Choosing a new lipstick shade is more difficult than it sounds, especially for those with darker skin tones. Given the long-standing lack of diversity within the beauty industry, not too long ago, the majority of lipstick shades were not flattering on deeper skin tones. Fortunately, nowadays, shade ranges have expanded, which means finding the best lipsticks for dark skin tones isn’t an exhausting ordeal anymore.
For deep complexions, the first thing to consider is the natural pigment of your own lip, says celebrity makeup artist Billie Gene. Look for shades that complement your skin tone and pop against your lips instead of making them look ashy. “You want to look for a lip color that doesn’t disappear into your skin,” adds celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose. You also want to keep in mind the level of coverage you’re seeking, which means figuring out what your lifestyle needs are. “If you’re someone that’s not into a matte finish, you might want to opt for a lipstick with more of a satin finish,” explains makeup artist Camille Thompson. “Or, if you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to reapply, you might want to think about a liquid lipstick, which would be more long-lasting.”
To help pinpoint some of the top shades for dark skin tones, We spoke with Camille Bell, founder of lipstick brand Pound Cake, Gene, Barose, and Thompson to share their expertise on finding the best lipsticks for dark skin.
Best Lipsticks for Deep Skin Tones
- Best Moisturizing Lipstick for Deep Skin Tones: Juvia's Place Nubian Earth Lipstick
- Best Longwear Lipstick for Deep Skin Tones: Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick
- Best Matte Lipstick for Deep Skin Tones: YSL Beauty Tatouage Couture Velvet Cream Liquid Lipstick
- Best Lipstick for Deep Skin Tones Overall: Pound Cake Cake Batter Liquid Lipstick
I will forever stand by this luxury lipstick from Yves Saint Laurent. It has a matte, quick drying formula that’s super pigmented, so I never have to worry that it will look different on my lips than it does in the package. It also stays on all day (or all night) with minimal transfer, and I almost never have to worry about reapplying. It comes in a wide variety of shades, too, from classic red to coral to hot pink.
Pros: editor-approved; not drying; longwear
Cons: expensive; small bottle
Customer Review: "From its velvety texture to its long-lasting formula, this lipstick has become a staple in my beauty routine. The texture of this lipstick is a dream – it glides on effortlessly, coating my lips in a rich, velvety layer of color. What sets it apart is its lightweight feel; it doesn't compromise on comfort while delivering a highly pigmented, saturated hue." -Yves Saint Laurent
"I would recommend Pound Cake’s Cake Batter liquid lipstick," says Bell of her own, award-winning line. "The brand specifically prioritizes deep skin tones. Cake Batter is a liquid lipstick that comes in multiple variations of the same shade for different lip tones. What’s unique is that the brand truly understands color theory and recognizes that people’s natural lip tone affects the way color shows up."
Pros: BIPOC-owned; expert approved; moisturizing; smells good
Cons: some transfer
Customer Review: "I am so impressed with this brand. It gives baddie vibes and doesn't make my lips dry."
Juvia’s Place is another Black-owned and founded brand that always has deep skin tones in mind when creating its products. This affordable, highly pigmented lipstick is made to show up as advertised on every lip tone, no matter how dark, with longwear capacity that reviewers love. I’m obsessed with the textured, artistic design on the formula that goes along with the brand’s regal theme. Plus, the formula comes out soft and matte, with a creamy formula that never dries lips out.
Pros: BIPOC-owned; creamy formula; affordable; free of parabens and sulfates
Cons: limited color range
Customer Review: "It lasts throughout the day, and the color is absolutely gorgeous! If you haven't tried it you're missing out!" -Ulta
I, and just about everyone I know, swear by this drugstore gem from Maybelline, which has quickly become a cult favorite for people of all skin tones. It stays on all night, and even the lightest shades it comes in manage to show up on my pink lips without visible streaking or color distortion. It dries matte and does so quickly, but it can be drying if worn over and over for days on end, so be sure to moisturize between uses.
Pros: longwear; affordable; comes in many colors; editor-approved
Cons: can be drying
Customer Review: "Nice color, doesn't smear at all once dry. Difficult to take off without makeup remover." -Ulta
Another high end option, this intense lip color from Chanel was made to provide wearers with a highly pigmented, long lasting burst of color that shows up on all lip tones. Promising to last for up to eight hours, it transfers minimally and utilizes premium pigments and waxes that evade irritating skin. Instead, the formula moisturizes lips, thanks to its plant-based ingredients. The result is a striking satin finish with ultra precise application and a bright finish.
Pros: intense color; long lasting; refillable
Con: expensive; doesn't come in many colors
Customer Review: "I was a tad surprised at the size of this lipstick tube. It's smaller than what I'm used to. Color 812 - Beige Brut is perfect for me! A subtle and beautiful enhancement to my skin tone. The lipstick applies smoothly and feels comfortably moisturizing. I call this my "Wonder Wand" - Tiny & Mighty! I love it!" -Chanel
This is another great longwear option that was specifically formula not to fade or smear for up to eight ours. According to reviewers, the lipstick itself feels lightweight, but the color is highly pigmented, so it shows up on everyone, no matter their lip tone, on the first swipe—which also means you’ll be able to do your makeup in a fraction of the time. The cruelty-free formula also features primer oil complex so that it won’t dry you out.
Pros: precision tip applicator; longwear formula
Cons: doesn't come in many colors
Customer Review: "This is the perfect red. It never transfers to my teeth or to my husbands lips when I kiss him. It goes on so easily with the applicator and I don't even need to use a lip liner with this one." -Dermstore
Don’t sleep on the Sephora Collection! I absolutely love these liquid lipsticks. They come in dozens of colors, which allows me to find the perfect, exact shade I’m looking for, no matter what—and because they’re so affordable, you can buy two for the price of one luxury option. They also last all day without feathering, and they show up highly pigmented on me and all of my friends, no matter our skin color or lip tone.
Pros: affordable; comes in many colors; editor-approved
Cons: can be drying
Customer Review: "Awesome lip product , very underrated in my opinion but delivers better than most of the lip products I tried" -Sephora
In her moving, nostalgic essay on how Barbie helped her learn to love pink lipstick, Marie Claire Beauty Director Deena Campbell cited this formula from Hermès as one of her favorites. It comes in several shades, including bright reds, burnt umbers, mahogany browns, and gentle blushes, but in the spirit of Deena’s essay, we love this shade of pink. It has a satin finish that doesn’t make lips feel dried out, and it can be refilled so that your beauty routine produces less waste.
Pros: editor-approved; moisturizing; long lasting; comes in many colors
Cons: expensive
This is another luxury recommendation that comes courtesy of Beauty Director Deena Campbell. From Tom Ford Beauty, it’s a full coverage, highly pigmented, longwear lipstick with a creamy satin finish. It also promises to moisturize lips thoroughly without irritating them, and is formulated without mineral oil or parabens. Other ingredient callouts include beneficial, smooth-to-the-touch elements like murumuru butter and soja seed extract. Wear it in Deena’s go-to shade, pink, or explore one of the brand’s other myriad offerings, like berry or brown.
Pros: editor-approved; moisturizing ingredients; free of parabens and mineral oil
Cons: some transfer
Customer Review: "There is no dupe for this for sure. By far the best lipstick I have ever had, and I’m a lipstick girl. The formula is so smooth and creamy. It lasts longer than expected. Definitely will always be in my makeup lineup." -Sephora
How to Find the Best Shade for Your Skin Tone
Skin Undertones
It's important to note that everyone should feel good wearing whatever shade they want, regardless of others' opinions or traditional notions of beauty. But if you’re not sure where to start when looking for a lipstick shade that best suits you, you can use your skin’s undertone as a starting point. “For cool tones, I like to use blue-based lip products,” says Gene, “like a blue-based red or a mauve-pink. And for a neutral to warm complexion, I love using orange-based shades like corals or bricks.”
Lip Tone
The natural color of your lips can impact the way your lipstick of choice shows up on you, especially if the formula isn't as highly pigmented and is therefore mixing with your own lip color. "I notice shoppers typically swatch lipstick on their wrists as a means to understand what the color will look like," says Bell. "However, one should try to always swatch the lip color in the middle of their bottom and upper lip.
"Folks with deeper skin tones sometimes have two-toned lip colors," Bell adds. "Perhaps the top lip is a light pink, whereas the bottom lip is a dark brown, or vice versa! Regardless, whatever your natural lip tone is, it can vary from your actual arm or wrist skin tone, which ultimately determines how the lipstick shade is going to show up."
Also, pro-tip: lip liner is your friend. It provides an even base of color for your lipstick to sit on, allowing you to manipulate the lip color to work for you, regardless of the color of your natural lip tone. “Some days you might want your red to be a bit more muted, so then you’d just use a brown liner,” says Barose. “On other days, you might want your lip to pop. In that case, you’d use a matching lip liner.”
Why Trust Marie Claire
The products on this list have either been vetted by freelance beauty writer Ama Kwarteng or have been hand-selected by one of the four experts we spoke to. Each one is also highly rated by reviewers. We've swatched and tested every product on this list. Ultimately, we selected the best lipsticks for dark skin tones based on their staying power, pigment, and ease of application.
Meet the Experts
Camille Bell is the founder of Pound Cake, an inclusive makeup brand dedicated to creating lipsticks that look good on everyone, regardless of skin tone or identity. She is currently based in Philadelphia.
Nick Barose began his formal makeup training assisting Kevyn Aucoin. Since then, he has risen to the top of his field. He counts numerous Hollywood stars as his clients including Lupita Nyong’o, Rachel Weisz, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Amandla Stenberg, Angela Bassett, Willow Smith, Holly Hunter, and more. Barose currently splits his time between New York City and Los Angeles.
Camille Thompson is a New York-based makeup artist. She is known for her ability to create flawless skin and accentuate her clients features with a versatile range of looks from pared back, fresh looks to high-octane glamour. Her clients include Iman, MJ Rodriguez, Elaine Welteroth, Storm Reid, Jasmine Tookes, Jeanine Mason, and many others. Her talent can be seen in editorials for publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, W Magazine, At Large, Hunger, and Elle Brazil, in addition to campaigns for brands including Audemars Piguet, Polo Ralph Lauren, H&M, Tacori, and UGG.
Billie Gene is a professional makeup artist and groomer. Famous for his glowy and radiant makeup looks, Gene’s hands have graced the faces of some of the most in-demand celebrities such as Kiki Layne, Dominique Fishback, Kerry Washington and Chlöe Bailey to name just a few. He is also a male groomer and some of his clients are Colman Domingo, Terry Crews and Jeremy Pope. Billie spends his time between New York and Los Angeles.
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