Verdict: e.l.f. Sheer Slick Lipstick in Black Cherry is a low-cost tinted balm-lipstick for people who want a hint of dark-berry color and shine, not full-coverage lip color. It costs $6 on e.l.f.'s site today, up from $5 when we first covered the shade in July 2023.
Should You Buy It? A Quick Guide
Buy it if:
- You want a sheer, glossy wash of deep cherry instead of an opaque lipstick.
- You prefer a formula that e.l.f. describes as sitting "somewhere between lipstick and lip balm."
- You want an easy everyday lip under $10.
Skip it if:
- You want strong color payoff or a matte finish.
- You have very pigmented lips and expect the shade to show up as it does in the tube. Sheer formulas usually shift less on darker lips, though we haven't swatched this one ourselves.
What Is Black Cherry Inspired By?
e.l.f.'s product page says the shade was "inspired by that first bite into a juicy piece of fruit, from grapefruit to a deep black cherry," and promises "a touch of dialed-down color and delicious shine." Our take: the name is doing real work here. Expect a berry-tinted sheen, not the near-black shade the name might suggest.
What Is in the Formula?
e.l.f. highlights Meadowfoam Seed Oil and Vitamin E as the nourishing ingredients. The full ingredient list, as compiled by Skinsort, starts with emollient esters and oils (Tridecyl Trimellitate, Octyldodecanol, Diisostearyl Malate) and includes synthetic wax and ozokerite for structure, plus Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) and Phenoxyethanol as a preservative. The list also says it may contain iron oxides and lake dyes as colorants.
Our take: that is an oil-and-wax base, which fits the "lipstick meets balm" description. Always check the packaging for the current ingredient list, since brands can change formulas.
Where Can You Buy It?
Confirmed: e.l.f. sells Black Cherry on its official product page, where it held a 4.6 out of 5 rating from 974 reviews on September 21, 2026. It is also listed on Ulta Beauty.
Not confirmed: the size in ounces was not shown on the e.l.f. page we read, and we don't know whether every Sheer Slick shade is in stock at every retailer.
September 21, 2026 update: we re-checked the price, claims and rating against e.l.f.'s current product page. Our original 2023 post listed the price as $5.
FAQ
Is e.l.f. Sheer Slick Lipstick vegan? e.l.f.'s product page lists it as 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Will it feel drying? e.l.f. describes the formula as smooth and hydrating. Individual results vary.
Can I layer it? Sheer formulas are generally layerable for more color, but we haven't tested how well this one builds.
Which sheer lip do you reach for? Tell us in the comments.
