Black lipstick can be quite tricky. The color itself is simple – the darker the better; the blacker the bolder.
What isn’t simple is… literally everything else. A black lipstick that may have weak staying power, easy smudging, transfers, or any other application complication can simply ruin your whole look.
All of these concerns can easily create commitment issues with this power move of a makeup look. Don’t want to waste money on a black lip that won’t do you any good? That’s where we come in. Our whole thing is 4+ star products only. Here’s a list of our best black lipsticks.
Best Matte Black Lipsticks
Cream Lipstick
You’ve probably never heard of Monoi de Tahiti – or at least, I hadn’t, no offense if you have. This ingredient, combined with jojoba oils, forms an emollient that’s moisturizing for kissable lips. You don’t need to worry about building up – this is a one-swipe formula, giving you the gothic look you’re looking for instantly. The velvety finish both feels and looks fab.
I Am Invincible
This $7 lipstick from Milani claims that this product can last up to 8 hours of wear, which is a big deal when it comes to black lipsticks. We don’t want any fading or transparency with a color this dark – everyone will be able to tell! This powerful statement lipstick is also vegan and cruelty-free as well! It’s got Minoi oil for a smooth, easy-glide finish, and makes the look “instant.”
Vivid Matte Lipstick
Beginners will love this cheap, pigmented lipstick. Reviewers are raving about this lipstick on Amazon, saying that the finish is super smooth, and the shade is opaque enough where you don’t have to apply layer by layer. This find is the definition of a steal — just check out the price. It’s under $5. Be forewarned, reapplying may be necessary, but that’s not a huge deal when it’s so portable and easy to carry!
Suede Matte Lipstick Lightweight Vegan Lipstick
NYX has another winner for y’all in a shade called Alien. If you want to feel cool, collected, and unstoppable, then this should be your go-to black lipstick. This product can be dressed up and down; you can either swipe some on and go, but if you’re more into precision and fun shapes, you can also pair this with its matching Suede Lipliner! Although this lipstick is matte, it’s velvety and non-drying, so you get the best of both worlds with its creaminess and dried-down look.
Best Black Liquid Lipsticks
Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick
Ofra’s “The Bronx” is a real doozy of a black lipstick. It’s so pigmented that you really only need one round of application, and it claims to wear for up to 5 hours with its precision still in place. Some pluses include the fact that this product is vegan and made in the US. On top of that, it’s got a sweet vanilla scent, so it’s extra pleasant to apply!
Lip Lingerie XXL Long-Lasting Matte Liquid Lipstick
Lip Lingerie is an iconic line that’s been around for awhile. So of course, the Naughty Noir shade did not come to play. It boasts a 16-hour wear time, and proudly states that it’s crack-free and won’t bleed or transfer. For such a bold statement and the $10 price tag, it’s certainly hard to resist. It gives a smooth matte finish and is also vegan and cruelty-free!
Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
MAC is providing style and functionality all in one. Their Retro Matte liquid black lipstick claims to be moisturizing upon immediate contact, and will provide a soft feel to your lips for up to eight hours. Its non-feathering and bleed-free attributes are already more than enough to want to make you stay. It also has an impressive ingredients list, and is formulated without oil, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, formaldehyde, and coal tar (which I feel shouldn’t even be a thing in the first place…).
SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick
I have this exact product, and let me tell you – if you’re looking for a product that stays, whether you like it or not, this is the black liquid lipstick for you. Just swipe it on, let it sit for a few minutes (no blotting necessary), and that shit is ON for the day and/or night. Eat, drink, kiss with it, whatever you do (no judgement) – it’s staying until you aggressively clean it off.
Other Black Lip Products We Love
Paint-It Matte Lip Color
Halsey is known for her bold looks, so it’s unsurprising that she’d create a matte liquid-cream formula for her about-face Paint It Matte lipstick collection. While it doesn’t have any special, nourishing ingredients in the formula – my main gripe with her initial line – the one-swipe formula is wow-worthy.
Color Icon Multi-Stick
I honestly don’t have to say much here, because this black lipstick is only $3. Excuse me? In all seriousness though, this multi-stick is, drum roll please, multi-use. It has a cream-to-powder formula so you can use it on all areas of your face. Silky as it is smooth, it glides on effortlessly from its virgin passionfruit seed oil, argan oil, and vitamin E. So, not only is it super easy to use, it’s also got some skin benefits.
Long Lasting Satin Lipstick
Are you feeling a little bougie? A little expensive? It’s time to muster up the rich-trophy-wife-MILF energy and put some dollars down for this Gucci lipstick. This product is creamy with some intense pigment, and feels lightweight on the skin when worn. Its ingredients are silicone and paraben-free, nor does it include any formaldehydes, phthalates, and sulfates SLS and SLES. It also is encased in some beautiful gold packaging, so you can look (and feel) expensive wherever you go.
Hy-Power Eye, Cheek & Lip Pigment Paint
This black lipstick will add a little bit of glam to your life. It dries down matte, but also has a bit of shimmer for you to really stand out. Hy-Power is also a multi-use product, and would be great to create a matching smokey eye to your dramatic black lip. This lipstick is vegan and cruelty-free, and also includes ingredients that are protecting and softening for your skin, like plant squalane.
Have you found THE black lipstick in this list? Tell us below!