A multitasking must-have, lipsticks invariably find their place in every makeup maven’s beauty kit—pretty pinks, striking reds, subdued nudes, the works. The perfect pick-me-up when you’re in no mood for a full glam face, the myriad shades of lipsticks come to your aid in the absence of blush, contour, eye shadow, correctors, and more, assuming a prime position in your beauty priority list.
Having said that, when you get down to building your makeup arsenal, picking suitable shades for your skin tone becomes paramount. An overwhelming task, to say the very least, we’ve curated an exhaustive list of hues that are flattering across skin tones, and perfect for every occasion.
Determining Your Skin Tone
Closely inspect the insides of your wrists for a better understanding of your undertone lipsticks. If your veins appear green, you possess a warm undertone, whereas if your veins appear blue or purple, you have a cool undertone. Meanwhile, greenish-blue veins suggest that you possess a neutral undertone.
Lipstick Shades For Fair Complexions
Lighter complexions with cool undertones should reach out for shades that don’t wash them out when worn. Think fuschia pink, coral, scarlet red, peachy rose, salmon pink, and so on.
- Pink Hues: Oscillate between soft, rosy hues and pigmented fuchsia to make your face pop.
- Peach Hues: From a light peach shade to a pleasing coral hue, peaches work well on fair skin tones, too.
- Red Hues: Go bold or go home; have people do a double-take as you sport a striking red lip. Pick a shade of red that has a blue undertone.
- Nude Hues: Light, rosy nudes are perfect for your fair complexion.
Lipstick Shades For Wheatish Complexions
Turn to blood reds, peaches, and pinks if you possess a slightly tan skin tone. Berry reds, deep mauves, rosewood nudes, peachy pinks, and coral shades FTW!
- Pink Hues: Steer clear of pink lipsticks with a blue undertone. Instead, opt for nud-ish pinks, or those shades with a brown and caramel undertone.
- Brown Hues: Go for a rich, rustic brown.
- Red Hues: Opt for darker red shades that boast a blue or pink undertone. Perhaps, blood or cheery red.
- Nude Hues: Pink and peach nude shades work best for a wheatish complexion.
Lipstick Shades For Olive Complexions
Dark reds, berry pinks, and apricot hues are best suited for olive skin tones. Taupe-ish, warmer beige shades work well, too.
- Pink Hues: Look for deep pink shades that feature a hint of caramel, purple, and blue.
- Red Hues: Keep an eye out for warmer red hues with an orange or yellow undertone.
- Brown Hues: Earthy, plum-brown shades work best for an olive complexion.
- Nude Hues: Nude lipsticks with an orange, brown, or caramel undertone are a win-win.
Lipstick Shades For Dusky and Dark Complexions
For those of you who possess a dusky or dark complexion, embrace lipstick shades with a yellow undertone. Think crimson red, gingerbread nudes, dark berry shades, and deep browns.
- Pink Hues: Dark pink and mauve shades are a must-have for those with a dusky, dark complexion.
- Red Hues: Turn to coral and deep red hues with a glossy finish for added dimension.
- Brown Hues: Rich coffee and tan-brown shades will complement your skin tone best.
- Nude Hues: Invest in chocolate-hued lipsticks with a red undertone.
Lip Care 101: How To Prepare Your Pucker
For the smooth and effortless application of the product, consider indulging in some lip care beforehand. Gently exfoliate your pucker using a lip scrub—in slow, circular motions—to give way to a supple base. Next, moisturize your lips with a lip balm for primer to avoid any flaking and dry spots. Prep the night before by throwing on a soothing overnight lip mask to nourish your pout.
How To Apply Lipstick Perfectly
After prepping your lips (exfoliation + moisturisation), apply a generous amount of lightweight concealer on your pout to fill in any cracks, avoid bleeding, and work as a base for the lipstick. While doing so isn’t necessary, it is recommended for those of you who have hyperpigmentation on your lips. Following this, trace your lips with the help of a lip liner to define its shape and ensure precision during application. Draw an ‘x’ symbol on your cupid’s bow and work your way along the natural outline of your lips. Next, begin by applying your lipstick to the centre of your upper lip, swiping along to the two corners to fill the entire lip. Follow the same procedure for your bottom lip as well. Last but not least, if you’ve got time on your hands, remember to blot your lips using a tissue to get rid of the extra product and ensure that your lipstick lasts longer.
How To Make Your Lips Look Plumper
There’s no dearth of hacks when it comes down to making our lips look fuller without going under the knife. If you desire a plumper pout, add a hint of highlighter on your cupid’s bow to draw attention to the lips. You may also use a lip liner to overline your pout to achieve the desired result.
The Don’ts Of Lipstick Application
There are a few things to bear in mind when applying lipstick:
- Don’t immediately rub your lips together after wearing lipstick, simply because it may cause your lipstick to become uneven and patchy.
- Don’t apply too many layers of lipstick since it may tend to appear textured and uneven. Over-application of the product may also lead to cracking and bleeding.
- Don’t wear lipstick on dry, chapped lips because the disastrous combination of the two may accentuate the cracks on your skin.
Conclusion
Identifying your undertone and suitably purchasing products is no easy feat. One tends to feel overwhelmed when bombarded with a plethora of enticing options on the market, but making the right pick is crucial. Ideally, when stocking up on lipsticks, you must follow the 5×5 grid—five key shades, namely pink, red, coral, oxblood, and nude, multiplied by five textures, including lip tint, satin finish, matte, gloss, and liquid matte. However, the number 25 isn’t set in stone, and each lipstick hoarder can decide for themselves.
