Taken at face value, black lip gloss sounds intense. Very Hot Topic meet-ups with your friends in 2005. You might even think of Missy Elliott circa the late ‘90s and early 2000s. But in 2023, the revival of this Y2K trend takes on new life. Its return to the scene draws from other current trends—like vinyl lips and high-gloss makeup in general—to offer something a little more modern.
“Black lip gloss is a fun take on the soft goth trend and a totally unexpected gloss shade that is surprisingly flattering on many skin tones,” says Milk Makeup Director of Artistry Sara Wren. It’s also easier to pull off than you might think. Here’s how to get these dark, glossy lips for yourself.
How to choose your black lip gloss
While you can snag one off the shelf, DIYing your own black gloss will give you more power over the final look—helpful if you’re a newbie. “By custom-mixing your own shade, you can better control the intensity of the payoff,” says Sara, who likes to pair Electric Glossy Lip Plumper in Pumped with Color Chalk in Skateboard. “Color Chalk is a pigment stick that can be used on eyes, lips, and cheeks so it works perfectly for mixing with gloss to create your perfect shade of black,” she explains. Meanwhile, Electric Glossy Lip Plumper smoothes, softens, and visibly plumps lips.
How to apply black lip glossOnce you have your shades in hand, it’s time to apply. “Start with a small amount of Color Chalk and build up for desired intensity,” Sara says. Then, add the shine with the Electric Glossy Lip Plumper, mixing the two on the back of your hand before dabbing it on with a finger or lip brush. (Pro tip: Prep your lips with a light layer of Future Fluid All Over Cream Concealer. That way, you can “mute out any pink tones in the lips so you will get the truest black gloss,” Sara says.) If you want to go all out, you can opt for the latex or vinyl lip look instead—which Sara demonstrates here in a bright red. For the deeper, moodier version, first apply a generous layer of our Lip + Cheek in Quickie, a dark berry hue, before dabbing on Electric Glossy Lip Plumper in this case, Amped, a plummy color. Since you’re working with a gloss, which has less staying power than a matte lip color, be prepared for the occasional touch-ups. For a user-friendly option that you can throw in your bag, “I recommend keeping a small jar of your mixed shade for touch-ups,” Sara says. |
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Complete the lookThis can depend on the overall vibe you’re going for, but you can’t go wrong with healthy, glowing skin. Alongside sheer black gloss, “I love keeping the skin hydrated and glowing for a more modern or runway look—think Hydro Grip Primer and some skin tint,” Sara says. Want to lean in on the drama? If so, “use Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer for a soft-focus matte finish paired with KUSH Mascara and Infinity Liner in Outer Space for a matching, deep black-pigmented eye look,” she says. Ultimately, there’s no wrong way to wear black lip gloss. Whether you pair it with a bare face for a low-key vibe or wear it as an homage to your high school-era angsty phase, the soft goth makeup trend is worth wearing on repeat. |
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Meet the Expert
Sara Wren (she/her) is the Director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. In her role, she does all the makeup artistry and direction for our Milk Makeup global campaigns, educates the staff and field team on application methods, stars in the brand’s social media videos, and travels to different markets spreading Milk Makeup’s good vibes. When she’s not on set, Sara loves experimenting with DIY hair colors, eating tacos, watching basketball, and scouring for vintage cosmetics to add to her impressive collection.
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