Okay, so this title may be a total fail on trying to twist Rolling Stones into something fun. But more importantly, BLACK LIPS!?
Black lips are a must for any hardcore punk rocker, but now they’re becoming more common on just the fashionably conscious. They’ve shown up on runways and in clubs (trust me, I just saw some blonde with black lips in a black mini last night). I’ve actually taken a good month or so to research this topic and was truly waiting on one more piece, but it’s virtually impossible to find, but the post must go on.
Normally, you go to Target or CVS or Duane Reade for your generic lipstick shade. Sadly, you’ll have a difficult time trying to find black unless it’s October. Which, in that month you can find a fabulously cheap ($4!) tube of Wet n Wild or CoverGirl black lipstick. So where to go during the other 11 months? First stop, my favorite make-up store, Sephora! As for lines, it depends on what you’re looking for.
Urban Decay offers a black lipstick for $22. It’s a very creamy like lipstick, pretty matte, but the downside to why I personally don’t like it is that it’s infused with glitter. Not my cup of tea when you’re going for a mature, refined dark look.
Illamasqua is my favorite “cheap and chic” brand for black lipstick. I put that in quotations because at $20, it’s not that cheap, but it’s the cheapest you will find black lipstick before. I personally own this one. I love the beautiful matte look and how easily it goes on. Sadly, it tends to come off easily too, especially on the inner, moistest parts of your lips. I also prefer to wear this with a sheer gloss over it to add some shine.
Moving on and up; YSL recently released a Limited Edition black lip gloss. THIS is what I was waiting for, but sadly, it was so limited edition even I wasn’t able to track a tube of it down! From what I hear, it was a semi sheer black top coat to add a dark tone to whatever base color you were using…I feel it would have been a perfect match for my Illamasqua, but alas. We can’t always get what we want.
If you don’t care about it actually being a lipstick, but prefer something that looks perfect, I suggest Make Up Forever Flash Color. They offer little cases of about 10 shades of make up that is multi purpose. I have their silver, and it can be used on eyes, lips, skin, and body! It’s quite lasting in darker shades such as black, but you’ll need a lipstick brush to use it. Good thing the make up itself is only $18.
Though not available at Sephora but speaking of extremely high end, the only other brand I’ve noticed to make quality, year round black lipstick is Chanel. For $28 you get perfect coverage and lastability. Where to get this? I tried it out at Bloomingdale’s, but Neiman Marcus and select Nordstrom’s sell the line.
MAC also has an amazing black lipstick, but I feel it’s too “sticky”. You definitely need to use a lip brush to apply it, instead of just rolling it on. It’s also $30, not so easy on the wallet, for a small tube of it.
Okay, now for budget diva’s; we’re talking about black make up, so where else to shop but Hot Topic. Manic Panic, the Hot Topic make up brand, offers a “raven black” lipstick for $8…Personally, it doesn’t stay on thick enough so it leaves your lips looking like they have a black over-sheen. But hey, if you’re not ready for a patent black look, go for it!
How to wear this fabulous lipstick look without looking like a creepy ghost/goth/emo kid? I suggest pairing it with sultry, darkened eyes and an all black, but CHIC outfit. You don’t want to pair it with anything black, as that would give off the wrong look of wearing it for the emo purposes. By wearing it with something very trendy, you show that you’re wearing it for the style.