Best Black Lipsticks Guide: The Products to Give You Perfect Goth Lips
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The news is out — black lipstick is still trending this year! I personally love black lipstick. While I agree it’s not lipstick to wear every day, it is the best choice if you want a dramatic makeup look. Black lipsticks are no longer only confined to spooky girls. Black lipstick is a perfect choice if you want to look mysterious and intriguing.
I personally love how nearly every big brand offers black lipstick. Before, I had to wait until Halloween to buy a new shade of black lipstick. Now, I can walk in a Sephora any time of the year and find high-quality black lipsticks.
If you’re in need of new black lipstick, read the rest of my best black lipstick guide!
Bottom line up front:
Out of all of these options, I think the Kat Von D Everlasting Lipstick is my favorite option. All of KVD’s Everlasting Lipsticks are some of my favorites and some of the most renowned in the beauty community. I’ve never had problems with this liquid lipstick feathering or transferring onto my teeth.
The lipstick itself also lasts a long time, even when drinking. While Slayer was KVD’s black I had before, she has since replaced this color with Witches. I love this cool-toned black and I really want to try this one now!
Top Picks Up Front
- Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Witches
- Manic Panic Lethal Lipstick in Nosferatu
- NYX Butter Gloss in Blackberry Pie
- Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Color Beautifying Lipstick in Edgy Black
- Gucci Rouge a Levres Satin in Crystal Black
- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Lipstick in Night Bird
- Melt Cosmetics Ultra-Matte Lipstick in Bane
- MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Caviar
- Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Tar Pit
- Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Voodoo
- Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Thrill Seeker
Tips to Find the Best Black Lipstick
Before I mention my recommendations, I want to offer some tips to ensure that you find the right black lipstick. I’m listing many of my favorite products and they all won’t work for everyone, so know which ones will work best for you first.
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Know If Black Lipstick Is Right for You
This should be obvious — black lipstick isn’t right for everyone. Any dark lipstick, let alone black, is a little scary for a lot of people. It can be difficult to force yourself to try this bold look. This look isn’t for the faint of heart, so I don’t blame you if you’re not ready to take a step in the vampy direction.
What if you want to try wearing black on your lips but don’t want to go for black lipstick? Try some other dark colors first, such as dark berry, dark red, dark brown, and deep purple. If you already mastered this look, try a black lip liner or even a black gloss. You can always opt for a more affordable black lipstick. Worst come to worst, if you don’t like the way it looks, you didn’t spend a lot of money.
Find the Best Formula
Lipsticks come in different formulas. You can opt for a cream or liquid lipstick. I’m including both formulas here, but it is best to know which is right for you.
Cream lipstick is the most famous option. It has a comfortable texture and glides on easily. You can also find cream lipstick in all different finishes, such as gloss and matte.
Liquid lipstick has a thinner texture. It’s meant to dry on your lips for longer-lasting wear. Most liquid lipsticks have a matte finish. The only downside to liquid lipstick is they’re usually very drying, so make sure you exfoliate and moisturize your lips first.
Make Sure It Won’t Transfer
It’s embarrassing when lipstick transfers, whether it ends up on your teeth or bleeds around your mouth. And since black is a dark color, all of this will be more noticeable. Read reviews and make sure that black lipstick stays put. Don’t worry, the ones I’m recommending all received positive reviews.
How I Chose These Black Lipsticks
As stated in the previous section, a big priority of mine was choosing black lipsticks that last for a long time and don’t transfer.
I also made sure the color is completely opaque — if you’re not ready for a pigmented black lipstick, I suggest choosing a gloss. With that being said, I also prioritized lipsticks with matte finishes, but I also included semi-matte formulas here too I understand that not everyone is ready for pure black, so I did consider some off-black colors.
All of these lipsticks received excellent reviews. I made sure to look at the price and included a variety of formulas. Even though I’m including a diverse formula selection, I also considered ease of application for beginners and those who need a quick touch-up. I love a lipstick that feels weightless, so I looked at this factor.
Best Black Lipsticks for the Perfect Vampy Look
Are you ready to find your new favorite black lipstick? Here are a few that I recommend!
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Witches
Technically, the black from KVD I wore was Slayer. It doesn’t look like she sells this one anymore. Instead, the black available here is in shade witches. Witches is a cool-toned black, which I actually like better. Plus, witches has a matte finish whereas Slayer had a semi-matte finish.
If you want the truest shade of black, I say go for this product. KVD Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks last for a long time unless you eat something. Even when I drink something, the pigment still lasts. I have these liquid lipsticks in a variety of colors and have had good experiences with all of them. The only downside is they are pricey. But don’t worry, I’m also mentioning some more affordable options.
Manic Panic Lethal Lipstick in Nosferatu
I haven’t tried this one yet but really want to! This black lipstick is very opaque, perfect for your ultimate vampy look. It has a blue undertone and a matte finish so it will look especially edgy. It’s also lightweight and feels comfortable for long-term wear. The only downside is this lipstick smudges easily. If you expect to eat or drink anything, I suggest choosing the KVD Liquid Lipstick over this one.
NYX Butter Gloss in Blackberry Pie
NYX’s Butter Glosses are some of the most renowned lip products in the makeup community. They’re not only cheap but are moisturizing and last a long time. They also don’t feel sticky. Blackberry pie is a rich black; while it’s not the most pigmented product on this list, it’s a great color if you’re new to black lipstick.
I’m only able to find this color on Amazon — not the brand’s website. According to reviews, the Butter Gloss on Amazon is legitimate. But what this tells me is NYX is discontinuing this shade.
However, I found an alternative product — Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Alien. This is a liquid-to-matte lipstick, though some reviewers are calling the finish more of a semi-matte. These lipsticks are made with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, though the consistency is still very lightweight.
The reason I didn’t mention this one first is reviewers complained it’s a streaky color. However, if you work with the product, it is pretty long-lasting. Keep in mind that it does take a bit to dry, so make sure you let the product dry before eating or drinking anything.
Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Color Beautifying Lipstick in Edgy Black
Make Up For Ever is one of my favorite makeup brands and they make some of the best lip products. The finish on this is technically a semi-matte (I prefer a matte finish for black lipstick) but it’s intensely pigmented.
While the intensity doesn’t last all day, it does fade out to a beautiful color. However, you will have to reapply to get that intense color. This product also doesn’t bleed. The shape of this lipstick is unique and is inspired by the shape of a lipstick brush.
The goal of this product is to develop the perfect lip contour. I like that — I find so many lipsticks are too chunky and I have to fix my lipstick after application. It’s also very moisturizing, feels great on the lips, and even smells good.
Gucci Rouge a Levres Satin in Crystal Black
If you would rather have a satin finish for your black lipstick, this is the one I recommend the most. At $42, this lipstick obviously isn’t cheap, but it’s definitely one of the best quality lipsticks on this list. The black here is very saturated. This lipstick has a creamy texture but doesn’t feel like you’re wearing any lipstick.
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Lipstick in Night Bird
I have to be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of these lip stains. If you’re not careful, the color can go all over your face and teeth — especially if you’re eating or drinking anything. However, Sephora Collection is affordable and easily accessible, so I feel obligated to include this one.
I do like how the formula feels luxurious. It has a creamy texture that dries comfortably and doesn’t dry out your lips. It also applies smoothly. I also love this color. It’s that perfect haunting black that will make you look like a glamorous zombie.
Melt Cosmetics Ultra-Matte Lipstick in Bane
First and foremost, this lipstick is extremely cool. I love the packaging. This is the perfect black, too. It’s a true black with no undertones, perfect if you truly want to look like a Disney villain. It also glides on smoothly but has a perfect matte finish. Melt Cosmetics is also cruelty-free and this lipstick is vegan. Reviewers have been complaining about the smell, but if you can get passed that then I recommend this lipstick.
MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Caviar
MAC is one of my favorite brands for lip makeup. I absolutely love these Retro Matte liquid lipsticks. The applicator has a unique size, perfect for lips of all shapes. The pigmentation on this product is incredible and it’s so long-lasting. It also doesn’t smudge and I would recommend wearing this when you plan on eating and drinking.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Tar Pit
If you truly want that pen-ink shade of black, I suggest choosing this one. The black on this liquid lipstick is not only extremely intense but this liquid lipstick feels weightless. Smashbox also formulated this lipstick with apricot, jojoba, and sunflower oils so your lips also stay hydrated.
Plus, this lipstick is long-lasting and doesn’t transfer to your teeth, so I recommend this if you’re going to be out eating and drinking.
Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Voodoo
I love these Vice lipsticks by Urban Decay! The color is so intense and they have a lovely finish. I love this shade Voodoo because it’s not pure black; it has a subtle shimmer, perfect if you want to make your goth look a little more feminine. The black also has purple undertones so it looks very chic. UD also packs in some moisturizing ingredients like avocado oil and I can attest these lipsticks feel good when you’re wearing them.
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Thrill Seeker
This is another great affordable black lipstick. It’s long-lasting (many reviewers said this lasts all day) and has a matte finish. If the MAC, KVD, and Smashbox options are too pricey for you, I recommend trying this one. I definitely recommend this one if you plan on eating and drinking or are just going to an event where you won’t have time to touch up your lipstick. Plus, this lipstick is less than $10!
Just know that it’s a limited edition lipstick. This shade is part of Maybelline’s limited edition astrology collection.
FAQs
Question: Does black lipstick look good on everyone?
Answer: I think so! Whether you have pale or dark skin, or whether you have a goth or girly style, I think black lipstick looks amazing. The question is whether or not you’re comfortable wearing this striking color.
Question: Should I wear a lip liner with black lipstick?
Answer: I think so. But black lip liner can be difficult to find. Instead, you can opt for a clear lip liner. I love this one from Sephora collection.
Question: I’m not sure if I want to wear black lipstick. What are some other recommendations?
Answer: Here are my favorite lip colors:
• Purple (specifically berry)
• Red (specifically bright Marilyn Monroe red)
• Nude
• Brown
• Light pink
• Dark pink
Question: Does black lipstick signify anything?
Answer: Before, wearing black lipstick was reserved for evil Disney villains and 80s goth kids. Today, black lipstick is just a dark and sultry makeup look. This look is still attention-grabbing, perfect if you want all eyes on you for a night.
Best Black Lipsticks Guide: Bottom Line
Black lipstick is still a major trend! Because of this, you’re probably looking for a new black lipstick. Out of all of these options, I think Kat Von D’s Everlasting Lipstick in Witches is the best option. The easy applicator and thin formula are easy for anyone to work with.
Plus, it dries quickly. I also love how it’s a cool-toned black, which I think looks amazing on so many people. I also suggest looking at every other option on this list.
