is great for when it comes to playtime. When going for gloss, tone the makeup down to a minimum.
Use Soft Makeup
Your lips are going to be the center of the drama, but it is best not to overload the makeup. Keep it simple, with a bit of mascara around the eyes or you may verge towards the goth end of the spectrum, which is fine if that is what you are after.
Use A Quality Product
Black lipstick is one shade that is less forgiving when it comes to fading. Applying a touch up might be necessary, but a product that fades fast is going to be hard to keep up with. This isn’t a soft pink that can fade all it wants, faded black will stand out for all the wrong reasons.
Use Your Hair
…to your advantage. Combining bangs or a cute fringe with black lipstick can help to reduce the gothiness around the office and provides a pleasant balance between serious and fun.
Can You Wear Black Lipstick In The Office?
If the likes of red lipstick are a sign of power, then black certainly has its place in the office. A mysterious color, with the right makeup, black lipstick can be a bold yet powerful choice. We can’t speak for every office, and some may require a certain etiquette, but a dark tone can provide a sultry look that doesn’t have to be goth unless it is intended.
It looks especially good with a black outfit, which is a common sight in any office. Sure, it might turn some heads, but this isn’t a bad thing, for a dramatic look around the office that can still be professional, black lipstick is worth considering.
Different Types Of Black Lipstick
Black lipstick is available in a variety of different finishes and styles, much the same as any other shade or color. The most common include the following:
Satin
Similar to sheer lipstick, satin is a good choice for dry lips since they moisturize and add a little shine. A popular choice but because they are oil-based, they will not last as long so there will be a definite need to reapply throughout the day.
Matte
For less shine but still plenty of colors, matte is a good choice. Because it doesn’t jump out as much, it is a popular choice for anyone looking for darker shades such as black. Some people say matte lipstick makes lips look younger.
Gloss
Any glossy black lipstick is going to help your lips stand out and the brilliant shine adds a presence that draws people’s attention your way. Depending on the workplace, this might be a little too impactful in certain offices, but it adds depth to thin or small lips.
Moisturizing
Any black lipstick that comes with moisturizing ingredients can be great if you have dry lips as it will smooth over dry patches and help to keep them soft. Look for vitamin E as an example of a good ingredient that helps to battle dry lips.
Frosted
For a little dazzle in the dark, frosted black lipstick has the shine to reflect light, but the downside is that these tend to be on the heavy side and can cause lips to dry faster than usual.
What Is The Best Black Lipstick?
Although there are plenty of quality products on the market, we found Lime Crime Velvetines Liquid Matte Lipstick, Black Velvet to be the best. Because of its matte finish, it has an understated presence but still manages to stand out without being overbearing. It doesn’t smudge, is cruelty-free, and is easy to apply. What more can you ask for?
Wherever you are wearing it, black lipstick should be worn with confidence. Here’s to standing out for the right reasons!