I LOVE YOU BUT I'VE CHOSEN DARKNESS

I LOVE YOU BUT I'VE CHOSEN DARKNESS

Morticia Addams called, she wants her black lipstick stash back.


I’ve tried hot pink, purple, and even orange lips. But black? It always seemed a bit too Halloween-in-July for me. Then I spotted Rachel McAdams on the cover of a magazine in full-on onyx, and it somehow worked.

If you like the look but want to turn down the volume, Urban Decay, Estee Lauder, and Clinique all have shades that give you a hint of darkness with a sheer stain.

For color without the, ahem, financial commitment, check out the black shades from Hot Topic, Milani, and Maybelline for under $6.

And if you’re ready for a blackout but didn’t get your order of YSL’s new Pur Black gloss in before it sold out, try “Cyber” from MAC or “Cassis” from Laura Mercier; their decadent colors are balanced out by a hint of purple and brown, respectively.

The Cure's Greatest Hits, unfortunately, is sold separately.
REBECCA WILLA DAVIS

Urban Decay Lipstick in “Apocalypse” - $22

Estee Lauder Lipstick in “Black Truffle” - $21

Clinique Lipstick in “Black Violet” - $14

Hot Topic Lipstick in “Black” - $3.99

Milani Lipstick in “Black Cherry” - $3.49

Maybelline Lipstick in “Velvet Crush” - $5.59

MAC Lipstick in “Cyber” - $14

Laura Mercier Lip Velvet in “Cassis” - $22




This story was published on August 28, 2008.


CONTENT RATING: ( 64 )

Megan

08/28/2008


I love this trend! I bought the Urban Decay Lipstick in "Apocalypse." It's not as dark as it looks, and it goes on smoothly.

Marina

08/28/2008


I used to wear dark lipstick shades all the time. I loved them, but the only problem with dark lip shades is that it makes your mouth look smaller. But I think dark shades, maybe even black, can look good for the fall season.

lidia

08/28/2008


i think its great!! although, only really dark skin or really light skin people can pull it off. my opionion anyway.

Angela

08/28/2008


it kinda reminds me of pleasentville when the mom turns into color but toby maguire helps her cover up the color with the gray make-up she had. well in other words i love it! i second what lidia said.

zoe

08/28/2008


what are we on high school all over again? This trend is a no no at least for me.

POW-lah

08/28/2008


yves st. laurent did it for fall and it looked super chic. but u do have to pick the right shade for you skin because it can wash you out!

Susie

08/28/2008


no way. not for me anyway. if its not black it looks way too mature... and if its black it looks way too gothic. it reminds me of myself in 6th grade. which is a bad thing.

Susie

08/28/2008


no way. not for me anyway. if its not black it looks way too mature... and if its black it looks way too gothic. it reminds me of myself in 6th grade. which is a bad thing.

brianna

08/28/2008


come on,it's going to be winter. imagine wearing a dark color on your lips and icey pearl color on your eyelids,hair curled,rosey cheeks. beatiful... you always have to take a risk in fashion girls.

Tallulah

08/28/2008


I always wear black lipstick when I frequent the hipster bars in Chicago.

serena

08/28/2008


i love it, it looks really glam and a bit gothic! perfect for this season.

Kayla

08/28/2008


I love it especially for the fall! And it really shows how black doesn't always mean gothic.

kathleen

08/28/2008


looks amazing in photoshoots, but you better be rocking a photoshoot outfit this fall to pull this look off!

anais

08/28/2008


ok, this is a super cool product IF YOU'RE A SUPERMODEL and c'mon girls, we're not. so leave this trendy shit to the women who can pull it off and everyone else should stick to lipgloss.

Caitlin

08/28/2008


I think dark shades look good for the right season, and with the right skin tones. Personally I think that black lipstick, on the other hand, should stay on magazine photo shoots and runways.

Caitlin

08/28/2008


I think dark shades look good for the right season, and with the right skin tones. Personally I think that black lipstick, on the other hand, should stay on magazine photo shoots and runways.

Katie

08/28/2008


It's wonderful for fall. I've noticed that if you want a 30's starlet look, use a soft black eyeliner as a liner and use MACs lipstick in Dark Side. I blends in really well. And softens the black. :)

kyte

08/28/2008


I'd only wear it for spontaneous photoshoots on the beach or in the city with my boyfriend.

MICHA

08/28/2008


i havent worn black lipstick since my sullen high school ays when i wanted to marry robert smith - i say rock that shi#

kate lumière

08/28/2008


I might wear like, wine-colored...but I can't see myself wearing black. I'm so fair that I think I'd look gothic.

callista marie

08/28/2008


Haha yes I'd have to agree with Anias & Kathleen...unless you have an equally dramatic photo shoot worthy outfit or have supermodel looks, its a difficult shade to pull off. Black liptstick reminds me of my mansonite-hot topic mallrat period of life. I was thirteen. And yes, black lipstick made my already thin lips look like a shriveled up clam. But hey, for all you adventurous types go for it. I'm all for eccentricity & fashion, they go hand and hand in my humble opinion.

kyte

08/28/2008


Oh, and YES! Put it in NYLON! I'd expect it from you.

KATIE

08/28/2008


i'm lovin' in. i don't so much like black black but i think the dark with the glossy is great!

Alyssa

08/28/2008


This trend, as well as any other outrageous one, take a girl with lots of style and flare. If you can walk down the street with the attitude to back it up; then i say GO FOR IT!

emma

08/28/2008


I think I'd be far too self-conscious to opt for the look at the moment, but in deepest darkest winter possibly. I still think however that it's up there with the best trends; but only if you have the, dare I say it, attitude to match. I saw a picture of a girl in vice magazine with the full doc martens, leather jacket and black lipstick, but she pulled it off fantastically with a floral dress. So in my opinion, it's a certain yes!

jer

08/28/2008


Approved! We wear black nail polish, don't we? I think it will just take a while to catch on en masse.

geena

08/28/2008


i think it could be very sophisticated and chic, but I don't think I have the look for it. Someone like Scarlett Johansson, Emily Blunt or Jessica Stam could pull it off

Z

08/28/2008


tried it...n' love it! brings out my seductiveness. i think it goes great on people with brown skin. i'm sooo ready for the fall (^_-)

star

08/28/2008


i only like coppery metallic shades with shea butter gloss under them. black does look cool on my pale skin, but i wouldn't wear it out and i doubt rachel mcadams would wear it outside of a magazine. plus most jobs would not allow that look. really only good for going out. it is good for making people look edgy and wild though. so if that's your personality, why not?

ESME OLYVE

08/28/2008


I think it'd look foxxxxxxyyyyyy. =D

ameee

08/28/2008


fuck all u people who think this is a bad idea.. i remember hen i was in 7th grade.. in my yearbook picture i was wearing all black.. and lipstick too but i looked damn good in it.. so yeah fuck off to those who think its gross..

Maybelle

08/28/2008


It looks cartoon-y on most people, unless you have a hint of red/purple/whatev underneath... then you look absolutely fantastic.

amy

08/28/2008


i would love for this to work but try wearing that down your local and not getting critisized i am all for individuality but i think this is a step too far down the wierdness path sorry !!! but i have giving full points for anyone who has the balls to wear it !

CHARLIE JONES

08/28/2008


WARNING: BLACK LIPSTICK SHOULD ONLY BE WORN BY PEOPLE WITH ENOUGH STYLE TO PULL IT OFF. BY THOSE PEOPLE, IT SHOULD BE WORN WITH CLASS. PEOPLE WITH BAD STYLE AND/OR FREAKISH LIPS SHOULD NOT WEAR IT OR THEY RISK LOOKING LIKE A TOTAL DUMBASS. Also, off-black colors like navy, emerald, or very dark red look amazing for fall. My favorite is the dark violet MAC lipstick, "CYBER."

maddie

08/28/2008


i want to try it!

Michelle

08/28/2008


Definitely not work appropriate, but maybe at a night club or somewhere fashion forward? Even then I could only see myself wearing a black cherry color.

Tallis

08/28/2008


Black lipstick has always been the rage for me. I never go a day without wearing it. Although I do usually wear HotTopic's it fades after a little bit. I usually stick with the black lipstick from halloween make-up kits that never washes off or fades. It stays on even through lunch. My lip ring also shows off with it on, making it total chaos(in a good way). I think this is a trend that will always last.

Jamie

08/28/2008


Sure, black lipstick looks great in magazines and maybe even on the red carpet, but in real life? Maybe it's just a city thing, but here in Florida that is not something I could ever imagine anyone wearing just out in the street. Even if you're going out, it doesn't seem all too credible, unless maybe you're going to a costume party.

Alyssa

08/28/2008


I love this trend.Especially Smashbox's lip gloss in 'sultry' and lip pencil in 'tempting'.You can go more sheer,or way dark.

Alyssa

08/28/2008


I love this trend.Especially Smashbox's lip gloss in 'sultry' and lip pencil in 'tempting'.You can go more sheer,or way dark.

Anita

08/28/2008


no. no. no.

TARYN

08/28/2008


YES!! Absolutely love it! It is amazingly sexy in my opinion.

christain

08/28/2008


If you like it, wear it. If you don't like it, you'll be too self conscious to pull it off. I'm one of the self conscious people who had more balls to do it in 8th grade. 'Nuff said.

christain

08/28/2008


If you like it, wear it. If you don't like it, you'll be too self conscious to pull it off. I'm one of the self conscious people who had more balls to do it in 8th grade. 'Nuff said.

Jasmine

08/28/2008


If you seriously wanna try it, good for you, but I think that on most people it would look VERY goth. If you wanna go dark why not just try a deep deep burgandy, looks slicker and you can rock it so much easier than black.

Nicole

08/28/2008


If you can pull it off and have the confidence - YES! I see too many girls wearing lipgloss when I go out, especially dancing - bring back the lipstick! Come on, lipgloss is so middle school! LOVE dark colors!

Sara J

08/28/2008


Makes me wanna hang out in front of Hot Topic on Friday nights.

Claire

08/29/2008


Totally totally. I don't think I would wear BLACK because normally my style vears a little more towards girlie frou frou.... but a deep plum, dark berry or dark red? totally. It's totally going to be a trend though... that MAC ad for the new cult of cherry line has black lipstick... and isn't goth supposed to be coming back into style? And halloween? It's perfect. Sigh, if only to be a pale little funky goth girl. It also looks great on guys. If done properly. If not done properly... ek.

Ruby Envy

08/29/2008


As a makeup artist I've used black alone or under stuff-even black eyeliner will work if its dry enough. The only must is super even skin tone, whether you are very pale or very dark! You cannot have blemishes and pull this off. Listen to Kathleen; do not wear an un-interesting outfit with this look-rock it with fierceness!

Camille

08/31/2008


No.

e

08/31/2008


Hmmm... as someone who is actually into goth, it annoys the crap out of me when "normal" people get into something goth, (such as black lipstick) for a temporary kick, and then going back to hating on it/talking mess when the trend is over. Blah. But thanks for all the lipstick brands. I wanna try the MAC one.

Colleen

09/01/2008


I got the Clinique one last week... it look reaaally nice.

Marisela

09/01/2008


I think it's a brilliant idea. I grant you, totally not a good idea for some skin types, and you WOULD need the outfit for it, but I can totally see it. A dark lip color or black, with like, red nail polish or some other bright shade, and sultry make-up to counteract the lips, with like, black shades or something. Totally dreamy chic.

amanda

09/01/2008


revlon makes a "black cherry" as well for like $6. it's nice.

GiGi

09/04/2008


This is horrible. The last time this was trendy I was in 7th grade and even then it was only popular among the fat Juggalo chicks. NO ONE can pull it off. NO ONE. And especially not with Hot Topic lip stick. Black lipsticks goes on like crap, smears like crap, and you have to remain in permanent pucker or else you'll see those lip crack things which gives you awful zebra lip syndrome. Not to mention you already look ridiculous to begin with...

GiGi

09/04/2008


This is horrible. The last time this was trendy I was in 7th grade and even then it was only popular among the fat Juggalo chicks. NO ONE can pull it off. NO ONE. And especially not with Hot Topic lip stick. Black lipsticks goes on like crap, smears like crap, and you have to remain in permanent pucker or else you'll see those lip crack things which gives you awful zebra lip syndrome. Not to mention you already look ridiculous to begin with...

Jillie

09/08/2008


EWWWW!!!!!!!! Only the gay goth ppl at my school use it. I'm not gay or goth; I'm straight and preppy! I'm so gonna STICK TO LIP GLOSS. Not just me you other (non goth ppl) STICK TO LIP GLOSS!!! Preferably Victoria Secret - Beauty Rush

caitweb

09/22/2008


I don't know......I saw a few girls doing this in chicago and they looked good, It would look stupid on me though. I think you have to have pretty severe personal style to pull this one off.

caitweb

09/22/2008


I don't know......I saw a few girls doing this in chicago and they looked good, It would look stupid on me though. I think you have to have pretty severe personal style to pull this one off.

renee

09/24/2008


it is pretty minus the fact that it's goth. goth fashion doesn't rly own tha black lipstick. i think it's SEXXY.

marylee

09/27/2008


well i think thats brilliant me myself i own a black lipstick n i wear it but not outside in the public u can check my pix on fb cz here in lebanon people are weired

Helena

12/22/2008


I love it when something I adore becomes trendy! It gives me a chance to do what I like in public without looking like a TOTAL freak. Ahaha. THANK YOU, YSL!! By the way, Goths don't necessarily wear all-black (including black lipstick). Those are usually spooky kids or extremely misguided emos. -shudders-

Taylor A

10/15/2009


For anyone who may be looking here now, MAC just released a whole line geared around black, and black lipstick was the hot commodity and dare I say it looks beautiful.

m

01/13/2010


just received bunch of dark purplish lipsticks from MAC and they are fantastic. Can't figure out how/what to wear them though without looking goth, i wanna look pretty. i wanna turn heads but in a good way not a bad way. any ideas?


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