Dark lipstick...how hard is it to wear?

[Cheesyslice]

I'm not a lipstick expert. However, perusing some beauty blogs has given me a dark lipstick itch that I now feel the need to scratch.

Buuuuuuuut...I don't want to look a fool. What makes dark lipstick look good? Obviously good prep and application, but do you need certain features? Perfect lips? Perfect teeth? Don't have either of those I'm blonde and have clear skin.

Any words of wisdom from those who have (or indeed haven't) managed to make something like the shade in the pic (Hang Up by Mac) would be much appreciated.

Definitely keep the rest of your makeup low key. Umm, I think do not use a lip brush/lip liner, but just slick in on more casually. Try a few shades, as its common for dark red to make teeth look yellow.

Dark lipstick works best of fuller lips but can absolutely look amazing, wish I could carry it off. It works best with minimal eye shadow.

If your lips are thin you could maybe try a sheer dark lipstick like Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey or Lipstick Queen's Butterfly Ball.

I've never seen it look good on anyone.

I think they look great!

I'd say the most important thing is make sure you cover any blemishes - I find dark lips tend to bring them out. I've only had a problem with colours making my teeth look too yellow (my teeth have always been quite naturally yellow since I was a kid) if it's a very blue shade of red - in fact I'd say bluey pinks are a far worse culprit. My teeth are quite straight, but it never did Kate Moss or Vanessa Paradis any harm to have a bit of wonk!

You don't need perfect lips - but if you're concerned use a lipliner and apply the lipstick with a brush. It's not really necessary though.

word of warning: many guys love it. I've got chatted up most often when I'm wearing black lipstick. IDKWTF.

Michelle Phan, Pixiwoo and Lisa Eldridge all have great tips for wearing dark lipstick. Have a look on youtube.

Oooh, actually, you do need to make sure your lips have no obvious dry spots otherwise you get patchiness. Should be an easy fix with a little gentle buffing.

Topshop's Lip Bullet in wine gum is easy to apply and a lovely colour. I wear it with foundation, light blusher, mascara and nothing else or it looks ott.

I love dark lips. A bit gothic, perhaps, but different, in a good way.

I luffs dark lipstick and wear it all the time. I keep other makeup to a real minimum - mascara, sometimes simple black eyeliner, natural-looking blusher - although tbh my usual makeup look is bright lipstick with minimal other makeup. I don't really wear eyeshadow, although always feel like I should!

Anyway, Topshop is GREAT for dark lipstick and more ~offbeat makeup in general. The lip bullet in Wine Gum as mentioned, also their lipstick in Beguiled (plummy on me since I have cool mauve lips but dark red on others). They do a black lip lacquer called Raven which I haven't tried but is unfortunately supposed to be a bit rubbish? Rimmel do a black lipstick though if you want to be brave, you can get it on ebay or sometimes pound shops. I got their black lip gloss (called Black Diva) from my local pound shop! It's great for darkening lighter lip colours btw. But yes, have a play around in Topshop, they do some real MAC-esque colours and the lipstick is really lovely quality. Sleek is also good for dark lipsticks as it's actually a brand started for black women. Revlon also do some nice darker colours, mostly purples (I love their plummy balm stain chubby stick knockoff).

Prep - lots of good lip balm, cheapo toothbrush, buff. Lip scrub is also super cheap to make (any edible oil eg olive or coconut, plus granulated sugar and any optional flavouring) but if you want to buy one, Elf and Lush do nice ones. Also, get a heavy lip balm and put on loads at night and let it sink in like a lip mask - you can actually use any edible oil for this if you want to be cheap, but I recommend Nuxe's pot lip balm (get it online or in M&S). Use a lip brush depending on the shape of the lipstick, it's worth having a decent lip brush anyway. Elf do a cheapy one.

srs dark lip inspiration here

I find a dark plum/wine far easier to wear than a red. I have dark hair/brown eyes/Celtic skin.
I cannot wear red- I look vile.
I have a reallt small, thin mouth too. Red just looks wrong ( Drag Queen-esque)

I have MAC Hang Up and it is way more purple than it looks in that pic.

I was disappointed with it because I though it would be a dark wine/berry.

MAC Dark Side and Studded Kiss are both lovely dark lipsticks.

Revlon Black Cherry has achieved cult status but is disappointingly purple and the formula is rubbish.

Tom Ford Black Orchid lipstick is gorgeous but ££.

70 everyone can wear red, it just needs to be the right shade. I have very similar colouring to you and wear red all the time so surprised you find it difficult to wear, high contrast colouring looks great with red. Try Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in Neon Red (really bright tomato red, makes my eyes look so brown - they are dark hazel). Do you have freckles? I do and find either a true neutral red or a slightly warmer red to be more flattering. Try the Revlon chubby stick in the red shade - it's a sheer yellowed red, very flattering and sheer glossy formulas will always look better on thin lips. Go to a MAC counter (I say MAC only because of the wide variety of shades) and try all the reds. Get outside opinions on what looks good too. Then, using the shade descriptions (eg yellow red, blue red, neutral etc) find dupes from other brands. I find MAC lipstick quite drying and matte lipstick is not flattering on small lips.

Temptalia is a good site for comparing swatches and the blog/commenters are very helpful - try posting there.

Bunny fyi Sleek matte lipstick in Russian Roulette looks VERY like Studded Kiss (I too love Studded Kiss). Confusingly it's not like Russian Red at all!

Thanks everyone, interesting reading. I may pop into MAC next week and try some out.