How to Choose the Right Shade of Lipstick for Your Skin Tone?

August 6, 2021

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There is an abundance of lipstick coming out of brands, in our makeup box, and in beauty stores. You might see a sale of lipstick in your proximity and upon trying one in the store or upon purchase; you discover to your greatest regret that the shade of lipstick doesn’t suit you; doesn’t suit your skin tone specifically.

What works for others might not work for you. This is best applied in the case of choosing the right shade of lipstick too. Skin tone varies from person to person. There are specific shades of colors that are best suited to your skin tone. But how can you know which shade of lipstick goes best with your skin?

Don’t worry. We can help you with choosing the right shade of lipstick best suited for you.

First things first, determine your skin tone. There are different skin tones around the world. Fair, tan, deep, olive, and more. Look in the mirror around your jawline. Decide which shade is it. Remember your skin tone doesn’t remain the same throughout life. Especially if you live in tropical, subtropical climates or you travel a lot.

The next step is to determine your skin’s undertone. We know, the process is appearing to be tough but not to worry. We’ll simplify it for you. There are mainly three undertones, and every complexion has them. We use the veins in our inner wrist to ascertain our undertone. Undertones are categorized into three types:

COOL: They have blue, red, or pinkish undertones. To check and confirm, turn your wrist. If your veins are blue or purple in color; you have a cool skin undertone. Those who have cool undertones get sunburnt very easily, and the presence of undertones comes upon your face. You might see Caucasians with pinkish blush after tanning under the sun; that’s the presence of their skin tone.
WARM: They have golden, peachy, or yellow undertones. Turn your wrist and notice the veins. If they are green in color, you have a warm skin undertone. Mainly prominent along the Mediterranean region and sub-tropical people.
NEUTRAL: They have a mixture of both warm and cool undertones. If you are facing difficulty in determining the color of your veins; it’s most likely you have a neutral skin undertone. People with olive complexion normally have neutral skin undertones.

Now that we have determined your skin tone and undertone of your skin, we move on to actually talking about lipsticks.

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First and foremost, make sure that you have makeup-free skin or minimal makeup natural face before trying on lipsticks. This way, you can determine which shade of lipstick looks best on your natural present skin tone.

How to Choose Lipstick Based on Undertones of Your Skin?

Undertones matter a lot while determining which shade of lipstick color looks best on you. We will be classifying the different shades of general lipstick colors which are most suitable for your skin tone.

RED-PINK LIPSTICK:

“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.” ― Gwyneth Paltrow

When we think of lipsticks, our mind pops up the image of a red or a pink tube of lipstick. At least among most, red lipstick is our most desired, and our overlooked color of lipstick. Why? Because we are scared of trying the scarlet hue. Earlier attempts at choosing the best crimson tint have gone disastrous.

In the end, we have ended up with a tone of red which doesn’t go at all with our skin complexion. Keep in mind that brighter shades of lipstick make our teeth look more white and prominent. Dental hygiene is a must. Well, we have the solution to your problem red lipstick. We will also explore coral/pink-ish hues along with crimson.

Cool Undertone:

If you have a blue or pink skin undertone, look for dusty, pinkish-red, or coral. Seek a bright cherry red that appears more azure than orange that will give you a polished finish. What shades you can search for while browsing catalogs in beauty stores or online are raspberry, cranberry, and deep plum. Our picks for affordable red lipsticks for cooler undertones:

Warm Undertone:

If you have olive or yellow skin tone and undertone, search for orangey-red or tangerine, terracotta or brick-red, or cherry red hues. What shades you can search for while browsing catalogs in beauty stores or online are wine, cherry red, and terracotta. Our picks for affordable red lipsticks for warmer undertones:

Neutral Undertone:

Neutral skin undertone, no matter the complexion can work with varieties of red tones. Hunt for mauve shades for medium skin, pinky blends for pale skin, and berry tints for tanner skin. Our picks for affordable red lipsticks for neutral undertones:

NUDE LIPSTICK:

Nude lipstick is practical, functional, and minimalist. In simple words, you a go-to lipstick shade when choosing the most appropriate shade for work or formal places. Lipstick of nude tones can be worn everywhere. Be wary of nude shades too. If the nude tone of lipstick doesn’t compliment your complexion, it can make you look ill!

READ: DIY Lip Facial At Home

For nudes, you don’t have to reach for the shade that’s closest to the color of your lip. You can’t find the right nude just based on your skin undertone. Present skin complexion is to be regarded for finding the most suitable nude shade.

If you have a fairer/light complexion; opt for a nude lipstick with peach shades or caramel. You can try out tinted nude lip balms too.
Our suggestion: AYA Meilin Non-Transfer Waterproof Matte Lipstick Coral
If you have a warm/tan-neutral complexion; opt for a plain nude lipstick, caramel, or light-cooper. Glosses may replace lipstick if you can’t get your hands on the right shade. Our suggestion: Maybelline New York Color
If you have a dark brown or black complexion; reach for bronze or cooper shades of nude lipstick. Our suggestion: L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Moist

Now comes the unique bright shades like orange, mustard-yellow, and bright pink. Or eccentric such as blue, purple, or green. Well, there’s no specific guide for them. You have to try different swatches to find your perfect shade. Keep in mind that cooler tones are often more vivid, while warmer tones offer a finer look. Opt for sheer shades as they tend to be adaptable and modest.

Final Take on Finding Your Perfect Shade of Lipsticks:

When buying lipsticks, remember to try them out at the store first before buying them. You don’t want to end up which a shade that doesn’t go with your look. Lip balms and glosses are, as mentioned above, functional in every situation.

Keep in mind to differentiate between different types of lipstick. Sheer lipsticks are the enthusiastic option, while matte offers a long-day modern look. Cream finish lipsticks are generally for formal, classic occasions or gatherings. Retain your lips in good condition by exfoliating regularly and applying lip balm. You can check our guides on homemade exfoliating lip masks and lip balm.

This guide can only advise you on what to look for, not what to buy. Also, try out different shades of lipstick and make your rules. Your outfit, eye makeup, and confidence will determine how good a shade of lipstick looks on you. If you have a fairer complexion but want to try bronze shades, go for it! Move with it! Rules are made to be broken, after all.

FAQs on How to Choose the Right Shade of Lipstick for Your Skin Tone?

What is the best lipstick shade for fairer/light skin complexion?

If you have a fairer/light complexion; opt for a nude lipstick with peach shades or caramel.