Ever picked up a lipstick that looks amazing on your friend, for it only to make you look like a carnival clown? Don’t worry, it’s not you but rather your skin tone!
When choosing your new favourite shade, take the time to consider your colouring, be it fair or dark, warm or cold-toned, as it will make a huge difference to how the lipstick looks on you!
Fleur Madden, the founder of Lulu and Lipstick, put together a guide to help you choose your right shade, no matter what your skin tone.
Warm or cold?
First thing’s first, you need to evaluate the undertone of your complexion. You can tan during the summer months and change the tone of your skin, but the undertone will always stay the same.
If you have more of a yellow tinge to you skin, you’re a warm. Those of you out there with pink hues, you’ll be more of a cold type. Still not sure? Check the underside of your wrist. Blue-tinted veins point to cool undertones and green suggests a warm undertone.
Remember, it doesn’t depend on your hair colour. Brunettes with a warm skin tone include Amal Clooney, Mila Kunis or Natalie Portman, while cool brunettes might be Anne Hathaway and Zooey Deschanel. Similarly, fair-haired beauties with a warm undertone include Jennifer Aniston or Julia Roberts, versus Emma Stone or Nicole Kidman who have cooler tones.
Warm girls suit… wait for it… warm lipsticks! Don’t mess with the basics people. Aim for corals, brick reds and warm pinks next time you’re browsing for a new lippy! Those cool women should be sticking to hues of pink, purple and blue-based reds to really enhance that pout!
Once you have your colour range in mind, it is time to find the right shade for your complexion.
Fair
Lighter skin draws a great contrast with colour, so feel free to be as bold as you like. Go crazy with vibrant and deep shades; your fair skin will let you pull it off!
If you have a natural peach colour in your cheeks, team it with a bright orange-red or pink to draw out the warmth in your complexion.
Those of you with a complexion that leans to a more pink/rosy hue, try going for something bolder like a blue-based red or burgundy.
Medium
Those of you with a warm, olive tone should be playing with vivid, warm pinks and reds.
Avoid shades that are too orange as they tend to bring out the yellow in your face creating a less-than-desirable sallow look. You should also be avoiding bright shades of pink and coral, instead opting for rusty reds, nudes or even plum tones, the more muted, the better.
Dark
The lovely ladies out there with a darker complexion can go bold and bright, or deep and dramatic. You can really pull off any shade! Stock up on your coral shades this summer, especially orange-reds to really turn heads.
For balmy, summer nights play with darker shades like plum and oxbloods. Think, Rihanna – a woman who is not afraid of a dramatic shade!