The Best Lipsticks For Dark Skin

We all know the feeling, standing at the makeup counter trying to choose between a hundred different shades of red that all look pretty similar. Can relate? Well, we’re here to help you find the best shade for you.

In this guide, we’ll dive into how to find the best lipsticks for dark skin, looking at some of our favourite lipstick shades for brown skin and why they’re complementary shades.

Top Lipsticks for Dark Skin: Key takeaways

  • There are countless lipstick shades for dark skin, some of our top shades include rich reds, plums, warm nudes, and light browns.
  • Before picking your shade, check your undertones to see what colours are complementary on your skin.
  • Warm undertones tend to suit orange-tinged reds, terracotta, caramel, and light browns.
  • Skin with cool undertones tends to suit blue-tinged reds, purples, mauve, rose-pink and pink-nudes.
  • For a pink lipstick for brown skin, try Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lip Color in Fuschia Fever.
  • For a red lipstick on brown skin, try Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lip Color in Pleasure Me Red.
  • For a nude lipstick on brown skin, try Maybelline’s Super Stay Teddy Tint Liquid Lip Tint in Kitten Heel.
  • For a full selection of lipstick shades, designed to plump lips and complement your skin, discover Maybelline’s full range of lipstick.

What are the Best Lipstick Shades for Dark Skin?

There’s nothing worse than seeing a lipstick shade you love only to find out it looks jarring or invisible when you get to try it on.

Thankfully, when choosing the best lipstick shades for brown skin, you can usually rely on a few shade families that give your pout that extra dash of colour, all while complementing your skin tone:

  • Rich reds
  • Deep plums/purples
  • Bright berry colours
  • Warm nudes
  • Light browns

But while choosing a colour family is a great start, we always recommend picking a shade tailored to your specific skin undertone. Here’s how:

How to Check Your Undertones

Regardless of your skin tone, your undertones are crucial, and the key to choosing between a lipstick shade for dark skin that looks okay… or a colour that makes your skin POP! If you’ve never checked before, you can find your undertones by looking at the colour of your veins by your wrist:

  • If you have blue or purple veins, you have cool undertones.
  • If you have green veins, you have warm undertones.
  • If you have a mix of both, you have neutral undertones.

Once you’ve found your undertones, you can get into the nitty-gritty of picking between your favourite shades.

How Undertones Affect Lipstick Shades for Dark Skin

We’re big believers that you can make any shade of lipstick that you like work, but there’s no denying that certain shades pair better with certain undertones. Here’s a quick guide on how to pick between lipstick shades for brown skin based on your undertones:

Undertones Colours to Try Colours to Skip
Cool Blue-y reds, raspberry, plum, mauve, rose pink, pink nudes. Orange, coral, peach nudes.
Warm Orange-y reds, terracotta, caramel, browns, coral, peach. Blues, blue-y pinks.
Neutral Red, dusty rose, medium-nudes, rosy browns, soft berries. None!

The Best Pink Lipsticks for Brown Skin

Fuschia Fever

Bright, bold, and perfect for standing out, Fuschia Fever is one of our favourite lipstick shades for brown skin. Designed to capture looks, Fuschia Fever is a perfect complement to darker skin with cool undertones, making your lips look fuller and richer.

Ideal for: A big night out or a summer’s day party.

Undertone: Best for cool babes.

Romantic

Hot pink. It’s bold, it’s iconic, and it’s a perfect pink lipstick for brown skin. While paler pinks can wash out darker skin and end up looking ashy, bold pinks, like Maybelline’s Superstay Matte Ink™ Liquid Lipstick in Romantic, have the opposite effect, enhancing undertones and adding a vibrant glow to the skin.

Ideal for: Date night.

Undertone: Best for warm undertoned beauties.

  • Romantic

The Best Red Lipstick for Brown Skin

Plum Perfect

A deep, purple-tinged Plum Perfect is one of our favourite red lipsticks for brown skin with cool undertones. Classy and rich in colour, Plum Perfect is ideal for plumping lips and adding to your natural glow.

Ideal for: A classy evening meal, or a big work meeting.

Undertone: Best for cool undertones.

  • Plum Perfect

Pleasure Me Red

Another deep red, but this time with a more orange undercurrent, Pleasure Me Red is a perfect red lipstick for brown skin with warmer undertones. Ideal for being dressed up or dressed down, Pleasure Me Red is a versatile and complementary shade.

Ideal for: Everyday wear.

Undertone: Works a treat on warm undertones.

  • Pleasure Me Red

The Best Nude Lipstick on Brown Skin

Extra

A glossy nude with a warm cocoa-brown undercurrent, our Super Stay Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lipcolor in Extra delivers no-budge saturated vinyl colour, lasting for up to 16 hours after application.

Ideal for: All-day wear, Christmas parties.

Undertone: Works wonders on warm undertones.

  • Extra

Kitten Heel

A super-soft, but still long-lasting tint, our Super Stay Teddy Tint Liquid Lip Tint in Kitten Heel is a subtle nude lipstick that adds a warm, pink-tinged glow to your lips and face. With a matte finish, our Teddy Tint can be worn sheer, blurred, bold or as the base layer of a buildable look.

Ideal for: Casual looks, festival wear.

Undertone: Best for cool and neutral girlies.

  • Kitten Heel

Best Other Lipstick Shades for Dark Skin

Speed Walk

A deep, warm brown lipstick, Maybelline’s Serum Lipstick in Speed Walk offers serum-level care and a beautiful satin finish perfect for skin with warm undertones. If you’re looking for a dark lipstick for dark skin that isn’t a classic red or nude, then why not give Speed Walk a go?

Ideal for: Big occasions and bigger nights out.

Undertone: Suited for warm-toned skin.

  • New
    Speed Walk

Metallic Copper Rose

A deep and classy purple, reminiscent of a fine wine, Maybelline’s Color Sensational Lip Color in Metallic Copper Rose is one of our favourite lipstick shades for dark skin. Perfect for those with slightly cooler undertones, Metallic Copper Rose is a rich and beautiful wintery colour that offers a great alternative to traditional reds and pinks.

Ideal for: Big days out in the colder months.

Undertone: Ideal for cooler toned skin.

  • Metallic Copper Rose

Discover the Best Lipstick Shades for Brown Skin with Maybelline

Whether you’re more of a hot pink lover or prefer a classic red, Maybelline has a huge selection of lipstick shades for brown skin. Check your undertones, pick your favourite colour, and dive into our selection of lipstick shades today!

Discover our lipstick shades for dark skin

Best Lipstick for Dark Skin: FAQs

What are the best lipsticks for dark skin undertones?

One of the most important factors when picking between lipsticks is undertones. Certain colours suit certain tones more than others, a general guide is:

  • Cool undertones suit blue-tinged reds, rose pink, and mauve.
  • Warm undertones suit orange-tinged reds, caramel, and browns.

Matte or glossy lipstick for dark skin?
Both matte and glossy lipsticks can work on dark skin, the choice between them depends on personal preference entirely. For eye-catching satin finishes, try a glossy lipstick like Maybelline’s Super Stay Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lipcolor. For a flatter, more subtle and buildable finish, try Maybelline’s Superstay Matte Ink™ Liquid Lipstick.

What everyday lipstick for brown skin can I wear?

For an everyday lipstick shade for brown skin, we’d recommend one of the following: