Guide On How To Choose Lipstick

Let's be honest now – aren't we all guilty of having thousands of lip colour swatches across the back of our hands in hopes of getting the perfect hue? The problem is, however, that doesn't necessarily translate so well when the time comes to put it on our lips. With bold lip colours like zesty orange and fiery red to pretty pastel, many popular shades dominate the beauty scene and it's hard not to feel overwhelmed to find the perfect shade. So how do you determine which lip colour would suit your skin well and provide you with that perfect pop of colour?

Nykaa makeup expert and celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni says that the one thing that can change your life is knowing your skin’s undertone. “You can magically transform the way you look once you know your undertone,” she says. “I’ve seen simple girls-next-door look like divas that can light up a room once they know what shades work for them.”

After we figure out a way to determine your skin’s undertone, you can finally pick the right lip colour for yourself. You're going to rock berry or pink colours when you have a cooler undertone, corals and reds for warm tones. If your undertone is neutral, you can just about get away with any shade of lipstick. Therefore, whether you want to learn how to choose a lipstick shade or know how to pick lipstick for your next glam look, this little guide has got you covered.

How To Know Your Undertone

First things first, you need to know your undertone. One of the easiest tricks is to think about your jewellery. If you find that silver makes your skin glow, you’ve likely got cool undertones. Gold jewellery your go-to? Then your undertones are warm. If both look fab, congrats – you have a neutral undertone. You can also check your veins: if they appear more blue, you’ve got cool undertones, and if they’re more greenish, warm undertones are your thing.

Soni explains “To figure out how to choose lipstick that suits you perfectly, start by standing in front of a well-lit mirror in your bathroom. Drape a white towel over any furniture behind you, so you're surrounded by white. This setup helps you clearly see the undertones of your skin. Now, take a good look – if your skin appears blue-ish, you have cool undertones. If it looks more yellow, you’ve got warm undertones, and if it appears greenish, you likely have neutral undertones.”

Once you’ve identified your undertones, you’ll have a clearer idea of how to choose lipstick colour that flatters your complexion. Understanding this makes it much simpler to decide how to pick a lipstick and find the perfect shade. Whether you're wondering how to choose lipstick shade for a special occasion or just everyday wear, knowing your undertones is key.

A quick way to figure out your undertone when trying to understand how to choose lipstick is by checking the veins on the underside of your forearm or underarm in natural sunlight. If your veins appear blue or blue-purple, you likely have cool undertones. If they look more yellow or olive, you have warm undertones. For those with both blue and green veins, you're neutral, meaning you can rock shades that suit both cool and warm undertones. This simple trick is a great guide when thinking about how to choose lipstick colour or how to pick a lipstick shade that flatters your skin.

How to Know Which Lipstick Shade Suits You

1. For Beginners

Wary of swiping on pigmented lipstick? Start with lighter-tinted lip gloss instead. Sure, it won’t light up your pout but at least it’ll give you a sense of having product on your lips. In fact, lip gloss is the lazy girl’s saviour, it comes off without a trace, unlike lipstick which needs to be reapplied to refresh the stain. All you need to do is reapply the gloss for instant shine when you need some extra sparkle.

Choose a gloss for your skin tone

Fair (cool undertones)

All you need is a dab of light colours, like a pastel, candy floss pink or mauve. Try L'Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick - 120 Major Crush

Wheatish (warm undertones)

A deeper, corally, peachy-brown lip gloss will look great. Try Lakme Absolute Plump And Shine Lip Gloss , Shades Rose Shine and Red Shine

Dusky skin tones

Either go darker or much lighter for maximum impact. Try Lovechild Masaba Lip Gelato Tinted Lip Oil - Brown Berry.

2. For Intermediates

Once you’ve got used to the feeling of gloss on your lips, it’s time to try some lip colours with the colour saturation and texture of lipsticks without the bright, poppy colours you normally associate with lipstick. However since lipsticks can be drying, always start by using a moisturizing lip balm like Maybelline Baby Lips Color Balm. To find a lipstick closest to your natural lip colour, check out a few shades on the inside of your finger because it closely matches your lip colour.

Choose a lipstick for your skin tone.

Fair (cool undertones)

Add soft warmth to your look face with a peach-pink lipstick like Nykaa Paintstix Collection , Shades Rock n Roll Pink and Tender Rose.

Wheatish (warm undertones)

Nothing screams summer like coral lipstick. We love its cheery blend of pink and orange. This hip-n-happening lipstick shade complements a variety of skin tones and brightens your complexion ASAP. Try Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - Successful Shades, dancer, Pathfinder

Dusky skin tones

You will look like a million bucks in berry shades, a couple of shades darker than your natural lip colour. Nykaa suggests LOreal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick, Transfer Resistant Formula - French Kiss 245.

3. For Advanced

Now that you’re a pro at wearing lipstick, it’s time to step up to a richer, bolder hue. Forget orange and purple and go with a classic red. And yes, everyone can wear red lipstick provided they know which one works for their skin tone. The first step though is to prep your lips. Dark lipsticks look dreadful on chapped, rough lips and gently scrubbing to exfoliate dead skin is a must before applying your fave colour. Remember to keep the rest of your look matte, with just a dash of liner and concealer to cover spots and under-eye circles.

Choose a lipstick for your skin tone

Fair (cool undertones)

“For cool undertones, blue-based shades such as cranberry, burgundy or wine work well,” says Soni. Nykaa suggests Kay Beauty Matte Lipstick - Red Carpet, Shades: Action, Dream Girl

Wheatish (warm undertones)

Soni suggests that women with warm undertones look good in orange-based red shades such as brick reds. “These reds are more appropriate for women with peach, olive or tan tones,” says Soni. Nykaa recommends Colorbar Take Me As I Am Vegan Matte Refill - Viva Magenta - 007, Shades Sensuous Red, Pure Coral.

Dusky skin tones

Darker skin tones can pull off any red, so why not go a bit bolder with a berry red? Nykaa loves Nykaa Matte Luxe Lipstick - Avocado Toast, Shades: Avocado Toast. The other bit of advice Soni would like newbies to remember: “Try not to use lip liners under your lipstick or gloss because they change the actual tone of the colour.” Another nugget, “STOP wearing lip liners that are darker than your actual lipstick hue. It’s so outdated.” she adds.

Conclusion

Now that you're all clued up on how to choose lipstick and how to pick a lipstick colour that flatters your unique features, you're ready to rock that perfect pout. Whether you're going bold or keeping it subtle, knowing how to choose a lipstick shade makes all the difference. Remember, it’s all about matching the vibe – from the right lipstick colour for your skin tone to picking shades that make your smile pop. So, next time you’re out shopping, you’ll know exactly how to select a lipstick colour that suits you like a dream.

FAQs

1. How do I choose the right lipstick for my skin tone?

   When it comes to how to choose lipstick colour, start with your undertone. If you're cool-toned, go for shades with blue or purple undertones like plum or berry. Warm-toned? Try coral or peachy hues. For neutral tones, lucky you – most shades will look fab.

2. What’s the best way to pick a lipstick shade for everyday wear?

   If you're wondering *how to choose a lipstick shade* for daily glam, opt for something close to your natural lip colour. Soft pinks, nudes, or light mauves are perfect for a chic, everyday vibe without looking overdone.

3. How do I know which lipstick colour suits me best?

   Choosing the right lipstick can be tricky, but here's a tip – experiment. A good rule of thumb for how to pick a lipstick colour is to match it to your outfit or mood. Feeling bold? Go for a bright red or vibrant pink. Want something subtle? A nude or soft peach will do the trick.

4. How can I choose lipstick for a night out?

   If you're wondering how to select lipstick colour for a night out, think drama. Darker, bolder shades like deep reds, maroons, or even vampy purples instantly elevate your look and add that extra wow factor.

5. What’s the difference between choosing a lipstick colour in-store vs. online?

   When shopping in-store, you can swatch and test shades, making it easier to pick a lipstick that suits your complexion. Online, try to find swatches on models with similar skin tones, or use virtual try-on tools to see how the colour looks on you.