Black lipstick is as essential to a goth’s arsenal as smokey eyeliner and black leather. But when it comes to the perfect dark-as-night lip color, one size doesn’t fit all. Behold, a list of the best black lipsticks on the market at various price points—from cheap lipstick options to the most decadent, luxurious pouts. With this guide, you’re sure to find your secret weapon.
Matte
CoulorPop Snitchery Female Gaze Lippie Kit ($11) contains both a black lip liner and matte black lipstick for flawless coverage. Formulated with mango, avocado, and shea butter for extra softness.
Satin
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Midnight Mystery ($7). This intense blue-black has soft, satiny coverage. It’s infused with vitamin E and avocado oil to keep your lips soft and flake-free.
Live Tinted Huestick in Legacy ($24) provides soft, buildable coverage for lips and eyes. A 3x Allure Best of Beauty winner, this creamy, moisturizing multistick might just replace half your makeup bag.
Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Satin in Crystal Black ($45). This luxury lipstick has both a creamy formula and powerful pigmentation. If you don’t like the sometimes dry feel of matte lipsticks,
this satiny lip color could be your dark salvation.
Gloss
NYX Butter Gloss in Licorice ($6) glides on with a rich black pigment for sheer coverage with zero stickiness. (And it’s a total steal.)
Sheer
Lipstick Queen Black Lace Rabbit ($16) is sheer and shimmery, perfect for layering over another lip color or wearing on its own for a smoky purple glow.
For a sheer black lipstick with satiny coverage without the shimmer, go for Rituel de Fille Enchanted Lip Sheer in Black Locust ($25). This light, airy lip sheer appears dark gray when applied for a wonderfully unique look.
Off Black
Want a dark lipstick that’s a little more subtle than absolute black? Try these off-black shades for maximum drama:
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Dark Night Queen ($7). While at first blush it looks black in the tube, this satiny lipstick is actually a very, very dark violet. If you’re experimenting with shades of deep purple, this is a good one to start with.
Another intense purple lipstick, Black Moon Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Purgatory ($18) is a deep, velvety matte eggplant from one of our favorite goth makeup brands. A whisper away from true black.
Shiseido ModernMatte Powder Lipstick in Majo ($26). This deep chocolate red lipstick evokes dried rose petals—it’s romantic and dramatic, with a hint of melancholy.
This list of gothic makeup essentials should help you find your next go-to black lipstick. Now go forth and embrace the darkness.