If your experience is anything like mine, your local makeup aisle can tend to look like something of a blur, with shelf upon shelf barraging you with hip new colors like peach, plum, mahogany, or rouge. Getting the perfect shade just right can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Luckily, there are tips and tricks that you can follow to help you identify the perfect lipstick shade for your skin tone. Let’s get started!

Do you know your skin’s undertone? If not, no need to panic, finding out your undertone can be done easily. Typically, people fall into two categories of undertones: warm or cool (Williams, n.d.). If you have a golden, peachy, or yellow hue to your skin, then you have a warm undertone; and if you have a pink, red, or bluish hue to your skin, then you fall within the cool undertone category. Wondering what are the best lipstick shades that compliment a cool undertone? Let’s take a look!

 

How to Pick the Best Lipstick Shades for your Skin Tone

 

Best Lipstick Shades for Cool Undertones

 

With fairer skin, it can be easy to accidentally pick a lipstick shade that completely overpowers your complexion. The ideal options for people within this category are lipstick shades that have a blue or purple-shaded undertone to them, but be careful not to interpret this as advice to run out and grab purple or blue lipstick; we mean, if you are looking for a red shade, then a deep bluish-red, as of a cherry shade, is something you might want to reach for.

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Red Lipstick, Satin Lipstick, Very Cherry

If you are looking for a more natural look, then a soft, rosy pink with blue undertones might work best for you!

A deep plum or wine-colored lipstick shade is another visually effective option for women with cooler undertones. Make a statement with a lipstick shade that is as bold as you are!

If you still wish to push the envelope with your choices in lipstick shades for your cool undertone, you could always pull off a daring baked orange, or coral shade as well.

 

Best Lipstick Shades for Warm Undertones

 

If you are someone with a warmer undertone, then it is easy to remember which lipstick shades complement you best; think warm shades with warm hues. If you are someone who likes to make a statement, then experiment with a bold orange, a brick red, or a show-stopping brown!

Maybelline New York Color Sensational Shine Compulsion Lipstick Makeup, Spicy Sangria

Are you a little more conservative, someone who favors a simple nude? Well, look no further because we have options for you too! If you are a warm undertone individual with lighter skin, then we suggest you opt for a lighter nude lipstick shade, and if you are someone whose skin is a little deeper, then don’t be afraid to try out a richer nude!

 

Best Lipstick Shades for For Different Lip Tones

 

Fortunately, knowing your undertone is not the only solution to finding the lipstick shades that work best for you. Another way to determine the color that you can rock the best is to simply look at your lips. Yes, really study them. Notice the coloring of your natural lips and, if you wish to, go bold from there. If you are someone who has paler lips, opt for a cherry red or coral.

wet n wild Mega Last High-Shine Lip Color, Bellini Overflow

Do you have reddish lips? Try out a hot pink or cranberry. Lastly, those of you with dark lips can experiment with a brick red or burgundy (100% pure, n.d.)! There are no set rules to finding the perfect lipstick shade, it’s all about knowing yourself and having fun.

 

Best Lipstick Shades for Different Hair Colors

 

Believe it or not, hair color can also be used as a determinate when deciding which lipstick shades compliment you the best. Here are some of our favorite picks!

 

1. Best Lipstick Shades For Blondes

 

Blonde works best when paired with a cool-toned lipstick shade! We suggest trying out a mauve purple-pink shade if you want to show some personality!

If your blonde locks tend toward the more bleached side of the spectrum, then we recommend trying out a daring plunge into a gray-toned matte lipstick shade. If you are not completely comfortable sporting the gray, don’t be afraid to add a little purple to warm things up!

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Matte Lipstick – Aria, Violet

 

2. Best Lipstick Shades For Brunettes

 

Calling all brunettes, nude is your superpower! Those with naturally brown hair can easily, and effectively, pull off any light brown to nude shades that they wish to! Be sure to pick a brown or nude that compliments your complexion as well to achieve a more polished look.

Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick by stila

If you lean toward a darker brunette or black hair tone, then we highly recommend playing around with a deep maroon lipstick shade; this will beautifully complement your darker tresses while accentuating those lips!

 

3. Best Lipstick Shades For Redheads

 

When it’s all said and done, nobody can rock a red better than a redhead! That’s right, if you have red hair do not think that you must veer away from highlighting those bold locks—embrace them, with a lipstick shade that will have all eyes on you!

– – –

With so many lipstick colors to choose from, it’s easy to get lost and spend your hard-earned money on something that doesn’t look that good… However, knowing the best lipstick shades for your skin and hair tone beforehand can help you to prevent any mistakes.

Like these tips? Scroll down for more!

This article was proofread by Grammarly