Imagine you’re in your favourite retailer’s lipstick aisle, and despite having a plethora of options, you’re still stuck wondering, “What colour lipstick should I wear?” There are so many different lipstick undertones, consistency, and finishes that your makeup shopping trip may appear more like a mission than a fun outing.
Even for me, as a professional makeup artist, looking for a new shade is no easy task. But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Lipstick skin tone charts can be helpful (we’ve included one below), but the truth is that all you need are a few key guidelines and you’ll see that choosing a lipstick colour for your skin tone is actually quite simple.
If you have a pink, red, or bluish colour to your skin, you have cool undertones. If the veins in your wrist appear blue, silver jewellery complements your complexion, or your skin burns in the sun before obtaining a tan, you have a cold undertone.
Blue or purple-hued undertones are the finest for cool undertones in lipsticks (not to be confused with an actual blue or purple lipstick, though that would be equally as stunning). If you want a red lip, for example, try for deep bluish-reds (think cherry red) rather than orange-reds.
For nude lips, a rosy, pink nude will emphasise your natural flush, while a taupey beige will give you a more subtle look. When in doubt, a tinted balm can adjust to the colour of your lips and complement a range of looks (plus it hydrates). Lipsticks with blue or purple undertones are the most flattering.
Best Rated Lipsticks
What you put on your lips can make a big difference in how you look. A new lip product, whether it’s a bold red lipstick, a juicy gloss, or simply a comfortable tinted balm, is the easiest way to change up your style. Lip tints, moisturising balms, neutral nudes, and ideal reds are among the bestsellers in our buying guide.
Tint and Moisturise
With our bestselling balms and tints, you can treat, moisturise, and colour your way to soft, healthy-looking lips. Everyone needs a balm for a flake-free, hydrated pout, whether they live somewhere cold and dry or somewhere hot and humid.
A longwearing tint or lip stain is an excellent alternative if you want a low-maintenance pop of colour. It’ll give you a subtle pop of colour that’ll last all day and look nice even through the messiest meals.
Liquid Lippies
Liquid lipsticks are more difficult to apply than bullet lipsticks, but they offer a greater range of finish possibilities. Want a lip that won’t budge? It’s essential to have a waterproof, matte liquid lipstick that dries entirely.
For a less matte but more comfortable finish, try a velvet or souffle formula, or get your hands on a high-shine lacquer for a hyper glossy yet pigmented finish.
Make it Matte
Matte lips are a timeless classic that may be worn by anyone. Matte lipsticks that are the most comfortable are pigmented and velvety, with moisturising elements that keep your lips from drying out. When it comes to matte lips, lip care is crucial, so exfoliate and moisturise those puckers the night before with a decent lip scrub and mask.
Classic Reds
There’s a red for everyone: bold, deep, dazzling, or vampy. While blue-toned reds look great on cooler or neutral undertones and orangey reds look great on warm undertones, when it comes to playing with colours in cosmetics, there are no hard and fast rules. Check out our best-selling red lipsticks to find your perfect match!
Neutral Nudes
When it comes to picking your perfect my-lips-but-better shade, a helpful piece of advice is to start with your natural lip colour. An excellent nude is one that complements the tone and colour of your natural lips while not overpowering them.
Colors like mauve, pink tones, and browns are all safe to use. If you want to wear a neutral that’s lighter than your skin tone, use a darker lip liner to keep your lips defined and avoid looking washed out by the lighter shade.
