7 Best Black Eyeshadows for Dark, Dramatic Eyes

One of our great quests as goths is deciding which black eyeshadow stays with us for the duration of our lives, and more often than not, it's a never-ending search. I can't even count how many black eyeshadows I have extinguished from this Earth.

Too many of my favorite black eyeshadows have been inside large, expensive palettes that I'm not gonna re-buy just for one pan. So instead, I've decided to hunt down the best of the best of the single pan variety. And not just pressed eyeshadow, but liquid, loose, and crème as well, as each has its own purpose.

Below are my absolute favorites, picked for their pigmentation, blendability, longevity, and feel. I hope you find one or more that work for you!

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadow in Blackout

Best Overall

When you're searching for the best black eyeshadow, Urban Decay is a natural place to start. The brand has been a longtime favorite of mine, and 24/7 Eyeshadow in Blackout is one of its most recognizable shades. It's a deep, cool-toned matte black with intense staying power.

What makes Blackout so appealing is the balance between pigmentation and blendability. The powder is finely milled and soft, with enough pigment to achieve a wonderfully dark smokey eye without becoming impossible to work with.

The coverage is mostly opaque and buildable, with wear lasting around eight hours before any fading begins to occur.

For $23, this isn't a cheap eyeshadow single. Still, Blackout earns my top recommendation for balancing a deep matte finish, relatively easy application, and dependable wear.

Ulta Beauty Collection Eyeshadow in Late Night

Best Beginner Black

This is a great black eyeshadow for those just starting to experiment! The formula provides medium, buildable coverage which is great if you're still mastering a smokey eye. The texture is buttery and blendable, allowing you to deepen the color as you wish instead of depositing too much black in one spot.

I recommend using a good eyeshadow primer to enhance the overall durability here. Concealers work great, especially if you're planning to wear your makeup for hours.

For $9, Late Night is a perfectly reasonable choice for someone building a gothic makeup collection on a budget. You may need a few extra passes to achieve your desired darkness, but that's a compromise I can forgive for that incredible blendability.

about-face Matte Fluid Eye Paint in Art of Darkness

Best Liquid Black

I'm always intrigued by alternative makeup formulas, and about-face Matte Fluid Eye Paint is certainly an interesting one! The shade Art of Darkness is a matte black liquid eyeshadow, designed to deliver bold pigment that dries down to a smudge-resistant finish.

Unlike traditional powder eyeshadow, this formula applies wet and sets into a matte finish. It can be worn across the entire eyelid or applied with a fine brush for graphic eyeliner looks. I especially love the versatility here. One black product for a smokey eye, dramatic wing, or intricate design? Yes, please!

This eye paint can survive oily eyelids without creasing, and it also works as a base for additional eyeshadow. Oh, and it has incredible staying power. Definitely the choice for a night out dancing!

Maybelline Shadow Drip Liquid Eyeshadow in Onyx

Best Shimmer Black

Onyx Drip is a shimmering black eye tint with black and silver reflective particles. The formula is intentionally translucent, creating a glistening, almost wet-looking finish instead of the deep, opaque black we're getting from the matte formulas.

That isn't necessarily a bad thing! For gothic glam, metallic smokey eyes, or a little sparkle over a black base, the finish is gorgeous. The tapered applicator makes placement simple, as well as being super lightweight and easy to blend.

I've found it to have great longevity, certainly enough to last any night out. Layer it on top of Urban Decay's Blackout for a gorgeous wet-look eye that glistens in the low-lit, foggy clubs!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Waterproof Crème Color in Jet

Best Waterproof Black

Anastasia Beverly Hills has long been associated with bold, highly defined makeup, and this intensely pigmented matte black cream can be used as both an eyeliner and an eyeshadow.

Jet is delivers perfect black coverage with a gliding, smooth application. With the right brush, it can help create graphic liner looks and deep smokey eyes.

Going through a breakup? Attending a funeral? Reach for Jet. This cream stays through multiple crying sessions, and you can even set it with a pressed black eyeshadow for further durability. However, if you have oily eyelids or need your makeup to survive a particularly sweaty evening, test the formula before relying on it.

Black Hole Vegan Pressed Eyeshadow at Etsy

Best Indie Black

Now we're getting into the indie makeup brands, and I absolutely love discovering smaller companies making products for alternative beauty lovers!

Black Hole by DandyLionsCo is a vegan, cruelty-free matte black pressed eyeshadow. It's handmade in small batches, and the individual magnetic pan measures 26mm, making it convenient for creating your own custom eyeshadow palette.

The formula is soft and highly pigmented, giving me one of my favorite color and texture payoffs of the whole list. Oftentimes, with great pigment can also come fallout, so just be aware that less is more on the brush with this one. Still, DandyLions killed it with this one!

FUNERAL PARTY Jet Black Matte Eyeshadow

Best Loose Black

Made by CrushCosmetics, here is a loose mineral eyeshadow that provides deep, matte black finish. It's vegan-friendly and can be applied wet or dry, with lovely application as black as night.

Loose pigments can be messy, and are recommended for experienced users. If you're trying it out for the first time, use a small amount at a time and apply it over a suitable eyeshadow primer.

For an even deeper black, because yes, it is possible, try it wet instead! Another great option for liner and graphic eye looks.

Stay beautiful, my darklings!

~ With Love, Beatrix Devine

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