How to choose the best lipstick shade for your skin

best lipstick shade for skin

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Lipstick is a beauty essential that nestles within it the power to transform your entire look. It can boost your confidence, add a pop of color, and turn your look from drab to glam instantly! And there are so many shades and styles that you can never go out of options.

You can pick a bold red to exude confidence, a soft pink to whisper romance, and a deep berry shade to ooze a bit of drama to the scenery.

But with a vast array of colors and finishes available, finding the "perfect" lipstick can be overwhelming, just like navigating a makeup maze.

So, to help you find the best lipstick shade for your skin, here is a simple guide. Read on to learn the basics of choosing the best lipstick and the factors you must consider.

Understanding your skin tone

Before navigating between different lipstick shades, let's help you understand the nuances of your skin structure.

The two things that should lead your lipstick selection are skin tone and undertone. Determining your skin tone and undertone is crucial as it influences how lipstick colors will appear on your lips and makes it easier to find the best lipstick shade.

Skin tone

This refers to the surface color of your skin. It ranges from light, fair, medium, and dark.

Undertone

It is the subtle, underlying color that peeks through your skin tone. It can be cool (pinkish or bluish), warm (yellowish or peachy), or neutral (a mix of both).

While your skin tone can change with different weather seasons and exposure to the sun, your undertone remains unchanged throughout.

Understanding undertones and the best lipstick for them

Unlike skin tone, Identifying your undertone can be slightly challenging. Here are tips to identify your undertone.

Warm undertones

People with warm undertones have hints of yellow, peach, olive, or golden hues in their skin, with greenish veins underneath. If you have warm undertones, you are more likely to get tan easily under the sun. Besides, gold jewelry complements your skin better.

Lipsticks for warm undertones

The best lipstick shades that suit warm undertones are bold oranges, coral, peachy nudes, warm reds, and brick browns. If you are looking for nude lipstick shades, considering your skin tone will help. For a light skin tone, go for a dull or pale nude and for a darker skin tone, a richer nude will look best.

Cool undertones

Cool undertones are characterized by pink, red, or blue undertones, with skin appearing rosy or pinkish. An easy way to understand: If the veins beneath your skin appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. In such undertones, the skin tends to burn instead of getting tan in the sun. Moreover, silver or white accessories look better on such undertones.

Lipsticks for cool undertones

Lipstick shades with blue or purple undertones work best for such undertones, (shades that are pink or red but with a touch of purple or blue in them). You can experiment with shades such as berry, mauves, cool-toned reds, and plums for a perfect pout! For nude nude lipstick shades, opt for pink nude or just a tinted balm to give your lips a rosy and hydrating finish.

Neutral undertones

If you have a neutral undertone, your skin tends to have a balanced mix of warm and cool tones and a mix of yellow and pink skin base. The veins under your skin can be between the shades of blue and green and both silver and gold jewelry complements your skin.

Lipsticks for neutral undertones

Finding the best lipstick for your skin tone should not be a problem as many shades will complement your skin tone. You can experiment with various shades, including soft roses, dusty pinks, sheer berry, and even nude lipstick shades. To find the best lipstick for neutral undertones, focus more on the skin tone. Go for pink and nude for fair skin, and berry dark shades for dark skin tone.

Tips to get the perfect lip shade for your skin

How to choose the best lipstick shade for your skin

Now that you've identified your undertone, here are some more tips to select the perfect lipstick shade that enhances your natural beauty.

Consider the outfit and occasion

While you might find the perfect lip color for you, it's crucial to consider your outfit and occasion too. A lipstick shades complement your face when it's similar to your outfit. For example, if you are wearing a red dress, a red lipstick can elevate your entire look. Similarly for pastel-colored outfits, nude or orange lip color would probably complement your skin better than red.

Similarly, different occasions call for different lipstick shades. While a bold red lip might be perfect for a night out, a subtle nude shade might be more suitable for a daytime look.

Pay attention to the texture and type of lipstick

In addition to color, consider the texture of the lipstick. Matte lipsticks offer a sophisticated finish and tend to stay for a longer time, while glossy formulas carry more shine and glamour. They are hydrating and good for the daytime. Depending on occasion and need, experiment with different textures to find what works best for you.

Try before you use

It's best to experiment with different shades before you buy lipstick. Since undertones have a significant role in determining the best lipstick shades for you, you can swatch it on your wrist or inner arm to see how it look against your skin. It's best to judge a lipstick shade in natural lighting as much as possible as different lighting can significantly affect how colors appear on your skin.

Don't be afraid to experiment

Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experiment with new shades. You might be surprised by how an unconventional color can complement your skin tone beautifully. Once in a while, go beyond your comfort lipstick shade and try a completely new color.

Choosing the best lipstick shade for your skin tone doesn't have to be a daunting task. By understanding your undertone and following these simple tips, you can find the perfect lipstick that enhances your natural beauty and completes your look.

FAQs

Q 1. Which lipstick shade is best?

To find the best lipstick shade, consider your skin tone and undertone. For warm undertones, you can look for lipstick shades with coral, orange and red undertones. For cool undertones, lipsticks with blue or purple undertones will look best. Whereas for neutral undertones, the best lipstick would be a mix of blue and red undertones.

Q 2. What lipstick shades are best for fair skin?

Shades of pink and coral work best for fair skin tones. You can also experiment with warm nude lipstick shades for a fresh and sophisticated look.

Q 3. Which is the best lipstick shade for dark skin?

The following are the best lip colors for dark skin :

Divya Agarwal

Divya is a passionate beauty editor with a flair for researching and writing about skincare and haircare. When she's not immersed in beauty trends, you can find her reading, traveling or gorging on ice cream sundaes.

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