How to Choose the Right Lipstick Finish for Your Skin Type

Imagine this: You're wandering through your favorite retailer's lipstick aisle and you're stuck wondering, "What color lipstick should I wear?" The multitude of undertones, textures, and finishes of lipstick can make your makeup shopping trip seem more like a mission than a fun trip. Even for me, a professional makeup artist, it's not an easy task to discover a new shade. Here's the thing: It doesn't have to be overwhelming. It's easy to choose a lipstick color for your skin tone when you have a few key guidelines in mind (we're even including one below).

Identifying your skin's undertone is the first step (bonus tip: this can also help you choose a foundation). In general, people fall into either a warm or a cool category. You might be neutral (a mix of warm and cool) if you are having trouble determining your undertone.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right lip color for your complexion.

Undertones of coolness

If you have a pinkish, reddish, or blueish hue to your skin, you have cool undertones.

If your wrist veins are blue, if you wear silver jewelry, or if you burn in the sun before getting tanned, your undertone is cool.

Blue- or purple-shaded lipsticks are best for cool undertones (not to be confused with actual blue or purple lipstick, although that would be equally stunning). Consider deeper bluish-reds (think cherry red) when choosing a red lip over ones that are more orange. You can enhance your natural lip flush with rosy, pink nudes, or go subtle with taupey beige nudes. You can adjust your lip's color with a tinted balm and it'll suit a variety of looks (plus, it's hydrating).

Choose lipstick shades with blue or purple undertones for the best results.

Find the perfect lipstick for those with cool undertones by scrolling down.

With a hydrating formula, this moody wine shade flatters cool undertones.

A warm undertone

Warm undertones can be identified by having a yellow, golden, or olive hue to your skin.

A warm undertone can be detected if the veins on your wrist appear green (instead of blue), if gold jewelry complements your skin tone, or if you tend to tan easily.

Lipsticks in warm shades are the best for those with warm undertones. Colors like bold oranges, brick reds, and terracotta browns are perfect. Do you want to go nude? Match your lipstick shade to your skin tone. If you have light skin, choose a paler nude; if you have deeper skin, choose a richer nude.

Reds and oranges with warm undertones pop beautifully on lips. You can't go wrong with coppers and golds if you're feeling bold.

Find out which fiery lipstick looks best on warm skin tones by scrolling down.

Undertones of warm colors will look great with this bright fuchsia shade.

Undertones of neutrality

A neutral undertone is characterized by a mix of pink and yellow at the base of your skin.

Silver and gold jewelry look great on those with neutral undertones. There are many complementary colors for this undertone. Make sure you wear pink hues if you have fair skin, mauve shades if you have medium skin, and berry hues if you have deep skin.

From light nudes to deep wines, there are plenty of lipstick shades to choose from.

Here are the best neutral-toned lipsticks.

To add more coverage, layer this sheer satin over another lip color for a no-makeup look.

Final Words

The shade you choose for your lips will depend on your undertone-cool undertones look best in cool lipsticks, warm undertones will look flattering in warm shades, and neutral undertones can look either way.

There is a very significant difference between skin tone and undertone. Depending on the season, skin tone can vary depending on the depth of your skin (fairer during cooler months, deeper during warmer months). You also have an undertone, which reflects your skin's base. Fair skin is not necessarily warm or deep skin is not necessarily cool, which implies the common misconception that they cannot be both.

You should choose a lip color that you feel comfortable wearing. Don't be afraid to rock a coral shade if it inspires confidence in you, even if it doesn't conform to the "rules."