The Lipstick Trend That’s Perfect For All Your Spooky Season Looks

You have your Halloween costume ready with all the necessary items such as temporary hair dye, black tights, and cat ears. However, you can still add some spooky vibes to your everyday look. Now is the perfect time to switch to darker shades of burgundy, orange, brown, and purple, and swap your summer sandals for chunky black boots. You can also try some trendy beauty looks that work for both Halloween and everyday life, such as Y2K hair gems and chrome eye makeup that adds a touch of glam to your look.

Another way to embrace Halloween every day is by taking a cue from goth styles. Witchy fashion and edgy beauty looks were spotted on several Fall 2022 runways, including Givenchy, Junya Watanabe, and Rochas. Celebrities have also gotten in on the trend. Kourtney Kardashian and Megan Fox helped take lace-up black leather and tough spikes to the mainstream. If you’re not yet ready to cross over to the dark side from head to toe, focusing on the lips can be the perfect way to ease into the spooky aesthetic while still making a statement.

The black lipstick trend is on the rise

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Whether dressing up as a cute black cat or a scary vampire this Halloween, you probably stocked up on black lipstick to prepare for the occasion. But you don’t have to wait until then to break out an ink-colored lipstick; the black lip look is gearing up to become a major trend this season. A clip of Rihanna went viral on TikTok, where the star sang the praises of a boldly dark lip. “I love black lipstick. I think it’s daring, it’s bold, but there’s a way that it can be beautiful. It’s one of those colors people shy away from,” the Fenty Beauty founder explained.

The Rihanna clip predates the current trend, though she was clearly onto something. Her quote inspired the #blacklipstickchallenge on the social media platform, where users apply black lipstick using audio from the Rihanna video. And in August, Lizzo sealed the deal by stunning in an all-black look — complete with eye-catching black lipstick — at the 2022 VMAs (via People).

Now, as we usher in the spooky season and darker days ahead, pitch-black lips don’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon.

Here’s how to wear the dark lip trend

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For the OG goths, an explainer on how to wear black lipstick isn’t necessary — swipe it on, perhaps over a primer to lock it in place all day, and you’re good to go. But for those dipping their toes in this spooky style for the first time, a few pointers can help your bold lips look gothic and glam.

First, decide what kind of black lip you’re going for. A lustrous, high-shine lip can be great for parties and nights out, while a matte finish is fitting for everyday wear. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this trend your own. You can also start with a slightly less daring take on the trend, like wearing a nearly black brown or combining black and red tints for an ombré effect.

Then, when applying your lipstick, makeup artist Alexandra Anele recommends first lining the lips with a dark plum or black lip liner (or non-creamy eyeliner, if in a pinch), overlining so that the black doesn’t make the mouth look smaller. Fill in the lines with the lipstick, touching up with a detailed applicator. To complete your beauty look, L’Oréal Paris suggests a smokey eye for an edgy style, minimal eye and skin makeup so that your lips take center stage, or a complementing cat eye or blush.