What Color Lipstick Should I Wear?
When it comes to selecting the perfect lipstick shade, understanding your skin’s undertone is key. Lipsticks are available in a multitude of colors and finishes, but matching the right shade to your unique undertone can enhance your features, complement your complexion, and elevate your makeup look. This guide is designed to help you discover which lipstick colors best suit your skin tone, whether your undertones are cool, warm, or neutral. We’ll walk through how to identify your undertone, explore the best shade options for each, and recommend some top products to consider. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of how to choose a lipstick color that flatters your natural beauty, giving you the confidence to rock any look.
Cool Undertones
How to Identify
Cool undertones are characterized by hints of blue, pink, or red in the skin. You may notice your veins appear blue or purple in natural light. Additionally, those with cool undertones often find that silver jewelry complements their skin more than gold. If your skin tends to burn rather than tan and you look great in cool colors like blues, purples, and emerald greens, you likely have cool undertones.
Another way to identify your undertone is by using the white paper test. Hold a piece of white paper next to your face in natural light. If your skin looks more rosy or bluish compared to the paper, your undertone is probably cool. This quick and easy method can provide a better sense of your skin’s natural tint, helping you make informed decisions when selecting makeup products.
The Best Shades to Try
If you have cool undertones, wines, berry hues, plums, and bold reds with blue undertones are excellent options. These cooler shades harmonize beautifully with your complexion, enhancing your natural glow. Rose, mauve, and soft pinks can also be flattering, offering a more subtle look for everyday wear.
Avoid shades with strong orange tones, as they may clash with your cool undertones and make your skin appear washed out. Instead, look for lip colors labeled with terms like “cool,” “blue,” or “plum” which are likely to enhance your natural coloring and offer a cohesive makeup look.
Product Picks
Some top lipstick picks for cool undertones include MAC’s “Ruby Woo” for a striking matte red and Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink in “Protector” for a deep, long-lasting plum. For a softer look, try Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Mauvy Night” or NYX’s Soft Matte Lip Cream in “Copenhagen.”
These products are praised for their pigment, staying power, and ability to flatter cooler complexions. Experimenting with these shades will help you find the perfect fit for any occasion, from casual days out to glamorous evenings.
Warm Undertones
How to Identify
Warm undertones are identified by gold, yellow, or peachy hues within the skin. If your veins appear green under natural light and gold jewelry appears more flattering against your skin, you likely have warm undertones. Those with warm undertones often tan easily and look stunning in earthy colors like oranges, browns, and greens.
You can also perform the clothing color test to identify warm undertones. Hold pieces of gold and silver fabric up to your face in natural light. If the gold fabric complements your skin more, then you probably have a warm undertone. Subtle hints within your skin’s complexion can guide you in choosing colors that will enhance rather than detract from your natural beauty.
The Best Shades to Try
For warm undertones, look for lipsticks in shades of coral, peach, orange-red, and terracotta. These colors warm up your complexion and add a radiant glow to your overall appearance. Earthy tones such as brick red and browns can also be quite flattering, offering a deeper, sultry option for various occasions.
Avoid overly cool shades with blue or purple bases, as they may conflict with your warm undertones and leave your complexion appearing dull. Instead, embrace the rich and lively colors that bring out the golden undertones in your skin for a harmonious look.
Product Picks
Consider trying MAC’s “Mocha” for a stunning satin-finish brown or Fenty Beauty’s Stunna Lip Paint in “Uncensored” for a universally flattering, bold red. For a more playful look, try Estee Lauder’s Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in “Tiger Eye” or Milani’s “Coral Crush” for a fun pop of peach.
These lipsticks are celebrated for their quality formulas and wide range of hues that cater to warm skin tones. Finding the right color can enhance your natural radiance, making each choice a statement of elegance and style.
Neutral Undertones
How to Identify
Neutral undertones are balanced between cool and warm tints, displaying neither a strong blue/pink nor golden/yellow hue. To determine if you have neutral undertones, check your veins; they may appear to be a mix of blue and green. You’ll likely find both gold and silver jewelry suits you well, and you can wear virtually any color with ease.
A more tailored test involves looking at the colors surrounding your face, such as your clothing, to see how they enhance your natural hue. Colors that rest in the middle ground, such as creamy whites, light greys, and dusty pinks, typically flatter those with neutral undertones, complementing their balanced complexion.
The Best Shades to Try
Neutral undertones offer great versatility when it comes to choosing lipstick colors. Shades like dusty rose, soft peach, muted mauve, and true red are perfect options that won’t overpower your natural skin tones. These hues can brighten your face and maintain a subtle elegance, regardless of skin depth.
Experiment with both cool and warm shades, as those with neutral undertones can pull off a variety of colors beautifully. Pay attention to how each lipstick enhances your overall makeup and complexion, creating a balanced appearance that plays well with your neutral base.
Product Picks
Some excellent lipstick choices for neutral undertones include Urban Decay’s Vice Lipstick in “Morning After,” offering a subtle nude, and NARS’ Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in “Dolce Vita” for a whipped dusty rose hue. For a classic choice, Chanel’s Rouge Allure in “Pirate” delivers a timeless red that’s neither too warm nor cool.
By incorporating these lipstick shades into your makeup collection, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of colors that enhance your natural beauty. These carefully chosen hues effortlessly align with neutral undertones, allowing for a seamless integration into your everyday makeup routine.
The Final Takeaway
| Undertone | Identification Method | Recommended Shades | Top Product Picks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool Undertones | Blue or purple veins, better in silver jewelry | Berry, plum, reds with blue undertones | MAC “Ruby Woo,” Maybelline SuperStay “Protector,” Revlon “Mauvy Night” |
| Warm Undertones | Green veins, better in gold jewelry | Coral, peach, orange-red, terracotta | MAC “Mocha,” Fenty Beauty “Uncensored,” Estee Lauder “Tiger Eye” |
| Neutral Undertones | Mixture of blue and green veins, both jewelry types suit | Dusty rose, soft peach, muted mauve, true red | Urban Decay “Morning After,” NARS “Dolce Vita,” Chanel “Pirate” |
