# Black Metal-Inspired Lip Balms e.l.f. Cosmetics and Liquid Death Launched "Lip Embalms" By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-01-12 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lip-embalms References: [investor.elfbeauty](https://investor.elfbeauty.com/stock-and-financial/press-releases/landing-news/2026/01-12-2026-110043694) & [businesswire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112714644/en/e.l.f.-Cosmetics-and-Liquid-Death-Drop-Limited-Edition-Lip-Embalms)  In 2024, e.l.f. [Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elf-cosmetics-and-stanley) and Liquid Death teamed up to launch a limited-edition, black metal-inspired makeup collection called Corpse Paint that sold out in a record 45 minutes, and in 2026, the partnering brands are back again with limited-edition e.l.f. x Liquid Death Lip Embalms. “Normalize the bizarre. Andy Pearson said those words to me when we created ‘Corpse Paint’ together,” said Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer of e.l.f. [Beauty](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pout-hero). "Creating with the team at Liquid Death extended the limits of our imagination. And we’ve been dreaming together ever since. This collaboration isn’t new, it is a continuation of what the people have been clamoring for at the intersection of our two brands- bold, bizarre and bonkers.” Lip Embalms take after [Liquid Death'er](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corpse-paint-makeup) mountain water, soda-flavored sparkling water and iced tea flavors, and each balm comes in a mini replica of an actual Liquid Death can. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.8/10 - Popularity: 88% | Activity: 86% | Freshness: 60% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Limited-edition Collaborations:** Brands are increasingly leveraging limited-edition collaborations to create urgency and excitement, resulting in rapid sellouts and heightened consumer interest. - **Music-inspired Cosmetics:** The fusion of music subcultures like black metal with cosmetics offers unique products that appeal to niche audiences and differentiate brands. - **Flavor-influenced Beauty Products:** Cosmetic items that incorporate flavors from popular beverages can create multisensory experiences that captivate consumers and enhance brand storytelling. ### Who This Affects Most - **Cosmetics:** The cosmetics industry is witnessing a surge in unconventional product offerings that blur the lines between beauty and lifestyle. - **Music Merchandise:** Collaborations with cosmetic brands provide new revenue streams and marketing opportunities for music-inspired merchandise. - **Beverage-flavored Products:** Integrating flavors from well-known beverage brands into non-food items presents innovative cross-industry offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mexican Heritage Bodycare](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lush-2025-da-de-muertos.md) - [Makeup Water Brand Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/corpse-paint-makeup.md) - [Functional Cocoa Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-miss.md) - [Cocktail-Inspired Lip Balms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omy-lip-drinks.md) - [Customizable Gloss Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/self-made-bottle.md) - [Naturally Inspired Lip Balms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starface-star-balm.md) - [Luminous Gloss-Inspired Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-art-week.md) - [60-Seconds Conditioning Lip Serums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/one-minute-ready-lip.md) - [Shimmery Lip Balms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fresh-kiss-glossy-lip.md)