How To Make Black Lipstick

You could be channelling your inner goth, putting together a costume, or simply wanting a bold lip for one night. Black lipstick can create a dramatic look without requiring an entire makeup overhaul.

If you enjoy experimenting with makeup, a black lip is an easy way to change the mood of your look.

There are numerous options of black lipstick on the market. You can get a classic bullet lipstick or even a liquid lipstick, and you can get them in a bunch of different shades and undertones as well.

If you do not want to buy a full-size black lipstick for occasional use, you may be tempted to improvise with makeup you already own. The important part is making sure anything placed on the lips is actually intended or approved for lip use.

So, how do you make black lipstick?

You can customize a black lip with products you already own, but only use pigments, liners, shadows, or multipurpose cosmetics that are specifically labeled as suitable for the lips. Eye-safe does not automatically mean lip-safe.

The safest DIY approach is to make only a small amount for immediate use, keep tools clean, and avoid permanently altering a product’s formula or preservative system.

Before You DIY Black Lipstick

The FDA regulates cosmetic color additives by intended area of use, which means a pigment approved for the eye area is not automatically approved for the lips. Before repurposing eyeliner or eyeshadow, check that the exact product is labeled for lip use or sold as a multipurpose eye-and-lip cosmetic.

Avoid craft pigments, charcoal, paint, food coloring not intended for cosmetics, or unlabeled loose powders. Do not use makeup that has changed smell or texture, and keep brushes, spatulas, and containers clean to reduce contamination.

If your lips are cracked, bleeding, actively irritated, or reacting to a product, skip the DIY mixture and use a bland lip balm until the skin settles.

Black Lips With Eyeshadow And Dark Lipstick

If you have your hands on a dark-colored lipstick (bullet or liquid), whether it’s a deep brown, a berry, or even a wine-red, you’re already super close to having your perfect shade of black lipstick.

The best part about this method isn’t just its ease, but also its customisation options.

Black lipsticks can still vary in undertone and finish. Some lean blue, brown, purple, or charcoal, which changes how the color looks next to the rest of your makeup.

Your skin undertone can help you choose a variation you like, but there is no rule that warm skin must wear warm black lipstick or cool skin must wear cool black lipstick.

Start with a dark lipstick you already like, such as deep brown, berry, or wine, and apply it as your base.

Depending on how dark and pigmented the shade is, you can apply multiple layers to build intensity.

If you want to deepen the color, use a black cosmetic pigment or shadow only if the product is explicitly labeled as suitable for use on the lips. Use a clean lip brush, applicator, or sponge rather than dipping used tools back into the product.

Press a small amount over the lipstick while the base is still slightly tacky, then build coverage gradually. Avoid licking the lips or using loose pigment that is not intended for lip use.

If you still want some of the base colour to peek through, use a lighter hand (this effect looks best with berry-to-red tones, as it makes the black appear a little more vampy rather than flat).

Black Lips With Gel Eyeliner

Black lipstick paired with dark caviar-style nails — Black Lipstick and caviar nails

Using gel eyeliner on the lips is a common makeup hack, but it is not automatically a safe substitute for lipstick. Cosmetics can contain color additives approved for the eye area but not for the lips, so check the label or manufacturer’s directions first.

If the product is specifically approved or marketed for both eyes and lips, choose a texture that feels comfortable and does not dry or sting your lips.

You may come across products such as gel eyeliner, but do not use an eye-only formula on your lips unless its current labeling specifically permits lip use.

If you are using a multipurpose lip-safe black cream product, carry a clean lip brush for touch-ups rather than sharing the same brush between eyes and lips.

It’s likely your gel liner came with a brush. However, you can use a lip brush for ease of application.

Pick up a small amount with a clean brush. Avoid repeatedly using the back of your hand as a mixing palette unless your skin and tools are freshly cleaned.

If the product is labeled for lip use, outline the lips first and then fill in the center in thin layers.

Once you have the shape that you want, simply pick up some more liner and fill in any sparse areas.

Use a concealer brush with your matching foundation or concealer to clean up any mistakes and keep the edges of your lip looking sharp.

Black Lips With Pencil Liner

A black pencil can also create a precise outline, but again, only use it on the mouth if the product is intended for lip use.

Do not assume every eyeliner can double as lipstick. A pigment that is permitted around the eyes may not be approved for use on the lips, and eye pencils are not formulated with ingestion from lip use in mind.

If you own a multipurpose pencil that is explicitly suitable for the lips, creamier formulas are generally easier to spread than dry eye pencils.

The products below are examples of black eye pencils, but their eye-use labeling should not be treated as proof that they are suitable for lips. Always check the current label before repurposing one:

If your chosen pencil is actually labeled for lips, use it the same way you would a traditional lip liner.

For this reason, it may be easier to find the finest tip possible to keep your lines sharp.

Outline the edges of your mouth and fill in the negative space with colour afterwards.

If you want to deepen or set the color, use only a black powder pigment that is specifically approved for lip use. Otherwise, skip this step.

Black Lips With Eyeshadow And Lip Balm

Mixing powder into lip balm can create a temporary black tint, but it should only be done with a pigment that is labeled as safe for the lips.

We wouldn’t recommend it if you need a look that will last for hours without transfer or smudging, as it definitely isn’t transfer-proof.

For this method, you’ll need lip balm and a black lip-safe cosmetic pigment.

The balm creates a sheer, emollient base, so the final result will usually look softer and transfer more easily than a true black lipstick.

A stick or squeeze-tube balm is easier to keep hygienic than repeatedly dipping a finger into a pot.

Apply a light layer of balm, then press a small amount of lip-safe black pigment over it with a clean disposable applicator or lip brush.

Build coverage gradually rather than loading the lips with loose powder, which can become messy and easier to ingest.

DIY Lipstick Pot

Crushed cosmetic pigments for mixing a custom lip color — Lipstick pigments crushed bold texture

If you want to pre-mix a small amount, use a clean cosmetic container and make only enough for the occasion rather than storing a homemade mixture long term.

What You’ll Need:

A small, clean cosmetic container. An unused contact lens case can work in a pinch, but a purpose-made sample jar is easier to keep dedicated to makeup
Liquid or squeeze-tube lip balm (such as the type shown in this search example)
A black lip-safe pigment. A product such as black eyeshadow should only be used if its current labeling specifically permits lip use
The end of a makeup brush

What To Do:

Squeeze a small amount of lip balm into the clean container. A tinted balm can alter the undertone, while a transparent balm gives you more control over the final black shade.
Add a very small amount of black lip-safe pigment with a clean spatula or disposable tool. Build slowly so the mixture does not become excessively dry or gritty.
Mix until smooth with a clean tool and apply with a lip brush. Because you have altered the original formulas and their preservative balance, make a tiny batch for immediate use and discard leftovers rather than storing it for weeks.

How do you remove black lipstick?

If you’ve ever removed dark makeup before, you know how messy it can get!

An oil-based makeup remover or cleansing balm is often effective on dark lipstick. Plain petroleum jelly or cosmetic oil can also loosen many waxy or long-wear formulas, so use whichever gentle option works without excessive rubbing.

A balm-based DIY mixture usually removes more easily than a long-wear liquid lipstick, but highly pigmented products can still stain the lip line temporarily.

How do you make black lipstick work?

Black lipstick naturally creates strong contrast, so you can either keep the rest of the makeup minimal or intentionally pair it with equally dramatic eyes or blush. There is no single correct way to balance the look.

How do you make dark lipstick stay?

Black lipstick tends to show fading and smudging clearly, especially around the inner lip and corners of the mouth.

You do not need to avoid eating or drinking, but oily foods can break down many long-wear lip formulas. Carry the lip product for touch-ups if you want a crisp, opaque finish.

Do not spray setting spray directly onto the lips unless the product specifically says it is suitable for that use. Instead, blot excess product and reapply a thin second layer if needed.

If you want a matte finish, blot with a tissue and use a lip product designed to set matte rather than pressing face powder onto the mouth. Products made specifically for lips are the safer choice when something may be swallowed in small amounts.

DIY Black Lipstick FAQs

Can You Use Black Eyeshadow As Lipstick?

Only if the exact product is labeled or approved for use on the lips. Eye-safe pigments are not automatically lip-safe, so check the packaging or manufacturer instructions first.

Can You Use Eyeliner On Your Lips?

Not by default. Use eyeliner on the lips only when it is specifically marketed as a multipurpose eye-and-lip product. Otherwise, choose black lip liner, black lipstick, or a lip-safe cosmetic pigment.

How Do You Keep Black Lipstick From Looking Patchy?

Apply thin layers, let each layer settle, and touch up the inner lip after eating or drinking. Starting with smooth, comfortably moisturised lips can also help the color apply more evenly.

Can You Store Homemade Lipstick?

It is better to make only a small amount for immediate use. Mixing finished cosmetics can change their preservative balance and introduce contamination from tools or containers, so a homemade balm-and-pigment mixture is not ideal for long-term storage.

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