How to Choose Lip Products?

Lipstick is one of the most fun parts of any makeup look, and you should feel free to wear whatever shade creates your desired look, be it a bold red, a subtle neutral, or a statement hue that takes center stage. That being said, there are as many lipstick options as colors in the rainbow, so we understand if you aren't sure where to start or are having trouble finding a shade that complements your skin tone. If you're looking for a new tried-and-true shade that will bring out the best in your undertones, we have all the tips you need to confidently find a lipstick you're sure to love. Ahead, see our complete guide on how to choose a lipstick based on your skin tone, straight from MUAs and beauty editors.

Michela Buttignol / Byrdie

Cool Undertones

How to Identify

While we have a complete guide to figuring out your undertones, generally, your undertones are cool if your skin has a pink, red, or bluish hue. You can tell your undertone is cool if the veins in your wrist look blue or purple, if silver jewelry complements your skin best, or if your skin tends to burn in the sun before getting a tan.

The Best Shades to Try

The best lipsticks for cool undertones have blue or purple undertones (not to be confused with an actual blue or purple lipstick, though that would be equally as stunning). For example, when going for a red lip, veer more toward deep bluish-reds (think cherry red) versus ones that lean more orange. For nude lips, you can enhance the natural flush of your lips with a rosy, pink nude, or opt for a taupey beige for a more subtle look. When in doubt, a tinted balm can adjust to your lip's color and suit a variety of looks (plus it'll hydrate, too).

Byrdie Tip

If your lips are severely dry yet you crave a rich lip color, apply a hydrating lip treatment beforehand to avoid flaking—try the Anokha Lip Butter ($25), which features a blend of beeswax and essential oils that serves as a pillowy-soft base for any lip color.

Warm Undertones

How to Identify

You're warm-toned if you have a yellow, golden, or olive hue to your skin. You can usually tell your undertone is warm if the veins in your wrist appear more green (versus blue), if gold jewelry complements your skin best, or if you tend to tan easily.

The Best Shades to Try

The best lipsticks for warm undertones are lip colors in warm shades. Think bold oranges, brick reds, and terracotta browns. Going for a nude? A good rule of thumb is to correspond your skin tone with the lipstick shade. For instance, if your skin is light, go for a paler nude, while if your skin is deeper, go for a richer nude.

Neutral Undertones

How to Identify

You have neutral undertones if you have a mix of pink and yellow in the base of your skin. You might be able to notice this if your veins look somewhere between blue and green or you find that you look good in both silver and gold jewelry.

The Best Shades to Try

Neutral undertones have lots of options when it comes to choosing the right lipstick, as a wide spectrum of colors are complementary. If you're not sure where to start, consider complementing your overall skin tone: Try pink hues for fair skin, mauve shades for medium skin, and berry colors for deep skin. In general, though, it's a free-for-all—anything from light nudes to deep wines will look good.

Byrdie Tip

Gray-toned lipsticks have a reputation for washing you out, but that's actually a misconception. The key to making this shade complement your complexion is to go for a cool-toned one (like the Melt Cosmetics Lipstick in Space Cake)—it works on most undertones and can even make teeth appear whiter.

The Final Takeaway

If you're having trouble finding the ideal lip shade for your skin tone, remember that your undertone will correspond with the shade you choose—cool undertones look best in cool lipsticks, warm undertones will look flattering in warm shades, and neutral undertones can go both ways. It's important to note that skin tone and undertone are two very different things. Skin tone refers to whether your skin is deep, medium, or light and can vary depending on the season and sun exposure, while undertone reflects the base of your skin. This means that the idea that fair skin can't be warm or deep skin can't be cool is a misconception.

Overall, while the above guidelines can help if you're not sure where to start, you should choose a lip color you feel the best in. If a coral shade evokes confidence in you but doesn’t align with the "rules," go ahead and rock it.

don't know what suits me best! When I found this article, it helped me so much. Thank you!"

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"I hate wearing lipstick because when I try any on, it doesn't fit my skin color! I do want to wear it, I just