There are seemingly countless lipstick options out there, from matte reds to glossy hot pink. Choosing lipstick is about much more than simply choosing your favourite colour. If you want to use makeup to enhance your natural beauty, there will be shades that are more complementary than others. Some shades will actually detract from your overall look, so it's important to find out how to pick lipstick color. Here are some tips that will help you choose the right lipstick for you:
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Know Your Skin
Knowing your skin is key to choosing the right lipstick. The tone of your skin impacts what shade you should choose. The five main types of skin complexions are;
- Fair
- Light
- Medium
- Tan
- Deep
Fair skin is very pale and tends to burn in the sun, light skin is similar but might also tan in the sun, medium skin tans easily, whilst tan skin is skin that looks almost Mediterranean. While friends are willing the summer to come back, someone with a tan (sometimes called olive) skin tone looks tanned all year round. Finally, deep skin is very dark and never gets sunburned. Someone with deep skin will usually have a black or dark brown hair color.
Skin Undertone
However, things get a bit more complicated when figuring out what lipstick to choose. This is because the right lipstick shades should be chosen not just according to your complexion, but also by your skin's undertone.
Figure out your skin undertone to find out what complexion you have. You can do this by either looking at your veins or trying on gold jewelry and silver jewelry. No matter what colour your skin is, we all have undertones of either yellow or pink.
Yellow undertones are known as warm undertones, while pink undertones are cooler. If you look at your wrists and your veins are veering towards blue or purple, you have pink undertones. If your veins appear to be greener, you have yellow undertones.
If you're one of the lucky few who have a neutral skin tone you have neutral undertones and your veins will look both blue and green and you can wear any color and still look great.
If you simply can't tell what color your veins are (it can be hard to determine because they're faded under the skin somewhat), don't despair. Try holding up a piece of gold and a piece of silver jewelry to your face.
Don't think about which metal you prefer for the time being. Try to be objective and assess which complements your skin better. If the silver looks better, you have pink (cool) undertones. If the gold looks better, you have yellow undertones.
Still Not Sure?
If you still can't tell what undertone your skin has, and think the gold and silver look equally nice next to your skin, simply experiment with different shades. Have you ever noticed that certain shades make your teeth look yellow, for example?
This is obviously not the best shade for you. If in doubt, simply opt for a nude shade that is close to the natural colour of your lips. It will be a subtle, natural look of course, but a lipstick that is only a shade darker than your natural lip colour is not going to make you look horrible no matter what your skin tone is.
Lipstick For Your Complexion
For fair or light complexions, you have quite a bit of variety so it is easier to guide you in how to pick lipstick color. Nudes and corals will always look great, but you can also pull off some shades of bold red lipstick too. Avoid reds that have more orange, and opt for berries or dusty reds instead.
Medium complexions should choose nudes that have a bit more pink added, choosing a pink lipstick like rose. They can also look great by selecting mauve and cherry reds. Any bolder colours should have a little bit more orange in the tone.
Tan complexions can opt for bolder colours like deep pinks and bright reds but should avoid brown and purple shades.
Finally, deep complexions should choose brown and purple shades including plum, caramel, and blue-based reds - you can really go for it with some bold color for a striking make up look.
Lipstick For Your Undertone
Now let's figure out how to choose the best lipstick for your undertone so you can ensure you select the best colour for both your complexion and undertone:
Fair or light skin with cool blue undertones should choose soft mocha or a neutral colors of lipsticks. Medium skin with cool undertones should pick bright pink or cranberry shades, and tan or deep skin with cool undertones look best with ruby or red wine shades.
Fair or light skin with warmer undertones should choose pale pink or peachy nude lipsticks, while medium skin tones, tan and deep skin with warm undertones should stick to copper or bronze shades.
Finally, for those with a neutral skin undertone, you can pretty much wear any colour and look good, be that bold, darker shades or a natural lip color.
Trust Your Discernment
There are countless rules and tips out there about makeup, but the best judge of what looks best on you is you. This does not mean you're a professional, of course. However, if you look in the mirror and like the finished result, then you'll feel happier and more confident in yourself.
Sure, you might have unusual tastes or bad makeup skills, but the point of wearing makeup is to feel good when presenting oneself to the world. If you feel good, your confidence will radiate, and what more can you really ask for? Well, except for your own personal makeup artist!!
Wrap Up
At the end of the day, the colour of lipstick and lip liner you choose is entirely up to you. Never change your personal style just to please others, so it's absolutely fine if you want to ditch all the rules and weird bright yellow lipstick.
However, if you want to look more beautiful and radiant, and not just funky, use these tips on how to find the right lipstick color to complement your regular makeup routine and you'll feel more confident than ever. I'm sure once you are well versed in undertones and the like you will be able to choose the perfect lipstick shade for you.
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Mary
Wow, what an informative read! I've always struggled with finding the perfect lipstick shade, but this post really broke it down in a way that makes it seem much more manageable. Thanks for the great tips! I can't wait to try out some new lipstick shades!