Why doesn't lipstick look the same way on as it does in the tube? It's usually not the color in the tube that looks bad (otherwise, you wouldn't have bought it!), but the underlying or undertone color in the lipstick can show it's true colors after you've applied it.
How can you tell what your undertone color is? Run a tester lipstick onto a piece of white paper and look, what color do you see besides? It's easier to see on white paper, harder to see on skin tone until it's too late.
What are you looking for? For theory's sake, let's take your favorite brown toned lipstick. Your basic lipstick undertones that you might see would be:
- Red/pink: Makes the color seem warmer, but harder and deeper as well. Can also bring out all the red tones in your skin as well so be careful!
- Yellow/orange: Makes the color warmer, and softer. Looks great on warm skin tones, but if you're really pale, can bring out the green/blue undertones in your skin. To be on the safe side, go towards the yellow side, rather than the orange. Too much orange can make skin look gray and sluggish.
- Green/blue: A way to make a lipstick more dramatic..deeper. Try to stay clear of these if possible, they can make you look like you're STILL standing under fluorescent lighting.
- Silver/grey: Adds shimmer, softness, depth, easy to spot in those light shimmer lipsticks that are so popular now. Adds light and softness to the lipstick, just make sure that it's not too much on the blue/grey side. Can make those under eye circles stand out.
- Green: Huh? Green? Yep, sometimes. The trendy colors have them, and it's usually paired with a yellow tone as well. You'll look cool and hip, but you'll also feel as if you need more color on your face. (Hint: that's why the big blush trend is also prevalent just check out the lip color!)
Lipstick Rule of Thumb:
Whatever skin color you have that you don't like (like blue or grey under eye circles, redness, pink, etc), try not to copy in your lipstick color or undertone as well. It's like wearing a red dress with sunburn. It just makes the problem appear worse than it is.
Fair Skin Tone
1. Deep plum reds like soft berry and wine reds with a blue undertone.
2. Avoid reds with an orange undertone.
3. Medium brown with pink undertones or beige lipsticks with a pink undertone.
4. Browns like Mocha browns, and darker brown/pink lipsticks for an evening lip look.
5. Extra pale browns with yellow undertones make fair skin look washed out.
6. Pinks such as light shiny pink lipsticks with blue undertones work well.
7. Pink with a slight gold shimmer also enhances this skin tone very nicely.
8. Try to stay away from hot pink lipstick as it overpowers fair skins.
Medium Skin Tone
1. Deep reds and the Blue-reds brighten medium skin with a yellow undertone.
2. Brown and warm reds will soften and look warm on medium skin.
3. Browns that are very pale can make medium skins look ashy and washed out.
4. Rich caramel shades, medium brown with yellow or pink undertones, and creamy coffee color browns can also be flattering to medium skin tone.
5. Pinks like rich and deep pinks tend to look best on medium skin. Also pinks with brown undertones enhance and flatter medium skins very well.
6. Sheers, creams, and mattes can also be tried using these shades of pink.
Yellowish Skin Tone
1. Go for rich, deep brown reds and deep, dark berry shades.
2. Stay away from orange or reds and pink or red shades.
3. Browns with a red or auburn or mahogany undertone and rich browns that resemble coffee, toffee, and chocolate colors work well with this skin tone.
4. Pinks like deep berries, rich rose, and soft to medium plums with strong yellow undertones are flattering to this skin tone.
5. Avoid pinks that are to cool and too light as these pinks can make complexion look draining.
Brownish Or Black Skin Tone
1. Go for red color with a blue undertone, which are deep and rich. Also, mahogany, and deep plums, and wine reds are worth trying.
2. Avoid orange and pink reds on this skin tone.
3. Almost any shade of brown color such as light browns to a rich, dark, coffee brown suits black skin tone.
4. Pinks like medium and soft sheer pinks, pink in glosses and sheers with a touch of beige can really enhance this skin tone.
5. Berries, deep roses, and plums also flatter this skin tone.
