How to pick the right lipstick shade for you
In my opinion, lipstick is one of the most powerful makeup products out there. Putting a pop of colour on your lips can transform your look instantly. I’m pretty sure that if red lipstick was a woman, she’d be the Queen (sorry Liz)!
However, picking the right shade can be overwhelming. Not only because there are approximately 100 million different shades of colour to select from, but also because wearing the wrong shade can be a modern-day tragedy. Don’t panic, LPD is here to give you guidance. Here are my rules to help you choose the right shade for you.
Let’s start with the perfect lip wardrobe. This consists of five shades; nude, pink, coral, berry and of course a classic red. If like me, five lipsticks just aren’t enough, that’s absolutely fine. I mean I have at least three in every handbag I own. But having a core collection is key. Once you have this, you’ll get to know what works for you.
The most important first step to help you find your perfect lipstick shade, is to look at the veins on your wrist (yes really!). The colour of your veins will help you determine the undertone of your skin. Blue or purple veins indicates that you a have cool skin tone Green veins mean you have a warm skin tone If you can’t quite tell the colour of your veins, then you most likely have a neutral skin tone, meaning you can wear most colours. If you have a cool skin tone, stick with the following;
Pale pinks
Rosy pinks
Pale browns
Deep Chocolate
Deep plum
Deep, blue based reds
My fave lipsticks for a cool skin tone are;
Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick in 08
Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Spring pink
Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte in Infrarose
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Birkin Brown
Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Colour in Fatale
If you have a warm skin tone, stick with the following;
Peachy nudes
Light corals
Peachy pink
Coral Oranges
Nude brown
Warm brown Orangey-reds
My fave lipsticks for a warm undertone are;
KIKO smart fusion lipstick in peach
Shisedo Gel Videionary Lipstick in 217 Coral Pop
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cappuccino
Now that you know which tones to go for, here’s a few other essential tips.
NUDES
When wearing nude, don’t go more than two shades deeper than your natural lip tone as this can look too much.
If you have thin lips, avoid darker shades as they can make your lips look smaller. Lighter shades can make them look fuller.
Bright lips don’t always have to be bold. Try a lip stain or try patting your favourite shade onto your lips with your finger. This is one of my fave ways to wear lipstick.
GLOSS
If you prefer a glossy finish, put a clear one over your lipstick. Or pick a pigmented gloss. I love….
Iconic Lip Plumping Gloss in Love Struck
LIP-LINER
Most brands have a lip-liner to match their lipsticks. A liner isn’t essential, but it does help to define the lip line. I actually like to use a shade that matches my lip colour, whatever lipstick I’m wearing. This helps me to create a natural lip shape before applying my lipstick. Give it a go!
So that’s my list of lipstick rules. I hope it helps you find your perfect shade.
Until next time, Love & lipstick
Lisa xx
N.B. The wording from this article was originally featured in my Sheerluxe Column