The 13 Best Lipstick Colors for Women with Dark Skin
By Deven Hopp
Pinks, purples, reds, and nudes—with hundreds of lipstick options out there, guidance from a pro is always appreciated. We called in five celebrity makeup artists and asked them to share the colors they use on women with dark skin.
Scroll through to see their picks!
The Artist: Ermahn Ospina
The Clients: Rosario Dawson, Jordana Brewster, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Darby Stanchfield
The Pick: Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in Gabrielle
“Chanel’s new hydrating, long-lasting formula and wide variety of beautiful, pigmented colors, makes Rouge Coco the perfect lipstick. The Gabrielle shade has the right amount of brown-based pigment color that makes this vibrant red ideal for medium to dark skin tones. And you don’t need much else—this color allows your lips to have all the attention.”
The Artist: Ermahn Ospina
The Clients: Rosario Dawson, Jordana Brewster, Emmanuelle Chriqui, and Darby Stanchfield
The Pick: Tom Ford Lip Color in Spanish Pink
“I’m in love with this lipstick right now! Its color formula has the right amount of neutral and color pigments, plus it glides on like no other! This shade of pink is a great alternative for a beautiful, soft, yet striking makeup look for dark skin tones.”
The Artist: Desirae Cherman
The Clients: Nicola Peltz, Jamie King, and Anna Kendrick
The Pick: Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Violet
“I am obsessed with a bright fuchsia lipstick on women of darker skin, especially for the spring and summer. Look for a color with a violet undertone; it will contrast beautifully against dark skin.”
The Artist: Desirae Cherman
The Clients: Nicola Peltz, Jamie King, and Anna Kendrick
The Pick: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in Fuchsia Cubiste
“I also love Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain in Fuchsia Cubiste.”
The Artist: Desirae Cherman
The Clients: Nicola Peltz, Jamie King, and Anna Kendrick
The Pick: Bite Beauty Butter Cream Lipstick in Caramel
“Choosing something with a golden brown warm undertone will complement dark skin tones day or night. Anything in the walnut and caramel range will rock the house!”
The Artist: Desirae Cherman
The Clients: Nicola Peltz, Jamie King, and Anna Kendrick
The Pick: Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Crème in J’Adore
“Marc Jacobs’ Le Marc Lip Crème in J’Adore is another one of my favorites.”
The Artist: Carissa Ferreri
The Clients: Gina Rodriguez, Anna Kendrick, and Maggie Gyllenhaal
The Pick: Hydropeptide Perfecting Gloss Lip Enhancing Treatment in Berry Breeze
“I’m a huge fan of Hydropeptide’s new Perfecting Gloss in Berry Breeze. It’s a treatment that enhances fullness, hydration, and smooths wrinkles with long-term lasting effects. The color is a sheer berry pigment that has slight red, purple, and brown hues, which make it perfect for someone with a golden skin tone to an ebony complexion.”
The Artist: Edward Cruz
The Clients: Roselyn Sanchez and Jennifer Lopez
The Pick: MAC Lustreglass in Instant Gold
“MAC’s Instant Gold is beautiful because it gives a healthy, moist sheen. It has gold flecks in a rosy tone base—super sheer for a natural approach to lip color. On photo shoots, I use it on The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira to align with her effortless beauty.”
The Artist: Edward Cruz
The Clients: Roselyn Sanchez and Jennifer Lopez
The Pick: Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in Flame
“Tom Ford’s matte lipsticks have become a favorite of mine for a long-lasting opaque finish. Flame Lip Color makes an unpredictable bold and beautiful statement that works on all darker skins. Line and blend on the outer corners with MAC’s Lip Pencil in Chestnut to get an even more striking effect—this is a red carpet color!”
The Artist: Matin
The Clients: Claire Danes, Freida Pinto, Rosario Dawson, and Kristen Bell
The Pick: Troi Ollivierre Beauty Lipstick in Bob
“I love Troi Olivierre’s matte deep reds and bright pinks. They’re fully pigmented and instantly brighten the face of the person that wears them.”
The Artist: Matin
The Clients: Claire Danes, Freida Pinto, Rosario Dawson, and Kristen Bell
The Pick: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl
“I also love Nars’ matte lipsticks in Dragon Girl and Schiap.”
Do you have a lipstick you swear by?
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