Black lipstick has had its comeback. No longer are black lips the marker of goths – they have instead found their place in the fashion world. Every makeup enthusiast now owns at least one tube of her favorite black lipstick, which she is able to apply flawlessly for a dramatic yet chic look. Black lips are perfect for conveying confidence, intensity, and all-around badassery, so don’t be afraid of that sexy tube of black cream.
If you’d like to join the fold and embrace the darkness of black lipsticks, well, we’re more than supportive! We’ve crafted a list of the very best black lipsticks for you to try, with various options that range in opacity and drama so you can either jump into the pool of black lipstick head first, or ease in gently with something sheerer.
For that edgy look that sticks in mind, here you have 11 black lipstick alternatives to choose from and experiment with.
1. Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Perversion
The Vice lipsticks are well known for their creamy texture and easy, opaque application. Their black lipstick in Perversion is one of the best out there, especially when it comes to roll-up bullet lipsticks. It is extremely pigmented and lasts all day, without drying out the lips. You can get it from Nordstrom.
2. Givenchy Beauty Gloss Interdit Vinyl in Noir Revelateur N16
Black lip products don’t have to turn your lips into a veritable black hole. Instead, they can infuse your lips with just a hint of darkness, like this vampy black lip gloss. It imparts a dark shine to the lips, studded with an iridescent shimmer. It enhances your natural lip color, or intensifies any lipstick worn below it. Order it online from Net-a-Porter!
3. NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Paint It Black
The NARS lip pigments DO. NOT. MOVE. This is extremely important when it comes to black lipstick, since there is nothing worse than it smudging or getting on your teeth. The formula feels light on the lips, and the coverage is matte and opaque. It is available for sale at Nordstrom.
4. Black Up No Transfer Double Effect Liquid Lipcolor in LMS 01
This is a totally unique take on black lipstick that will be super fun for anyone with a theatrical flare. These matte liquid lipsticks are absolutely loaded with glitter, for a double effect where one moment your lips look matte, and the next they shine bright. The black lipstick version is embedded with silver glitter for that gorgeous night sky effect. Buy it from Sephora!
5. MAC Girls Lipstick in Black Night
If you love a cream lipstick, here is another one of the best black lipsticks in bullet form, this time from MAC. This unique lipstick is flecked with golden shimmer for a touch of glow, and it is sheerer and more warm-toned than other lipsticks on this list. You can buy it from Nordstrom.
6. NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Alien
I’ve recommended these NYX lipsticks before because they perfectly rival their more expensive counterparts in longevity and opacity, not to mention color range! This black shade is especially phenomenal, with its long-wearing formula and sophisticated matte finish. It is sold via Ulta Beauty.
7. Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Tar Pit
Smashbox makes some of my favorite liquid lipstick formulas, so no surprise that they’ve made the best black lipstick for those who like a matte, super precise look. It comes in a gloss-type applicator, with a pointy brush perfect for lining lips. Pick up this lipstick at Nordstrom!
8. Dior Rouge Dior Liquid Lip Stain in 908 Extreme Black
Dior may not be the first brand one thinks of when looking for the best black lipstick for them, which is unfortunate because they really created a contender for the title here. This matte black shade gives a classic dark pout without the typical heavy feel of a lip stain, and lasts a long long time. You can find it at Nordstrom.
9. Lipstick Queen Black Lipstick in Black Lace Rabbit
This black lipstick shimmers with a silvery touch, giving a perfect night-time sky effect to lips. This creamy bullet formula is super sheer, so it only lightly darkens and enhances the natural lip color, or any lipstick it is applied over. It is sold online through Net-a-Porter.
10. Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Black Lipstick in Midnight
Pulling a bullet lipstick is already an elegant affair, but it becomes doubly so when it’s a sexy ABH bullet in opaque, matte black. This creamy formula has the opacity and matte finish you’d expect from a liquid lipstick, but none of the dryness, making it one of the best black lipsticks for those who like an old school technique. It is available for purchase at Nordstrom.
11. Lime Crime Velvetines Matte Liquid Lipstick in Black Velvet
While Lime Crime may be a controversial brand, no one can argue that this is possibly the best black lipstick in a matte, long-lasting liquid formula. The velvet finish on this lipstick will not budge, move, or smudge, and the black color is as deep as they come. Buy it from Nordstrom!
Photos via @beautybekky, Instagram, Sephora