The 7 Best Black Lipsticks, According to Makeup Artists

Publish date: 2024-03-22

Black lipstick is one of the boldest makeup looks you can rock. It’s dark, moody, and impossible to ignore. And now, the glam-grunge lip look is on the rise again.

“The ‘90s and goth-inspired makeup are coming back, especially with browns and blacks,” says celebrity makeup artist Tobi Henney, noting Gen Z’s embrace of the deeper, darker hues.

Naturally, the first step to pulling off black lipstick is finding the right formula. “A black lipstick has to have great opacity and staying power so it looks good the entire time being worn,” says Henney.

Here, we’ve tapped Henney along with two other pro makeup artists to discover their all-time favorite black lipsticks.

Best Overall

MAC Matte Liquid Lip Colour

What We Love: It’s super long-lasting.

What We Don’t Love: The formula can be a bit drying if you have flaky lips.

Shade Name: Caviar

Both Henney and celebrity makeup artist Emily Amick recommend this matte lipstick. “When it comes to black lipstick, I tend to prefer a long wear, opaque lipstick that doesn’t bleed, and this formula will not disappoint,” says Amick.

Price at time of publish: $25

Type: Liquid|Finish: Velvet Matte|Wear Time: Up to 8 hours|Size: 0.17 fl oz

Best Budget

Maybelline SuperStay Liquid Lipstick

What We Love: It has a great narrow applicator tip.

What We Don’t Love: It’s a bit tricky to remove.

Shade Name: Thrill Seeker

“For a true black at an affordable price, I really like Maybelline's SuperStay Matt Ink Liquid lipstick in Thrill Seeker,” says celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibellii. “It’s definitely on the matte side and extremely long wear.” Although it’s fabulous on its own, he also likes to use this lipstick as a first step for other colors to get “a touch of color with a black lip base.”

Price at time of publish: $11

Type: Liquid|Finish: Velvet Matte|Wear Time: Up to 16  hours|Size: 0.17 fl oz

Best Splurge

Gucci Long Lasting Satin Lipstick

Gucci Long Lasting Satin Lipstick in Black

Sephora

What We Love: It’s super moisturizing.

What We Don’t Love: If you’re not careful, the color may need to be reapplied after a few hours.

Shade Name: Crystal Black

If you want a black lipstick that’s a bit more moisturizing, this one from Gucci is perfect. It’s made with a mix of waxes and resins that moisturize and grip the lips. “This one has a gorgeous aubergine undertone to it, and the formula has a creamy satin finish,” says Scibelli.

Price at time of publish: $47

Type: Cream|Finish: Satin|Wear Time: Up to 4 hours|Size: 0.12 oz

Best Gloss

Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond Liquid Lipstick

What We Love: The formula is oil-based and moisturizing.

What We Don’t Love: If you forget to shake it before applying, it can go on streaky.

Shade Name: Indie Sleaze

“For a long-wear, glossy black formula, I really like Urban Decay's Vice Lip Bond Liquid Lipstick in Indie Sleaze,” says Scibelli. “It goes on super smooth and glossy, but then dries quickly into a comfortable long-wear gloss with a touch of a velvety finish.”

Price at time of publish: $27

Type: Liquid|Coverage Level: Full|Finish: Velvet Gloss|Wear Time: Up to 16 hours|Size: 0.2 fl oz

Best Cream

Byredo Colour Stick

Byredo Colour Stick

Byredo

What We Love: It’s a versatile stick that can be used on the eyes and lips.

What We Don’t Love: The formula is lightweight and designed to be buildable, so it's not the best fit if you want one-swipe coverage.

Shade Name: Destroyer

“I love Byredo Destroyer because the product is creamy and glides on easily,” says Henney. “I also love how it’s in stick form, and the packaging is super chic.”

Price at time of publish: $38

Type: Cream|Finish: Matte|Wear Time: All Day|Size: 0.12 oz

Best Matte

KVD Beauty Everlasting Hyperlight Liquid Lipstick

KVD Beauty Everlasting Hyperlight Vegan Transfer-Proof Liquid Lipstick in Black Briar

Sephora

What We Love: It feels comfortable on the lips.

What We Don’t Love: Because the formula is so lightweight, it takes multiple coats for full coverage.

Shade Name: Black Briar

This liquid lipstick got a reformulation in 2022 to make it super lightweight. “It’s a comfortable matte that wears all day,” says Amick. Plus, it’s infused with raspberry stem cells to nourish lips and provide all-day comfort.

Price at time of publish: $23

Type: Liquid|Finish: Matte|Wear Time: All Day|Size: 0.23 oz

Best Lip Liner

Make Up For Ever Pencil in All Around White

Makeup Forever Artist Color Pencil in Whatever Black

Make Up For Ever

What We Love: It can be used on the eyes and lips.

What We Don’t Love: Because it’s so matte, you need to warm it up on the back of your hand for smooth application.

Shade Name: Whatever Black

Elevate any of the above lipsticks with this pencil. Pro tip: Make sure it’s sharpened to a nice tip before you get started. “The liner has to have super crisp lines and executed with precision,” says Henney.

Price at time of publish: $22

Type: Pencil|Finish: Matte|Wear Time: All Day|Size: 0.05 oz

What to Keep in Mind

Formula + Finish

Black can be a tricky shade because it’s so dark. So, formula-wise, you want something with staying power as the contrast between black and your lips is so strong that it will be extremely noticeable if the color fades with time. ”I don’t want something that is going to transfer like crazy or wear off easily, leaving the lips looking patchy,” says Amick. That’s why most of the above lipsticks are liquid matte. This type of formula goes on wet and dries down to really adhere to your lips.

Undertones

Black is made by mixing all the colors. So, depending on how much of what is added, a discerning eye can pick up different undertones in shades of black. “A black lipstick can have various undertones, which gives it that unique wearability,” says Scibelli. “I like to look for black lipsticks with a range of hues like deep blues, plums, and deep reds.”

Your Questions, Answered

Can you layer a matte lipstick with gloss?

Yes! Just be sure to allow the lipstick to fully dry down before going in with gloss. “I love it with a gloss on top,” says Henney, recommending MAC Lipglass ($23) in Clear.

I’m hesitant about wearing black lipstick — what should I do?

“You need to be confident and excited to pull off any bold look, including a black lipstick,” says Henney. So, if you’re feeling inspired and ready to make a statement, go for it! But if you’re feeling really uneasy, Scibelli says you can work up to black by starting with deeper plums and berry tones.

Why Shop With Us

Kara Jillian Brown is the beauty editor at InStyle and has worked in the industry for nearly five years. For this piece, she interviewed celebrity makeup artists Emily Amick, Tobi Henney, and Neil Scibelli, who have decades of combined experience working with black lipsticks.

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