How to Pick the Perfect Lip Color for Your Skin Tone

It’s fun to experiment with different lip color options at the cosmetics store, but have you ever wondered how the pros pick the perfect shade?  The process isn’t nearly as complicated as you might think.  In order to keep everything straightforward and easy, makeup professionals usually choose a shade that’s just a bit darker than your natural lip color.

You’ll find that a shade that’s close to your own lip color is the most flattering, simply because it won’t look artificial or fake.  The shine and coverage will be enough to make your lips look rich and luscious.

Another system for finding a great lip color is based on your skin tone.  The formula is simple: if you have light skin, you should wear a light lipstick shade.  The darker your skin, the darker your lipstick or lip gloss should be.  In other words, if you have pale skin, light apricots and pinks are ideal.  If you’ve got dark cocoa skin, a deep plum is divine.

In years past, it was recommended that you choose a color based on your skin undertones, but that is difficult to define if you don’t have a great eye for color.  It’s very difficult to determine if you have a blue, red, or yellow undertone to your skin, and it’s even more difficult to figure out if you are a blend of two tones.  Because it’s hard to identify your unique undertone, it’s much simpler to use one of the methods above to choose a lip shade that will look heavenly on you.

If you’re going out for a night on the town, keep in mind that it’s safe to go a bit darker with your lip color.  You may look a bit out place during the day with a very dark, flashy color, but the color will look lovely at night by candlelight.