50 Makeup Ideas to Wear With a Black Dress

Mixed Mauves

Emphasizing eyes and lips while wearing a black dress brings balance and versatility to your makeup look. You can choose any color palette you want—the options truly are endless. Soft purple eyeshadow, mauve especially, is an excellent example of how wearing color can elevate any look instantly.

Classic Lines

There's no denying that liquid liner and red lipstick is a sophisticated combo that brings an air of chicness to any look. If you're someone who wants to keep it simple but also appreciates bolder glam, this look is a perfect compromise, especially for when you're donning a black dress.

To wear an even more minimal look, makeup artist, Jeannia Robinette, suggests a simple, clear gloss on the eyes. "Nothing and a red lip always looks good. An eyebrow, a little mascara, clear gloss on the eye, and a red lip, and you're good to go," she says.

Yes to Pink

Wearing pink and nude tones on the eyes, cheeks, and lips can elevate your makeup look ever-so-slightly while remaining natural. Incorporating monochromatic hues in your makeup is an easy way to keep things cohesive if you're someone who tends to shy away from wearing bolder colors.

Bold and Bright

Bold or bright lips paired with minimal eye makeup show that the smallest bit of color is a powerful tool that takes your look to the next level while wearing a black dress. These deep crimson lips set the tone for all the right kinds of drama on a night out.

Abstract Feel

Create an abstract feel with your winged eyeliner by playing around with the shape. Take this look, for instance, which features a siren eye, meaning the liner is extended to the inner corner of the eye. We love the idea of a sexy eye look paired with a nude lip and a black dress– simple, but oh-so sexy.

Smoked Out

Smoky metallic eyes and light lips show how textures and finishes in makeup can pop more than ever when worn with a black dress.

"I love a good NARS metal smoky eye palette, paired with lots of eyeliner and mascara and a nice, natural brow," says Robinette. The glistening smoky blue-gray shadow and peachy-pink lipstick shown here are a modern classic.

Glossy Lips

Glossy, shiny lips and precise eyeliner is a quick and easy makeup look that will allow your little black dress to do all the talking. It's cost-efficient, too, as it calls for items that you likely already have in your makeup bag. Simple touches like these are easy for anyone to recreate, plus they pair well with any outfit.

Earth Tones

Earth-toned shadows and coordinating lipstick are always a good choice, especially if your black dress is being worn to a more understated function. The beautiful tones here show just how minimal makeup can make a major impact.

Smoldering Eyes & Bold Brows

"For fair and pale skin, red lips are a win," says makeup artist, Claudia Betancur. Bold brows, smoldering eyes, and bright lips—this classic makeup look is a total ace to pair with a black dress. Make the eyes as dressy as you like—the more dramatic, the better. Betancur recommends completing the look with finely lined rims and a healthy dose of mascara.

Rose Gold Sheen

Rose gold lids give life to this otherwise pared-back makeup look and play well with any LBD. The more metallic, the better—so don't be afraid to pack on the shimmer when testing out your eyeshadow looks.

Hot Orange Lips

Bright orange lipstick brings the heat when paired with a black dress and is a chic alternative to true reds or berries. Not only does this daring color pack a punch, but it's suitable year-round.

Light Shadow Hues

Applying sheer, light shadow colors to the top and bottom lash lines can change things up in an instant. These shades work as a great alternative to a smokey eye look when you're pressed for time or want to keep your look a bit more natural.

Gray Matter

Icy gray and silver shadows can create an effect that is just as smoldering as a smokey style. To create a more dramatic look, apply the shadow to the top and bottom of the eye by blending it outward from the lid and connecting it underneath the bottom lash line for a smokey effect. Then, clean up any fallout with a Q-tip.

Structured Eyeliner

"For olive skin, a vibrant and shimmery coral blush can take center stage, complemented by warm eyeshadows and ample mascara, with transparent peach lips," says Betancur.

When creating this look yourself, be sure to use long-lasting eyeliner for a structured look that will stay in place without smudging. Add a creamy blush in a matching shade to your shadow for a cohesive, dewy effect.

Shiny and Smudged

Smudged eyeliner on the top and bottom waterline can elevate neutral eye makeup in an instant and doesn't call for any over-the-top artistry.

When recreating this look, line the rims of your eyes with a long-lasting, waterproof eyeliner before adding your eyeshadow of choice. Finish with a few coats of your favorite volumizing mascara.

Going Green

Green eyeshadow? No need to feel intimidated– wearing a black dress is actually the perfect time to experiment with some color. And green is a fab choice as it comes in varying tones– from sage to emerald. Whether you want a pastel or metallic finish, green really switches things up from everyday neutrals and is surprisingly flattering on most complexions and colorings.

Peachy Perfect

Peach very well could be the new pink, and this versatile hue looks stunning when paired with a black dress. From soft, pastel eyeshadow shades to a glossy lip, peach is a great place to start when bringing earth tones and natural colors into your makeup palette.

Classic Smokey Eye

When in doubt, a classic smokey eyeshadow look can save the day. As seen here on Cynthia Erivo, this timeless makeup stuns when paired with a black dress (or gown). The smudged eyes and simple glossy lips might just be our favorite combo.

Cool-Toned Contrast

Shimmering white shadow creates a striking contrast when paired with smokey eyeliner and lots of mascara. You can choose to wear this color alone, or add definition to the crease by contouring with a deeper shade (as pictured here).

Gleaming Gold

Gleaming gold tones aren't only for catching in the sunset during golden hour—warm hues bring a delicate glow to the skin that works well with a black dress (or any outfit, really).

If highlighter is all you have, try applying the product to your eyes and cheeks for a multi-use experience that's also time-saving.

Full-On Goddess

This goddess makeup, as seen on Miley Cyrus, makes for an unforgettable red carpet look (FYI, it works on regular colored carpets, too, for your everyday life). All it calls for is some shimmer, shadows, and wings on your eyes, contour on your cheeks, and a nude lip.

Deep Drama

The drama this makeup look is giving us is enough to keep anyone intrigued. Deep berry lips with glittering, smokey eyeshadow set the tone for turning heads all day and night.

Not sure where to place the glitter? Start at the center of the eyelid first to get a handle on how the particular product looks and blends, then keep building until you're satisfied.

Shimmery Metallics

Don't be afraid to experiment with bold and colorful makeup, even if you tend to play in the shallow end with more neutrals and earth tones. This bright blue metallic eyeshadow, placed strategically in the center of the top and bottom lids, helps to define and bring a lovely contrast.

Mocha Mousse Makeup

Some might view black and brown pairings as a polarizing combo, but it actually makes for an interesting and alluring combo. Next time you step out in an LBD, opt for chocolate or mocha hues to add subtle warmth and definition to your eyes, cheeks, and lips. Brown mascara is also fun to play with for a softer, subtler look than your typical black formula.

Soft Petal Pink

Soft petal pink applied throughout for a monochromatic moment gives a natural, fresh feel to the skin all while defining features.

Winged Liner

Make your eyes the star of your look by extending the shape of your wing, then add some heavy shading for dimension and drama. The pop of color on the lips and cheeks creates a radiant glow that also works well with the dramatic eye look.

Ethereal Glow

Ethereal, soft makeup gives a delicate finish and overall glow to the skin while pairing well with a black ensemble.

"I love more neutral colors on darker skin. That golden brown, bronze, sheer gloss look is so pretty and soft," says Robinette. This look proves that nude and natural tones have the ability to stun no matter the occasion.

Pretty & Playful

Liquid liner, defined brows, and an accentuated crease help to bring definition to the eyes and add some drama to an otherwise natural makeup look.

Bold Brows

Bold brows add structure to a soft, natural makeup look. When wearing neutral colors, enhanced eyebrows, eyelashes, and cheekbones are all ways of defining features without wearing a lot of products or color.

Divine Liner

Sharp eyeliner paired with a nude lip and brushed-up brows look divine with a black dress. To recreate this look, start by drawing your wing with liquid or gel eyeliner. Then, blend it under the bottom lashes for even more definition and drama.

Eloquent Wings

Winged eyeliner comes in many styles, and this subtle, defined version will level up any look. Wear it with neutral eyeshadow and glossy lips for a totally effortless vibe.

"This is a look where the eyes speak for themselves," says Robinette. "A little color—like a rose or orange tint on the cheek, some bronzer, and a nude lip—is so pretty, and [anyone] can wear it."

Festive Flick

A festive, detailed flick– add a little jewel sticker if you dare– kicks eye makeup up a notch, plus it adds something special to a black dress. Shaped brows and a shiny, glossy lip are the perfect complement to the work of art on the eyes.

Under Eyeliner

Add some drama to your makeup look by lining your bottom lash line. This technique allows for a more prominent definition, especially in the outer and inner corners. Finish with a few coats of your favorite mascara, soft contour on the cheeks, and highlighter on top.

Glossy & Chic

Glossy pink eyelids and cheeks give fairy vibes in the best way, and the colors pop even more when worn with a black dress. Multi-use products that work on the eyes, cheeks, and lips are especially helpful when creating a monochromatic makeup look like this one.

Shades of Purple

Purple eyeshadow is a fun alternative to the usual neutrals, especially when wearing with a basic black dress. The violet and lavender shades here work well together to create a look that pops.

Y2K Blues

Black and blue doesn't have to be a fashion faux pas. Tyla demonstrates the beauty of pairing the two together. We're huge fans of her particular teal-leaning eyeshadow, which is very reminiscent of the early aughts.

Exquisite Eyes

A touch of highlighter with a pop of bright eyeshadow is a gorgeous way to add some shimmer to a black dress look. Here, the glimmering inner corners help to make the eyes look extra wide and bright.

Naked Brows

Want to go subversive with your black dress? Although it may seem drastic, bleaching your eyebrows could be just the trick. If you're not ready for a couple of weeks 'worth of commitment for the look, cover your brows with concealer for an equally intriguing effect.

Smokey Rose

To create soft drama, try mixing a subtle smokey eye with a pale rose pout. Go light on the liner with this one, and finish with a touch of mascara for a simple look that will stun alongside your black dress.

Bold and Blue

Bold blue and aqua tones paired with an all-black ensemble show how color can make a huge impact against a neutral background. Blending one pop of color around the entire eye is a fun alternative to the classic smokey shadow. No one will accuse you of being boring. Trust.

Sharp Edges

The sharper the edges on winged eyeliner, the better. This bold look exemplifies how a dramatic shape can change your entire vibe. Pair with your favorite black dress for an unstoppable look.

60s-Inspired Glam

Have some fun with your makeup by looking to past decades for inspiration. This '60s-inspired makeup combines liquid and pencil eyeliner with white shadow, and some super spidery Twiggy lashes.

Amethyst Eyes

Soft amethyst eyeshadow paired with a matte peach lip will create a pastel fairytale that works amazingly with a black dress proving that opposites do attract. Wearing eyeshadow with a metallic finish will ensure the purple tone really stands out.

Black Lipstick

Black on black not only works well in a sartorial sense but makeup-wise as well. Don't believe us? Look at Hailey Bieber nailing down a near-bare makeup look with a bold black lip that makes a statement like no other.

Smokey Chocolate Shadows

A smokey eye with deep brown shades and a pale, nude matte lips works is a perfect match for a black dress, says Betancur. Chocolate brown eyeshadow gives way to stunning smokey eye makeup when paired with subtle, smudged eyeliner. The neutral, glossy lips, soft contouring, and shimmery highlight all work together to create an overall stunning look.

All About Rust

There's no denying that rich and rusted hues pair well with black clothing. These shades can be worn on the lid for a touch of color or blended around the eyes for a smokier effect.

Shimmering Skin

Sometimes the best makeup look isn't for your face—but for your skin. If your LBD shows some skin, Robinette recommends her favorite body shimmer.

"You don't have to stop at the face. I have a body cream from Prtty Peaushun with a shimmer in it that I'm obsessed with. Use it on your décolletage, your arms, or you can even use it instead of a highlighter," she says. "It has a luminescent glow [that] lifts everything."

Reverse Cat Eye

Betancur loves a good cat eye, and this reverse cat eye look works beautifully with the addition of a white liner. "For deep or tan skin, a cat eye with gold eyeshadows and lips adorned with warm-toned lip gloss looks stunning," she adds.

Cherry Cola Lip

Want to experiment with a different shade of red? Switch up your typical rouge for a darker version—think cherry cola. This deep color will not only upgrade your routine but will give your black dress a sultry spin.

Lifted Blush

It's not just about the makeup hues you choose, but their placement as well. Let your blush do all the talking— pack on the rosy pink color along and above your cheekbones to give yourself a lifted look.