10 Best Vampy Lipsticks For 2023 – Reviews & Buying Guide
Add some drama and glam to your Halloween look with uniquely gothic lippies!

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If you are game to channel your inner vamp, or make a statement, you must have the best vampy lipsticks by your side. Can’t wait to get freaky with these shades? Read our list of the top favorites and sport your favorite hue all year round! From bloody reds to mocha brown, gothic plum, to dark brick, our vampy lipsticks are guaranteed to make you feel freaky and sexy, all at the same time.
In This Article
What Are Vampy Lipstick Shades?
Vampy lipstick shades are dark colors that are perfect for fall as the cold weather holds your makeup beautifully. In addition to oxblood and wine, rich plums, dramatic burgundies, bronzy chocolates, or even straight-up black lipsticks are some shades that can give you a vampy-goth look, no matter what time of the year it is.
Let’s now take a look at the best vampy lipsticks to channel your inner emo girl.
10 Best Vampy Lipsticks You Should Try This Fall
1. Best Overall:Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick – Mocha Inventor
If you are feeling moody and want to sport a goth look, this liquid lipstick from Maybelline New York is a must-try. Mocha Inventor is a bold shade from the exclusive Coffee Edition with highly pigmented hues. It leaves behind a stunning matte finish, perfect for your late-night parties. The no-transfer formula does not stain your glass after every time you take a sip. This long-lasting pigmented lipstick stays put for 16 hours and has a delectable coffee scent. Its unique narrow applicator ensures effortless application for a flawless look. To get a better understanding of the product, you can check out this video on YouTube.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Transfer-proof
- Highly pigmented
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
Cons
- May dry the lips
2.Best Pigmented:L’Oreal Colour Riche Satin Lipstick – 860 Spice
Are you looking for some fall makeup lipstick suggestions? This one is just the right for you! With this vampy lipstick from L’Oreal Paris, bold lips are just one stroke away. This bullet lipstick offers rich color payoff and intensely hydrates your lips. The formula is enriched with omega 3, vitamin E, and argan oil. It softens the lips and leaves them looking bold yet ethereal. Spice is a rich maroon shade with warm undertones and goes well with almost all skin tones. Check out the review of this product for more information.
Pros
- Non-drying
- Highly pigmented
- Goes on smooth
- Creamy finish
- Does not bleed
- Smudge-free
- Does not feather
Cons
None
3. Best Cruelty-Free:Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Lipstick – Video Vixen
This liquid matte lipstick from Wet n Wild imparts a deep dark hue with a gorgeous color payoff. It is lightweight, highly pigmented, hydrating, and stays on without budging all through the day. Video Vixen is a mauvy shade that glides on smoothly to impart a matte finish. If you want to know more about the benefits of this edgy makeup product, check out this quick review on YouTube.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight
- Highly pigmented
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Sticky
- Patchy

4. Best Long-Lasting:Kuckian Lipstick – Vampy Plum
The shade Vampy Plum from Kuckian is perfect for a goth makeup look any time of the year. This cult-classic, 100% vegan lip color provides 12-hour long wear with a velvety touch. It dries off quickly, offering a finish to die for. The antioxidant-rich formula protects the lips from free radical damage, while vitamin E and moisturizing oils keep your lips hydrated. This lipstick comes with two precision applicators to give you a picture-perfect pout.
Pros
- Ultra-long-lasting
- Highly pigmented
- Transfer-proof
- Non-sticky
- Non-drying
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Comes with complimentary brushes
Cons
None
5. Best Matte Finish:Nicka K New York Matte Lipstick – Dark Brick
Dark Brick from Nicka K New York has a non-drying formula that offers a luxuriously comfortable, long-lasting matte color that does not budge. Thanks to its creamy texture, the lipstick glides smoothly on your lips, giving you a plush velvety feeling with an apt winter makeup look! The richly pigmented formula boosts your glam quotient.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Goes on smooth
- Non-drying
- Comfortable on the lips
Cons
None
6. Best Nourishing:Milani Amore Matte Metallic Lip Crème – Vampy Matte
Fuel your self-expression and bring out your inner diva with this iconic vampy shade from Milani Amore. It has a nourishing liquid-to-matte formula that dries to a velvety finish, making your lips look fuller. This luxe lip crème is vegan and has a non-sticky texture that glides smoothly to give a look of seductive lips. It stays for 16 hours without budging and is transfer-proof. This affordable lipstick is easy to apply due to its double-sided flexible plush applicator.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Transfer-resistant
- Nourishing
- Non-sticky
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- Does not go on smooth

7. Best Hue:Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick – Merlot
This amazing blend of red and berry is an incredible vampy shade that flatters all skin tones. It is perfect for night outs or when you want to try out something bold. The smooth satin lip color stays on for a long time and is extremely lightweight. It is highly pigmented and goes opaque and gives you a classic look that suits your mood and occasion.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Moisturizing
- Cruelty-free
- Long-lasting
- Goes on smooth
- Highly pigmented
Cons
None
8. Best Non-Toxic:Mented Semi Matte Lipstick – Mented #5
Mented#5 is a purple-brown blend that is perfect to boost your glam quotient, whether you are heading for an office meeting or simply glamming up for selfies. This vampy lipstick from Mented enhances your appearance with the statement lip look and emphasizes your bright smile. The shade also effectively flatters any skin tone. Its extremely hydrating formula moisturizes your lips to keep them flake-free.
Pros
- Hydrating
- Lightweight
- Non-toxic
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Vegan
Cons
None

9. Best Velvety Finish:Aromi Matte Liquid Lipstick – Gothic Plum
Your Halloween makeup look is all sorted with the Gothic Plum shade from Aromi. This black plum color with blue undertones is great for cooler skin tones. Its creamy glossy texture dries up faster to give your lips a velvety touch and an incredible matte finish. This vegan lipstick is super lightweight and highly pigmented and feels comfortable on the lips. Quite the best for a gothic makeup look!
Pros
- Lightweight
- Highly pigmented
- Long-lasting
- Opaque
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
None
10. Best Coverage:Yves Saint Laurent Vernis A Levres Vinyl Cream Lip Stain – Rouge Vinyle
Want to look risqué in your statement makeup look? Try out this high-end lipstick from Yves Saint Laurent. This glossy lip stain has a hydrating formula that nourishes dry or chapped lips. It offers rich color payoff and stays put for 10 hours without fading or feathering. The luxuriously soft diamond-shaped applicators ensure easy and precise application with full coverage.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Non-drying
- Long-lasting
- Does not feather or fade
Cons
None
Dark lips can be intimidating, but they are a great way to switch up your look. Want to know how to choose a vampy lip color as per your skin tone? Take a look at the section below!
How Do You Choose A Vampy Lipstick According To Your Skin Tone?
A lip color with a blue base would work wonders for cooler undertones, while something with a yellow base would render impeccable results for those with warmer undertones. Those with medium tan skin must look out for reddish-brown and plum hues. Deep maroon or burgundy would be a good bet for olive skin tones, and bold shades like dark chocolate brown or deep purple go well with deep skin tones.
The Bottom Line
Vampy lipsticks are your best bet if you want to go bold and vibrant with your lip color. They add a unique element to your overall look. The Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick – Mocha Inventor offers a transfer-proof formula and easy removal, while the Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit Lipstick – Video Vixen is highly-pigmented and hydrating. The Mented Semi Matte Lipstick – Mented #5 is non-flaking and suits every skin tone. The shades listed in this article will not only make heads turn but also keep those lips hydrated and prevent them from getting chapped. Each of these lip colors are highly pigmented and long-lasting. From oxblood and wine to rich plums, dramatic burgundies, bronzy chocolates, or even black lipsticks, you will find a pick based on your preferences. While choosing a vampy lip color, make sure you consider the undertone!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup artistry. She has curated this list of the best vampy lipsticks after carefully browsing through online reviews and trying some of the products out herself. Her list features lipsticks that are available in red, mocha brown, and gothic plum shades. Not only are these vampy lipsticks transfer-proof, long-lasting, and easy to apply, but they’re also highly pigmented, smudge-proof, and glide on smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to wear dark lipstick casually?
1. Select the shade considering your skin’s undertone.
2. Select the finish – glossy or matte. Choose matte for daytime and glossy for evenings.
3. Exfoliate your lips to get rid of flakes so that you get a smooth base.
4. Moisturize your lips with a lip balm to avoid a cakey look.
5. Once you are done prepping your lips, apply the lipstick. Apply the lip color, line your lips with a matching lip liner for the perfect finish, blot with a tissue, powder lightly, add a little bit more color – and you are done!
6. Balance out the dramatic makeup look by keeping your makeup simple. Choose a light, dewy foundation for a flawless backdrop.
Pro Tip: If you are stepping out for an evening date or party, pair your dark lips with bold makeup to achieve a statement-making, gorgeous look.
What skin tone does vampy lipstick look good on?
Hints of brown, caramel, and blue go well with medium, dusky, and olive tones. Pink and deep blue look good on warmer undertones.
What does vamp mean in fashion?
Vamp fashion is loosely related to vampires and refers to wearing dark clothes and lipsticks. The ‘vamp look’ took its name because of the similarity between the heavy, almond-shaped eyes and the dark-lined eyes of a vampire. Blood-red lipstick and soot-black eyes reflect the real essence of vamp fashion.
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