The Best Lipsticks for Dark Skin Tones
I have a love affair with lipstick in all its forms because it amplifies the intrinsic qualities of my lips — while simultaneously uplifting my look. The right shade makes me feel adorned, sensual, and inspired, but the wrong one often leaves me feeling annoyed. As a dark skinned woman, finding the right lipstick can be something of a treasure hunt. I look for texture, longevity, pigment, and a complexion-flattering shade, which isn’t always easy to find in a single tube.
Thankfully there’s a vast sea of makeup brands out there — from big name powerhouses to new and niche brands — making it easier to find a lip color to suit my soul and express every side of my personality. I decided to experiment with 21 of the most popular lipsticks in search of the best ones for dark skin tones. Keep reading to see the results of my pout-perfecting experiment, one gorgeous shade at a time.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye1/21Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Dominate
A vivid bright red, Dominate begs to be seen. It’s a pretty shade that shows up pigmented, but still pairs easily with any number of lids looks — thanks to the matte finish.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye2/21Nars Lip Cover in Hell Gate
Nars Hell Gate has a luscious, lavish consistency, gliding beautifully along the lips. This classic crimson lippie with soft burnt orange tones made my lips feel like velvet.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye3/21Ilia Lipstick Crayon in 99 Red Balloons.
Red Balloons is a gorgeous, hydrating garnet red. It’s a creme satin finish, which meant I had to apply a bit more to my lips for the color to pop — but nonetheless, I’m in love with the shade that appeared.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye4/21Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Adora
Adora is the kind of red my mother would wear in the '90s. This classic hue is amplified with a metallic gold finish, like cherries sprinkled with gold glitter.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye5/21Sassy Lips Make the Moment Lipstick in When the Party Gets Going
This Sassy Lips formula provides a unique soft red stain to lips, which morphs as you apply. It’s light and glossy, which makes it an easy go-to color for an everyday look. (There’s also a flower inside the lipstick!) This lip transformer is easily one of my faves, especially when topped with a coat of clear gloss.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye6/21[Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Lipstick in Pinky Winky]https://www.amazon.com/RODIN-olio-lusso-Luxury-Lipstick/dp/B07B41NSK1)
This is one of the smoothest lipsticks I’ve ever worn and didn't leave my lips feeling the least bit dry. Berry Baci would be best in the summer, dabbed in the middle of the lips with gloss over it (then followed with a fresh blueberry smoothie or strawberry ice cream bar).
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye7/21Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Boss
I love the idea of wearing dark purple lipstick, but I rarely feel comfortable in it. Boss is a great deep eggplant hue, best paired with a dramatic wing or glittery smoky eye (instead of minimal makeup) to play off the head-turning effect it inspires.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye8/21Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Roxy
Roxy feels like an underused color that stepped right of a Crayola box, tired of being dismissed by her other purple siblings. It’s quirky, confident, and smooths nicely on the lips. It’s such a beautiful hue of purple that I suspect it will work on most complexions — so long as you fully embrace the vibrant shade.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye9/21Fenty Beauty MatteMoiselle Lipstick in Candy Venom
I’m really feeling this magnificent magenta lipstick, with its matte finish and full-on pigmentation. Like Rodin’s Berry Baci, it makes me think of summery, sunlit days.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye10/21Fenty Beauty MatteMoiselle Lipstick in PMS
I love a good chocolate brown lipstick, especially if it has a hint of burgundy in it. Fenty Beauty’s version is like a steaming cup of dark cocoa with just a drop of red. It goes on super smooth and instantly makes whatever makeup I'm wearing look even better.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye11/21Fenty Beauty MatteMoiselle Lipstick in Clapback
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy wearing Clapback as much as I did, but turns out it’s like the perfect-fitting pair of jeans — for your lips. This deep denim hue is two steps away from black lipstick, but a little less intense.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye12/21Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Slayer
Slayer is the best black lipstick I’ve ever tried. Not drying, not patchy, with a creamy finish that looks great on the lips.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye13/21CoverGirl Melting Pout Gel Lipstick in Banger
This is the exact shade Issa Rae wears in her CoverGirl commercial, so I feel super empowered in this metallic gold. You squeeze the tube for the gel lipstick to come out, then spread it across your pout. Whenever I swipe it on, I can't stop admiring the high-wattage shine and gorgeous color.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye14/21Maybelline Color Sensational Powder Matte Lipstick in Smoky Jade
I’m accustomed to green lipsticks that have a metallic or shimmer finish, but the smoky undertones of this green lippie produce an out-of-the-box grey-green shade. The color is slightly darker than this picture shows, but naturally, I just had to catch that effortless highlight the sun provided for this selfie.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye15/21Maybelline Color Sensational Powder Matte Lipstick Concrete Jungle
I was a little hesitant to try gray lipstick, but found my match in this Maybelline shade. Concrete Jungle works because it has a soft lavender sheen to it, which help temper the stormy grey. I couldn’t wear this everyday, but it would definitely be fun with a dramatic cat eye.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye16/21Fluide Liquid Lipstick in Halfway to Heaven
This metallic bronze lippie feels nostalgic yet futuristic, simultaneously giving me 90s vibes and sci-fi feels. I adore the color, particularly paired with chocolate lip liner and gold highlighter on the cheeks to brighten the look. (A little gold gloss dabbed over it wouldn’t hurt, either.)
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye17/21Huda Beauty Lip Strobe in Enchanting
Falling for this Huda Lip Strobe was all too easy. The sparkly, rainbow shade blended perfectly with my natural lip color and added the most mesmerizing kaleidoscopic sheen. (I’m wearing Enchanting here, a warm rose gold.) I particularly love layering this over other lipsticks or under a clear gloss for maximum impact.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye18/21Huda Beauty Lip Strobe in Mystical
A cosmic lavender-pink with sky blue glitter, Mystical ignites my magic and creativity. I recommend this shade for anyone who likes fairies, unicorns, and all things extra glittery.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye19/21Too Faced Mystical Effects Lipstick + Topper in Fairy Tears
I love the shimmering finish of the Too Faced Tears collection (Angel, Mermaid, Fairy, and Unicorn), but Fairy Tears (a soft pink with bubblegum shimmers) is by far my favorite of the bunch. To experience the full effect of this color, I layered the lipstick with the lip topper for a candy-pink, holographic pout.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye20/21Too Faced Mystical Effects Lipstick + Topper in Mermaid Tears
A charred purple with silver shimmer, Mermaid Tears reminds me more of Ursula than Ariel. It’s the most villainous of the Tears collection and brings out my dark side. I love wearing the lip topper over dark purple lipstick to enhance the holographic effect.
Courtesy of Alisha Acquaye21/21Bite Beauty Prismatic Pearl Multistick and Creme Lip Gloss in Peacock Pearl
Peacock Pearl instantly caught my attention with its name, and then its magical hue. It’s a stunning emerald green with burgundy, silver, and gold tones, creating a kaleidoscope of colors on my lips. The Multistick formula is thin and meant for layering, as is the lip gloss. Try pairing these with a matte base to ensure your statement lip is fully locked down.
