11 Lipstick Shades That Are Perfect For Dark Skin Tones

You’ve trawled the beauty hauls, swatched countless lipsticks on the back of your hard, tried on shades virtually and rifled through your friends’ make-up bags for inspiration. Alas, you’re nowhere near to finding your perfect one.

The experts agree that choosing a lipstick shade is no mean feat. Charlotte Falber, make-up artist from MAC’s Senior Pro Team, says the key to finding a good one lies in identifying your undertones. “If you see red tones, go for a lipstick with a warmer undertone; if you see a golden tone, go for one with a cooler undertone,'' she says. ‘Lips tend to be darker than you’re actual skin, which means lipsticks often don’t show true to colour, so I tend to put a titch of foundation on them to neutralise the colour before application".

To help you find the right one for you, we asked a selection of beauty buffs to share theirs.

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Akesha Reid, Beauty Writer

"My favourite nude is the Charlotte Tilbury Kissing Lipstick in Pillow Talk Intense, £25. It's super moisturising and plumping and the plum colour is like an accentuated version of my lip tone"

Basma Khalifa, Filmmaker and Writer

"By Jess D Liquid Velvet Lipstick in Rum Cake, £14, is without a doubt my favourite. For me, investing in black owned businesses is where it’s at."

Khadija Mahamed, Model and Digital Creator

"I love lipsticks with brown undertones. My current favourite is NYX Matte Lip Cream in Berlin, £7, as it compliments my skin tone, and is subtle enough to use in the daytime too."

Dija Ayodele, Skin Expert and Author of Black Skin

"I love Maybelline Superstay Matte in Ink Pioneer, £9.99 - a bright poppy red"

Nicole Ocran, Influencer

"I recently saw Lisa Eldridge’s True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Cinnabar, £26, on her YouTube and knew immediately that I had to have it. I’ve always loved browny-red shades and this one is stunning. It’s the perfect warm, brick red in a wearable velvet matte formula. It’s so easy to wear in the day and then layered up at night!"

Tahima Begum, Writer and Creator of Aram newsletter

"Tasneem Cosmetics Cocoa Brown Lipstick in Anyana, £17, is up there. Making make-up exclusively for black and brown women, Tasneem knows exactly what suits our skin tone. "

Ayla Mooro, Freelance Writer and Author of The Greater Freedom

"Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Walk of No Shame, £25, is the perfect shade for every day"

Zeena Shah, Art Director and Stylist

"I am obsessed with MAC Love Me Liquid Lip Colour in Hey Good Looking, £19.50. I love the coverage and texture, it goes on beautifully and doesn’t dry my lips out. You also only need one coat which is rare for a dark formula lip. Statement mouths are a go."

Ramla Ossoble, Model

"I’m a mostly tinted Vaseline kinda girl but when I do reach for something different NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Lipstick in French Maid, £7, always hooks me! "

Aisha Mohamed, Influencer

Nars Matte Lipstick in Pigalle, £22, is my holy grail lip shade. I never leave the house without it. It's perfect for day and night."

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