As a mother of two who is far from a sample size and living in a non-fashion capitol, many trends touted by the Vogues, Glamours and W's of the world -- not to mention seen on designer runways -- might not actually be meant for me. It's time to put them to the test.

The Trend: Black Lipstick

Black lipstick is for Goth chicks, KISS tribute bands and Lily Munster right?

Well, apparently, it's now for fashion trendsetters, too. Rachel Roy, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen are among the designers who chose to send models with black pouts down their runways.

Cosmetic companies are joining the dark side, too. MAC's Style Black collection includes black lipstick and gloss, Chanel's Noir Obscurs features lipsticks in "eggplant black," "deep black red" and "brown black," Lancome's Piha Black gloss is launching soon and Urban Decay's Oil Slick lipstick is glossy black with sparkles.

Yep, fall's fashion roster is suiting up in black. But is it possible for black lips to score points, or will you just end up sidelined, looking like a "True Blood" extra?

What I Wore: MAC's Black Knight lipstick, a "creamy true black," $14 at maccosmetics.com.

I searched my neighborhood Rite Aid, Sally Beauty Supply and Ulta for a cheaper black lipstick brand, but came up empty.

Where I Wore It: Just around the house. I really, really wanted to wear black lips to pick my kid up from school. I even painted them on a few times, but I chickened out and wiped them off before I got out of the car, fearing social services would be called.

The Reaction: "Mommy, it looks like you have dirt on your mouth," my 5-year-old announced. A few days later, she brought home a picture she had drawn of the two of us -- with a black line across my face. "See, I drew you with black lips," she said, proudly.

Yep, black lipstick definitely leaves an impression.

My husband thought the black lip look was kind of cool, but "definitely weird looking," he said. "You look like you're really, really cold."

What the Experts Say: "We often see the dark, edgier side of fashion in times of struggle and you can't overlook how the kids on the streets are making statements," says MAC Senior Artist John Stapleton, on why the company is promoting such a risky look.

But, can it really be worn for every day?

Sara DeLuca, makeup artist and co-owner of Berenices salon in Denver, says no to straight black lips for most skin tones but thinks a black mixed with a berry hue can give a similar, yet not quite so ghoulish, effect.

"It's still definitely a very edgy, evening look," she says. "For day, it might work if you do something like a blackberry and turn it into a stain. If there's a translucent quality to it, it's not quite so harsh."

Stapleton says the edginess factor all depends on the application.

"Some of these lip looks can be applied sheerly and gorgeously -- some full throttle look-at-me-when-I'm-talkin'-to-you," he says. "Whoopie (Goldberg) rocked a black lip for years and owned it beautifully."

Stapleton concedes, however, that a "regular" woman might have trouble with the black lip look.

"We know the lip might not be for everyone -- though they are selling out like mad," he says. "Do the smoky eye with one of the blackened glosses to bring out your inner power."

What to Wear It With: Please leave the black leather dress, lace-up combat boots and Hot Topic Goth threads at home. You're gonna look edgy enough pairing your pout with a chic top and jeans.

Go easy on the rest of your makeup, too.

"Clean skin that has a matte or satin texture with some great contouring will set this against the perfect canvas," Stapleton says.

DeLuca agrees.

"Black lips will instantly make everything look really glam," DeLuca says. "So, just line the inside rim of your eye and add mascara. But -- if you want it really intense -- go with a smokier eye and a little bit less on the cheek to keep that Goth quality to it."

The Verdict: Tricky is an understatement here. When applying black lipstick, you need to be very precise -- if you thought red lips were difficult to perfect, black is way harder. But just think of it like this: Your Halloween costume is all set -- and all it cost you was the price of a tube of lipstick.

Lesley Kennedy lives in Denver, CO, where she is the editor of Denveralamode.com, a site devoted to Mile High fashion, beauty and trends.