Basic black took on a new meaning in Yves Saint Laurent’s fall 2008 runway show (above, left, from New York Magazine) with models pouting their gothic black lips under severely chopped bowl-cut hair. Rachel McAdams (above, right) carried off the noir look beautifully in her New York Times T magazine spread. Now, we’re all smacking our lips over the two hottest products of the season: YSL Gloss Pur Black and Lancôme’s Color Fever Gloss in Piha Black and Piha Red (below right).

YSL Gloss Pur Black ($28, left) is a limited-edition preview of a new formula of six vibrant high-shine colors set to launch in spring 2009. A glance at the YSL Web site tells us it’s all sold out for now, so you can only admire the picture. Apparently, part of the beauty of the black gloss is that the shade varies depending on how it’s applied.

The other deep-dark look that’s hot, hot is Lancôme’s limited-edition Color Fever Gloss duo designed by new artistic director Aaron de May. Reportedly inspired by the rich red of a Christian Louboutin shoe, the red lipstick takes on a dramatic patent-leather patina when covered by the Piha Black sheer gloss. Coming in November, only 500 sets will be sold at Lancôme’s five boutiques and its online store and at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street location in New York City (to get on the Bloomie’s list, call 212-705-2886).

If you can’t get your hands on either the YSL or Lancôme blacks, here’s a great tip from Today style editor Bobbie Thomas: “A magic black wand is not required to get this look! Fulvia Farolfi created Rachel’s cover lip by layering Chanel’s Precision Eye Definer in noir ($28) under Make Up Forever’s Flash Color in black ($17).”

Or go with the ultra-inexpensive Wild and Wicked black lipstick for $2 and add shine with CherryCulture’s Amuse lip gloss ($1). Presto! You’re back in black!