Fade To Black: The Black Lipstick Trend

Black lipstick is not only for the "goths" these days. The black lipstick trend has been popping up everywhere lately. MAC, with its recent Style Black collection, has introduced a black cremesheen lipstick (Black Knight, $14) as well as a black mattene (Midnight Media, $14.50). Poppy King of Lipstick Queen has also made black an option with her Black Tie Optional lipstick ($18) and Shine Gloss ($22). Traditionally, we think of black as a harsh and rather scary shade to smother on our pouts, but these companies, and others, are "bringing black back," giving us ways to wear the color without scaring little children (or adults, for that matter!)

A black lippie can be a great way to deepen up or alter other colors of lipstick that you might already have in your collections. When put over a pink lip color, for example, adding a bit of black over the top can result in a more lavender-toned hue. A sheer black lipstick can also add dimension to any red gloss.

I recently took Lipstick Queen's Black Tie Optional lipstick out for a spin. I'll admit I was a bit hesitant at first. At first glance in the tube the color looks quite intimidating. One thing I noticed, however, when I put the color on my lips, was that the black, in the case of this lipstick, was pretty sheer. This is definitely the way to go, in my opinion, with a black lip product. By itself, the color might make you appear a bit "frozen," but check out the results when I added it on top of a soft baby pink lipstick!

Lipstick Queen Black Tie Optional Lipstick in the Tube

Lipstick Queen Black Tie Optional Lipstick - Alone

Smashbox Lipstick in Pout - Alone

Lipstick Queen Black Tie Optional Lipstick Over Smashbox Pout Lipstick

The black lippie tones down the "bubbleguminess" of the pink lipstick. I kind of like the results! You can purchase the MAC lipsticks and the Lipstick Queen black lip products at http://www.maccosmetics.com/ and http://www.lipstickqueen.com/ respectively.

What are your thoughts on the black lippie? Yay or nay? Have you tried any?