Alright babes, let’s get into it: lipstick. You know, that one piece of makeup that can change your vibe instantly? Mood: sad girl? Throw on a wine red and boom; you’re mysterious and dramatic. Feeling flirty? Coral gloss. Need to slay at brunch with no sleep and raccoon eyes? Nude lipstick, always. But the real tea is: how do you know what shade actually looks good on you?
Choosing the right lipstick color can feel like the ultimate game of makeup roulette. We’ve all tried that one shade that looked bomb on our bestie and then made us look like we just bit into a powdered donut. Not cute.
So I’ve got you. Let’s figure out your perfect shade together, like we’re chilling in my room swatching lipsticks and whisper-screaming over how cute each one is.
Step One: Know Your Skin’s Undertone
This is the lipstick holy grail, babes. If you don’t know your undertone yet, don’t stress. It’s super easy to figure out and it changes literally everything when it comes to makeup.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
💙 Cool Undertones
- Your skin has pink, red, or blue hints.
- Silver jewelry looks bomb on you.
- Your veins look blue or purplish.
💛 Warm Undertones
- Your skin has gold, yellow, or peachy hints.
- Gold jewelry makes you glow.
- Your veins look greenish.
🤍 Neutral Undertones
- You’ve got a mix of both.
- You can rock both silver and gold.
- Your veins look blue-green or you literally can’t tell? That’s neutral energy, babe.
Okay now that you know your undertone, let’s match it with lipstick shades that won’t play you.
| Undertone | Best Lipstick Colors | Avoid These |
|---|---|---|
| Cool | Blue-based reds, berries, mauves, soft pinks | Orangey reds, warm peaches |
| Warm | Orange reds, coral, warm browns, peachy nudes | Blue-based pinks, pale lavenders |
| Neutral | Almost anything! Lucky you 💋 | You’re safe with most colors, but still test those super pale or super deep shades |
Warm or Cool Red? Let’s Decode Red Lipstick
Finding your red is like finding your soulmate. Dramatic? Yup. True though.
Red lipstick is power in a tube ; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise
If you’re warm-toned:
Go for reds with orange or brick vibes. Think MAC Chili or Fenty’s Freckle Fiesta. These won’t look too harsh or weirdly pink against your skin.
If you’re cool-toned:
Blue-based reds win. Try Ruby Woo by MAC (an actual icon) or Maybelline’s Red Revival. They make your teeth look whiter too, just saying.
If you’re neutral:
Pick whatever red makes you feel like the main character. Russian Red, Lady Danger, all of ‘em, baby.
Nudes That Won’t Make You Look Like a Corpse
Okay, let’s talk about nudes. They’re not just one shade. “Nude” shouldn’t mean just beige ; it should match YOUR natural lip tone and highlight your vibe.
Here’s a lil’ cheat sheet:
| Skin Tone | Lipsticks That Slay |
|---|---|
| Fair / Light | Rosy pinks, beige-pinks, light peach |
| Medium | Mauve, soft brown, caramel, peachy tones |
| Olive | Terracotta, brownish rose, warm nude browns |
| Deep / Dark | Rich chocolate, caramel, deep mauve, brown-berry |
The best nude lipstick feels like your lips, but better ; it doesn’t wash you out, it levels you up
And let me say this loud: brown-nude is a total moment. If you haven’t tried a rich 90s brown, please do. Dust off that combo with a brown liner and gloss and you’re giving Y2K goddess.
Finding the Perfect Pink ; Flirty or Fierce?
Some people think pink is just for soft looks but trust me, the right pink can be a bold statement. Just gotta find the right tone for YOU.
For cool undertones:
Look for blue-based pinks. Think bubblegum Barbie vibes or soft rose. These make your skin look fresh AF.
For warm undertones:
Coral pinks and peach-pinks are your besties. They play so well with golden-peach tones in your skin.
For neutral:
Try rose, mauve or literally anything between hot pink and muted blush. Whatever makes you feel cute.
Pro tip: Overline your lips super slightly with a soft nude liner and then dab on a pinky gloss. Thank me later.
Berry and Plum Energy
Let’s talk dark lips. Berry, wine, plum ; these shades scream cozy latte dates, midnight selfies and main character syndrome.
If you’ve got fair skin: Try sheer berry tones or pinky-plums. You don’t want the lip to overpower your whole face unless you’re going for full gothic drama.
Medium skin: Mauve plums and cranberry shades look insanely good on you. You win!
Dark skin: Go bolder. Eggplant purple, black cherry, deep wine. Jaw on the floor 😍
A bold lip doesn’t ask for permission ; it walks in first, and then stares everyone down
Gloss, Matte or Satin? Texture Talk Time
Okay okay, maybe you’ve found your color. But what about how it feels and looks? Texture totally changes the whole vibe.
💧Glossy:
- Super Gen Z energy, tbh
- Makes lips look plumper
- Great for natural makeup days or layering over lipsticks
Faves: Fenty Gloss Bomb, NYX Butter Gloss
💄 Matte:
- Drama, but make it fashion
- Can be drying, so always prep with balm
- Best for longer wear or events
Faves: Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink, MAC Retro Matte
🌙 Satin/Cream:
- Feels comfy and looks rich
- Ideal combo of moisture and pigment
- Good for daily wear or soft glam
Faves: Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, Revlon Super Lustrous
Cheat Sheet: Lipstick Vibes for Different Aesthetics
Because buying lipstick is so much more fun when you’re matching the vibe. Here’s a quick vibe check:
| Aesthetic | Lipstick Shade That Hits |
|---|---|
| Clean Girl | Peach gloss or pinky nude |
| Baddie | Matte dark red or deep plum |
| Softcore/Coquette | Rosy pink or mauve |
| Grunge Revival | Brown lipstick, deep burgundy |
| Barbiecore | Hot pink or bubblegum gloss |
| Y2K Throwback | Coffee brown glossy lips + liner |
Let’s Tackle the Trickiest Parts…
😩 My lips are pigmented ; shades look off on me!
No biggie. Try dabbing on a little concealer over your lips before lipstick. This neutralizes your natural lip color so the lipstick shows up true. You can also go for lipsticks with more pigment, like liquid mattes or lip crayons.
🧃 I wanna try bold colors but I’m scared it’ll look too much
Start by patting the color gently into your lips with your finger instead of applying straight from the bullet. This gives it a soft-stained effect and helps you ease into the wild side.
😶 Some lipsticks make my teeth look yellow. HELP?
Shades with blue undertones help counteract any yellow in your teeth. Go for blue-toned reds, berries and pinks instead of orangey corals and warm browns.
Final Lipstick Truths That Everyone Should Hear
There’s no such thing as “rules” in makeup ; just vibes and confidence
If a lipstick makes you feel like a 10, then it’s the right shade for you. Even if the “official chart” says it’s not for your undertone. Makeup ~should~ be fun, not stressy.
Mess around, swatch everything, ask your friends for savage honest opinions and most importantly ; wear whatever shade makes you feel hot.
You’re not looking for the “perfect” shade, babe. You’re discovering the one that makes YOU feel unstoppable. And that’s the whole point.
So go swipe that lipstick, look at yourself in the mirror and say “Yup. She’s THAT girl.”
Love ya. Go be iconic. 💄💋
