If you’ve filed dark lipstick away in the “don’t go there” section of your beauty repertoire, it’s time to reconsider. Whatever your skin tone, a plum, oxblood or burnished red ramps up intrigue, and can be worn alone with bare skin or as part of an ultra-glam look. For those wary of trying a dark lip, can begin with using their natural lip colour as a guide. And then proceed with two to four shades darker than that, depending on how much drama you want. And for inspiration? Look no further than this edit of the best celebrity takes on dramatic dark lips.

Hailee Steinfeld

Make-up artist Patrick Ta used a Too Faced Liquid Lipstick to create this stamped-on deep oxblood lips on Hailee Steinfeld. Paired with feathery brows, a cleanly done face and a winning smile, the moodier lips steal the show.

Ella Balinska

Proving that you can do a bold eye and a bold lip at the same time, Ella Balinska sports a deep berry hue. See how the immaculately gelled back hair is working on the starlet?

Rihanna

Ahh, like the queen that she is! Rihanna works a dark red lipstick with a metallic finish; achieve similar by applying Chantecaille’s Carnelian Lip Cristal atop a darker red. Love how her lips match her opulent neck piece!

Taylor Swift

An indigo lip and platinum blonde hair add to Taylor Swift’s edgiest look to date. Isn’t this just perfect for a date night?

Lily Collins

Her precisely applied lipstick and bare skin make for an arresting combination. Notice how the dark lips are left to grab all the attention, with eyes kept bright with lots of mascara?

Gigi Hadid

On Max Mara’s spring/ summer 2020 runway, Gigi Hadid wore an oxblood lip with pastel blue eyeshadow. Beauty, genius!

Selena Gomez

For Selena Gomez’s latest beauty look, she wore a deep, burnished red lipstick with a textured fringe. Take note of the abundance of statements here – big fabric hoops, a fab haircut and mess-with-me-not lips.