Beauty Revlon Glass Shine Black Guide: How to Wear Dark Glossy Lips
An educational guide from the Beauty AMZ research team. No hard sell, just what you need to know.
What Revlon Glass Shine black shades are
Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine in Black Cherry (012) and Sleek Mulberry (013) are dark shades in the Glass Shine lipstick line. Glass Shine combines the reflective finish of a gloss with the convenience of a bullet lipstick. The formula includes hyaluronic acid, aloe and rose quartz for hydration. Black Cherry is a blackened red that appears near black. Sleek Mulberry is a deep plum with warmth. Both offer sheer to medium buildable color with a high gloss finish. The line targets those who want shiny, hydrating lip color with modern impact.
How to choose a dark lipstick shade
Dark lipstick works best when it complements your undertone. Cool undertones shine in Black Cherry, because the red base harmonizes. Warm undertones glow in Sleek Mulberry, where the plum warmth flatters. Deep skin tones carry both shades beautifully. The contrast looks striking. Fair skin can wear dark shades for high drama, but keep the rest of the makeup soft. Consider the occasion too. Black Cherry suits concerts, parties and creative events. Sleek Mulberry works for dinners and fall outings. Test the shade in natural light, because indoor lighting can mislead. The glossy finish makes darks more forgiving than mattes.
Prepping lips for dark color
Dark lipstick demands smooth lips. Exfoliate thoroughly with a scrub or damp toothbrush. Remove all flakes, because dark color highlights texture. Apply a thin layer of balm and let it absorb. Blot off excess so the lipstick grips. Use a lip liner in a matching dark shade. Outline carefully, because the liner defines the final shape. Fill in the lips with liner for a base that extends wear. Apply the Glass Shine in thin, even layers. Build to the desired intensity. Check the outer edges and clean up with concealer. This prep takes five minutes but makes dark lips look professional rather than messy.
Styling dark glossy lips
Dark glossy lips should be the focal point. Keep the eyes simple with mascara and a thin liner, or a soft neutral shadow. Avoid heavy smoky eyes, which compete and can look overdone. Choose a blush that adds warmth without competing. A soft bronzer or neutral blush works well. Keep the skin fresh and luminous to balance the dark lip. Matte full coverage foundation plus dark lips can look heavy. Groom the brows well, because dark lips draw attention upward. The overall effect should be polished and intentional. With the right balance, dark Glass Shine lips look modern and confident, not costume like.
Recommended Products
These are the products our research team rates highest in this category.
Best for: Dramatic near black glossy lips
Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick 012 Black Cherry 0.15 oz
- 012 Black Cherry shade
- Glass like high shine
- Hyaluronic acid hydration
- Non sticky gloss finish
Pros
- Most dramatic Glass Shine
- Hydrating comfortable wear
- Edgy modern look
Cons
- Name from reseller, verify
- Very bold for daytime
Best for: Deep plum glossy lips, more wearable
Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick 013 Sleek Mulberry
- 013 Sleek Mulberry plum
- Same Glass Shine formula
- Aloe and rose quartz
- Buildable sheer to medium
Pros
- Dark but flattering plum
- Same hydrating shine
- Great for fall
Cons
- Name from reseller spec
- Deep shades need lip prep
Ready to Choose?
See our top product picks for revlon glass shine black lipstick, or jump straight to the head-to-head comparison of the two most popular options.
Dark Gloss on Deep Natural Lip Color
Most gloss reviews assume pale lips, which leaves buyers with brown or heavily pigmented lips guessing. Sheer glosses often vanish on deep lip color, leaving shine with no visible shade. A dark gloss has the pigment load to actually show up: Black Cherry reads as a blackened red on deep lips instead of blending into the lip tone, while Sleek Mulberry's plum warmth can intensify on pigmented lips and read deeper than on fair skin. If your lips are two-toned with darker edges, apply slightly heavier in the center and feather the edges with a fingertip to even the gradient. For a fuller read on very dark lips, a thin layer of concealer blotted over the lips first gives the gloss a neutral base, though it shortens wear a little.
Layering Glass Shine Over Lipstick Without Pilling
Gloss over lipstick fails when the under-layer cannot handle the formula. Bullet and cream lipsticks accept Glass Shine well, because their wax bases blend with the gloss. Matte liquid lipsticks are the opposite: the gloss breaks the matte film down into a patchy mess, especially in the center. For a dark base under Glass Shine, use a satin bullet or a liner filled across the whole lip, then add gloss to the center third only. Center-only application gives the plumping effect while the edges stay anchored, and it roughly halves transfer onto cups and teeth versus full coverage. When gloss starts breaking through a matte liquid you already wear, blot the center down and rebuild with gloss alone. To see how the two darks differ before layering, our Black Cherry versus Sleek Mulberry comparison lays them out side by side.
Fixing Bleed, Transfer, and Summer Melting
Dark gloss has three failure modes, each with a specific fix. Migration outside the lip line: ring a clear or matching liner just outside the natural edge and dust translucent powder on the surrounding skin, giving the gloss a dry border it cannot cross. Transfer onto teeth: after applying, press lips around a clean finger and pull it out to remove the inner ring of product that causes most marks. Cup transfer is unavoidable with shine formulas, but a straw and one center blot cut it noticeably. Summer adds a fourth problem: gloss bullets soften and leak in a hot bag, so store the tube upright and out of direct sun. For evenings when you want the same drama with more staying power, the classic Revlon Black Cherry lipstick gives fuller coverage you can top with Glass Shine, and the Clinique Black Honey gloss guide explains another dark gloss that flatters many skin tones.