Mindy Kaling reveals her favourite 9 lipsticks for dark skin, proves she's a girl's girl
On Wednesdays, we conquer the world with a red lip
Finding the perfect lipstick shade is almost as hard as finding Prince Charming on Tinder. And things get exponentially tougher when hunting down lipsticks for dark skin in a country that historically throws shade at you for being caramel tinted.
Just as you reach for the Ruby Woo, the voice in your head begins to chirp that you can’t pull it off. Bright pinks have the magical power to attract unsolicited opinions from total strangers. And if it’s nude lipsticks for dark skin that you’re after, we hope you have your art degree handy because even Frida Kahlo might struggle to find one that doesn’t make us look ashy.
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In times like these, you need a dark-skinned sister with plenty of experience being in front of the camera to come to your rescue. And luckily for us, an award-winning actress, writer and comedian stepped up to take one for the team. Mindy Kaling’s recent IGTV video was the relatable makeup tutorial we’ve been waiting for, offering a buffet of shades with the staying power of ’90s action heroes.
Mindy Kaling’s favourite lipsticks for dark skin
Lolita- Kat Von D: If you’re someone who loves soft colours that glide easily on your lips, then this one is for you. Mindy says, “It’s best for a no-makeup look and when you want your lips to look evenly one colour.”
The products from this line are free of animal-derived ingredients, so you don’t have to worry while splurging here.
Shop on: Amazon. Price: Rs 3,832
Monte Carlo- NYX: The next time you choose to eat a burger, you don’t have to worry about your lipstick getting smudged or even getting lighter with this brand. Kaling agrees, “You don’t have to break a bank to have red lips, this one even lasts for hours.”
Shop on: Nykaa. Price: Rs 600
Flesh 3-Pat McGrath: Adding a modern matte finish to your pout, this product has a dewy undertone and is creamy in texture. As Kaling says, “It’s an OG, by the amazing makeup artist Pat McGrath, who happens to have dark skin as well.”
Shop on: Pat McGrath Labs. Price: Rs 3,050
126 X YSL: Zoe Kravitz’s choice of bold colours and her collaboration with YSL provided us with this hero. Apply this while wearing a floral dress for a Sunday brunch with your girls or just when you choose a red lip with a tint of orange to beat the Monday blues. Even Kaling says, “I usually go for a blue red because my skin colour is yellow/brown, but this is an exception, and I like it because it’s moist and shiny.”
Shop on: YSL beauty. Price: Rs 2,673
Ruby Woo- MAC Cosmetics: ‘On Wednesdays we conquer the world with a red lip.’ This is the mood that goes with this iconic MAC red lipstick, which every girl should own as a staple in their makeup bag. It’ll elevate your plain white shirt and even your overused little black dress. Kaling says, “A classic ’90s matte red lipstick, that you must own. In fact, I’ve had mine for so long that it’s time to replace it.”
Shop on: Nykaa. Price: Rs 1,650
Supreme-Bite Beauty: “Hey, I’m Barbie!” says Kaling while applying the lipstick. “This one is incredibly moisturizing and is a cute pink colour. It also has the word lab in it, it’s basically medicine.”
Shop on: Bite Beauty. Price: Rs 859
Darkroom-Kosas: A cool wine tone, this lipstick blends right in with your skin tone, without making you look Gothic. Kaling describes it as, “A red that you can even wear even to a meeting without looking vampy.”
Shop on: Kosas. Price: Rs 2,003
Cruella-NARS: A classic red with a blue undertone and matte finish, this shade is smooth on the lips and glides easily without leaving any stains. Kaling says, “Girls going on a date? This puts you out there, for me I feel a little vulnerable, but for a photo shoot I really like it.”
Shop on: NARS cosmetics . Price: Rs 1,931
502-Giorgio Armani: Kaling says, “This is a real statement” and we couldn’t agree more. This shade instantly makes your lips plump and radiant. Not only is it hydrating but also non-sticky which means you don’t have to keep worrying about the constant re-touches on a hectic day at work.
Shop on: Sephora. Price: Rs 2,718
With inputs from Durdana Simran
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