[Maimy]

Frankly, on the couple of occasions I've worn black lipstick, 'looking dead' had zero whatsoever to do with it. I like a high-contrast of color values. It doesn't get much higher contrast than my fair skin and black lipstick.

For the record, I DO NOT do whiteface. Ever. It is damned difficult to get it 'right' (and, even done right, it generally looks lame), and I don't see the point frankly. I gave up on the whole Paler Than Thou thing about twelve years ago. There are so many elements to the myriad looks embody the 'goth' look - silhouette, palette, textile, texture (any and all as applied via hair, makeup OR clothes) - that white makeup is the least of the story. I think that's one of those things that actually comes close to a 'rule' - that whiteface really doesn't do ANYONE favors.