Choosing the best lipstick can be a challenge for many women of color, especially dark-skinned women who fear being mocked for looking like a clown due to choosing the wrong lipstick color.
Eventhough there are more choices on the market now, than ever before, it can be a task for a woman of color to find the best lipstick for her skin tone. To help you choose the best lipstick the next time you go shopping, I’ve put together this article that outlines different lipstick colors and how to choose the best one.
Before we get into it, I’d like to quickly point out a few things to look out for when shopping for lipsticks.
- Choose a lipstick that is highly pigmented and will stand out against your skin tone.
- Go with a lipstick that will last a few hours, without excessive touchups during the day
- Select a lipstick that will keep your lips looking soft and supple without cracks and white residue.
Keeping this in mind, you can expect to have a better time shopping for the best lipstick color for your unique skin tone.
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30 Best Lipsticks For Black Women of All Shades
In this post, I will be grouping these recommended lipsticks based on colors, so that you can easily choose the best color that will go with your outfit and occasion.
Best Red Lipsticks for Dark Skin Women
Sometimes it seems like it’s so hard to find the perfect red lipstick for dark skin, but the reality is that any red lipstick can look amazing on us if you pick the right one. This is why I will be recommending a few to choose from.
1. Smashbox Always On Longwear Matte Liquid Lipstick – Bawse by Lily Singh
Bawse is one of the most popular ‘best reds’ for dark skin. The color is bold, and the lipstick is very moisturizing. This particular collection has 23 shades you can try if the Bawse color is not your thing.
2. Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Mousse Hyper Matte – Red Hot
Red hot is a muted red, perfect for special occasions, parties, and upscale events. But of course, who says you can also wear red lipsticks to “fancy events”?
3. Makeup Forever Artist Rouge Cream Lipstick – Black Red
Black Red is a dark, burgundy red. This color looks great on dark skin tones because of how vibrant it leaves the lips. Perfect for a dinner date, night out with friends, or a sexy occasion with that special someone.
4. MAC Matte Lipstick – Ruby Woo
I’ve owned a Mac Ruby Woo lipstick for close to a decade now, and I can say that it’s a staple in my makeup collection. It lasts all day long, doesn’t leave red residue on your lips, and it doesn’t wipe off easily. This means that you can eat three meals in a day, and will still be left with red lips at the end of the day. I have to say that this lipstick can turn a casual outfit into a sexy one within minutes!
5. Live Tinted The Huestick – Origin
This lipstick is more than a lipstick. It’s an eye shadow, cheek tint, and lipstick all in one! It also balances out dark circles and dark spots. Versatile and looks amazing on dark skin!
6. Lime Crime Velvetine Liquid Matte Lipstick – Wicked
Wicked is a dark, dramatic red lipstick for those who prefer a less vibrant red that still looks somewhat rosy. If you’re looking or something more subtle and less dramatic, you should pick this lipstick!
Best Pink Lipsticks For Brown Skin
From bubblegum pinks to hot magentas, there are so many beautiful shades that compliment dark skin beautifully. Below, I will be recommending a few you can choose from.
7. Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick – Full Panic
Full Panic is for the divas who love to rock a bright fuchsia lipstick. This brand is also Black-owned, so you can trust that they’ll deliver products that will look great on dark skin. This collection has 30 shades to chose from, in case you’d like to add a complimentary color to your makeup collection.
8. Uoma Beauty Badass Icon Matte Lipstick – Whitney
Uoma Beauty is also a Black-owned business that knows how to deliver lipsticks that looks good on dark skin. Whitney is a hot coral pink that is highly vibrant and will attract lots of attention! If that’s what you’re looking for. There are 15 other shades to choose from, if you prefer to tone things down a bit.
9. Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color – Rebel Rose
Rebel Rose is a vibrant magenta pink perfect for dark skin. This lipstick color is perfect for a night out with your girlfriends, concerts, and other semi-casual events.
Best Brown and Nude Lipsticks for Dark Skin
Dark browns and nudes look the best on dark skin, so it’s no surprise that some of the best lipsticks for dark skin fall into this color category.
10. Maybelline Color Sensational The Buffs Lipcolor – Untainted Spice
Untainted spice is a gorgeous brown/nude color for dark skin. It goes on so smoothly, and it’s a great lipstick for people who prefer to stay away from mattes. 
11. NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream – London
London is a lighter nude, but not to worry! These light nude colors still look great on dark skin. A helpful tip is to apply lip liner under it to keep it from looking ashy and helping the color stay on longer.
12. NARS Audacious Lipstick – Deborah
Deborah is a gorgeous chocolate color that complements dark skin beautifully. Not only that, but it goes on satiny smooth and lasts all day. 
13. Lime Crime Matte Velvetine Lipstick – Cindy
Cindy is a terracotta brown, somewhere between a chocolate nude and a peachy nude.
14. Lipstick Queen Saint Sheer Lipstick – Natural
This lipstick is actually sheer with a peachy tint to your lips that looks barely there!
15. Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint – Unveil
Rihanna put her foot into creating the Fenty line, and her lip paints do not disappoint! Unveil is a perfect nude for dark skin. 
16. Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick – Protector
Protector is an intense brown liquid lipstick. It’s perfect for dark skin, and it comes in a matte finish for a dramatic look. It’s highly pigmented, so it won’t fade or crack on your lips.
17. Uoma Beauty Black Magic Hypnotic Impact High Shine Lipstick (SheTore)
Uoma Beauty reformulated their Black Magic Lipstick lines to be 100% vegan as the brand makes a move towards a 100% vegan status. With this reformulation, their award-winning Black Magic Lipstick was also transformed from its original metallic formula to a new stunning, high shine gloss lipstick.
18. KVD Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick – Lolita
Lolita is also a darker nude that looks amazing on darker skin.
Best Purple Lipsticks for Black Women
some of these purples are very daring and bright or pastel, but that’s exactly why we should wear them! Dark skin looks amazing in bright and pastel colors.
19. The Lip Bar Vegan Lipstick – Purple Rain
Don’t be intimidated by the brightness of this lipstick! Dark skin can wear bright colors and look damn good in them! Purple Rain is a gorgeous color for dark skin, and it comes from a black-owned brand vegan brand.
20. NYX Professional Makeup Suede Matte Lipstick – Violet Smoke
Pastel colors can seem scary to people with dark skin due to the risk of looking ashy. Still, this lipstick is a creamy matte lipstick with a velvety smooth formula. Pair it with a lip liner to make it pop and last all day.
21. Uoma Beauty Badass Icon Matte Lipstick -Chaka (Pink Mauve)
Matte lipsticks are known for staying all day while giving very vibrant colors. This pink mauve colour is no exception.
22. NYX Professional Makeup Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick – Amethyst
This is a very vibrant liquid lipstick that looks amazing on dark skin. It’s a matte lipstick, so it has long-wear power and strong colors that doesn’t fade too quickly. 
23. Coloured Raine Arabian Night Stain Lipstick
This is a great lipstick for people who aren’t into liquid matte lipsticks, but it still has a gorgeous vibrant color. Filled with an abundance of natural moisturizing ingredients, this lipstick does wonders for the lips.
Best Green and Blue Lipsticks For Black Women
I know some people will look at this crazy and wonder why these colors are included, but some amazing green and blue lipsticks complement dark skin beautifully. They deserve to be recognized. We don’t have to shy away from daring lipstick colors.
24. MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip – Young Attitude
Young Attitude is a dark teal/green color perfect for a night out. Dark greens such as this complement dark skin beautifully. It’s highly pigmented, and the color is very vibrant. 
25. KVD Beauty Everlasting Liquid Lipstick – Echo
Echo is a dark navy blue that’ll make you look mysterious and sophisticated. It almost looks black, but the navy tones really stand out. 
26. Too Faced Melted Matte-tallic Lipstick – The Real Teal
The Real Teal is a metallic color that can feel intimidating at first, but once you get it on your lips, you’re going to feel unstoppable. 
Best Orange Lipsticks for Women of Color
Orange lipstick is not all too common compared to the others, but dark skin looks amazing in orange, so there’s no doubting that orange lipstick will look phenomenal on dark skin.
27. Smashbox Always On Longwear Matte Liquid Lipstick – Out Loud
Don’t be afraid of trying out this lipstick. It’s a deep orange that blends with dark skin amazingly.
28. MAC Retro Matte Metallic Liquid Lipcolor – Foiled
Foiled is a lighter orange with a metallic finish to add some drama to the look. It’s not too vibrant at all and could be worn for a date or a night out. 
29. Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick Coffee Edition – Caramel Collector
Caramel Collector is similar to a light nude. Still, it has more of an orange tone that looks lovely on dark skin.
30. Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick – Tiger Tini
If you are looking for a vibrant orange, Tiger Tini is your girl! Fenty lipsticks are highly pigmented, and Tiger Tini is described as ‘exotic orange.’ 
Conclusion
Regardless if you’re a diva who always reaches for those vibrant, out-of-this-world hues or a more subdued, dark, and mysterious gal, there is a lipstick for you. Don’t let anyone discourage you from wearing your chosen color!