On Black or Brown skin, a gloss is chosen first by its temperature: caramel, orange and mango on a warm undertone; plum, violet and raspberry on a cool undertone; deep brown and luminous sheer for everyone. Pale pink or light beige glosses grey pigmented lips. Here are the five colours that work, how to choose them according to your undertone and your lips, and how to wear them.
This article is part of our guide to lip makeup for Black skin.
Why gloss is the natural ally of Black skin
Because it brings the light and dimension that deeper skin absorbs, it harmonises two-toned lips without covering them, and it's comfortable where a matte dries and switches off. A tinted gloss is also the simplest product to start with: one coat, a mirror, done.
The 5 colours that work
| Colour | Effect | Undertone | NEW BLACK shade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luminous sheer | Leaves the natural colour of the lips, adds shine | All | Eau de Coco |
| Caramel, warm nude | The "nude" of Black skin, warms | Warm, neutral | Datte |
| Orange, mango | Healthy glow, vitamin boost | Warm, olive | Mangue |
| Deep brown | Intense and natural, sculpts the mouth | All, dark skin | Maracuja |
| Plum, violet | Elegant contrast, evening | Cool, neutral | Safou |
To avoid: candy pink, light beige, pearly white, silver glitter.
According to your undertone
Warm: Datte, Mangue. Cool: Safou. Neutral: Maracuja, Datte. Olive or mixed-heritage: Mangue, Datte. Not sure: Eau de Coco, which goes over anything. The undertone is found in three minutes: Know your undertone.
According to your lips
- Two-toned lips (darker upper lip): a tinted gloss (Datte, Maracuja) applied more generously on the lighter lip, or a liner in the shade of the dark lip blended into the centre. Never a light gloss to "lighten" the dark lip.
- Very pigmented, dark lips: Maracuja and Safou extend the colour; Eau de Coco reveals it as it is.
- Thin lips: a light gloss in the centre (Eau de Coco) adds volume; dark colours everywhere thin them.
- Dry lips: balm in the evening, hydrating gloss in the day; avoid sticky formulas.
Gloss alone or over a lipstick?
Alone for every day and a natural look; over a lipstick or a liner for wear and full colour. Liner in the shade of the lips, filled in, then gloss: that's the method that lasts a day, with a gloss touch-up at midday. A full matte on Black skin is lit up with a touch of gloss in the centre.
Day, evening, ceremony
- Day: Eau de Coco or Datte, alone.
- Evening: Safou or Maracuja, with liner.
- Ceremony, wedding: liner + colour + gloss, touch-up kit. See Bridal makeup for Black skin.
- Mature skin: Datte or Eau de Coco; very dark colours harden, a comfortable gloss softens.
Mistakes to avoid
- A pale pink or light beige gloss: grey effect.
- A light gloss to "even out" a dark lip.
- Silver glitter.
- Too much sticky gloss: prefer a thin coat, renewed.
- Gloss on chapped lips: the shine highlights dead skin.
What NEW BLACK does
Our gloss comes in five shades designed for the lips of Black and Brown women: Eau de Coco (luminous sheer), Datte (caramel), Mangue (orange), Maracuja (deep brown), Safou (plum). Mirror shine, comfort, a discount from two glosses. The gift set brings together two glosses of your choice and a wax bracelet. Designed in Paris, made in Italy.
Frequently asked questions
What colour gloss for Black skin?
Caramel, orange or mango on a warm undertone; plum or violet on cool; deep brown or luminous sheer for all. Avoid pale pink and light beige.
Which nude gloss for dark skin?
A slightly tinted caramel (Datte) or a luminous sheer (Eau de Coco). The nude of Black skin is never beige.
How do I harmonise two-toned lips with a gloss?
A tinted gloss applied more generously on the lighter lip, or a liner in the shade of the dark lip blended into the centre, then the gloss. You harmonise towards the darker shade, never towards lighter.
Does a clear gloss work on Black skin?
Yes, it's the most versatile: it reveals the natural colour of the lips and adds light, with no risk of greying.
How do I make gloss last all day?
Liner underneath, gloss in a thin coat, touch-up at midday. Lips hydrated the night before.
Written by the NEW BLACK editorial team · Reviewed by Charlotte Mambo, NEW BLACK makeup artist · Updated 9 September 2026
