I Braved the Best Black Lipsticks for a Week

Photography courtesy of launchmetrics.com/spotlight

Here are the best ones on the market.

I’m not much of a beauty risk-taker. Blush is a “special occasions” thing, and I’ve been using the same eyeshadow palette since high school. So when I set out to try out the best black lipsticks for a story, I had some trepidation.

Will I look like a goth wannabe? Could it be a smudgy mess? Might I resurface some unsavoury angsty teen memories? I’m happy to report that while black lipstick may be intimidating, it’s entirely worth the risk.

What to look for in the best black lipsticks

For the perfect inky lip stain, long-lasting quality is of the utmost importance. When you eat and drink and speak, your lipstick naturally dwindles. Pick something with staying power to avoid splotchy, worn-looking lips. We want to avoid that colour chaos.

Secondly, you’ll want a product that is as smear-proof as possible. Nothing is quite as humbling than walking around with makeup on your teeth — but with black lipstick, that blunder becomes all the more obvious. Then comes the wear experience. If your committing to a deep shade, you shouldn’t settle for sticky finish or crumbly texture.

The best black lipsticks I tried:

Best overall

E.l.f. O Face Satin Lipstick

For a low price and exceptionally high quality, Elf tops FASHION’s list of the best black lipsticks. This rich hue is intensely pigmented with a deluxe creamy feel. I swatched this on before an outing with friends. I was pleasantly surprised by how it offered a bold look without feeling tacky on my lips.

It even stayed put for a few hours without a re-apply. Made with hydrating squalane and jojoba esters, it has a nourishing, comfortable feel. All in all, this lipstick offers an instant sultry aesthetic, without any real effort.