Giving Face // How to Choose the Right Lipstick

Written by Marea Munro /// Find in Fashion & Beauty

Beauty Articles

Things You’ll Need: Sharpened Lipliner, Lipstick

Who doesn’t have a few lipsticks in their makeup bag, but are they the right colors for you? Better yet, do your lips wear the color or do your teeth?! Many women have converted to lipgloss (i.e MAC Lipglass), but some still prefer that classic lipstick look. Whether you have thin lips or juicy puckers, this How To guide will teach you how to choose the right color and how to apply it correctly!

The goal is to find a shade of lipstick that isn’t based solely on what you’re wearing, but mainly your complexion or skin tone. Decide if your skin is fair, medium, olive or brown skin. Your skin tone will help you determine which shade works best on you.

You can use a special lipstick brush, use your finger or apply right from the tube. Choose what works best for you. Different types of lipstick vary from long lasting color to semi permanent colors.

If you have thin lips, light and glossy shades typically give lips a fuller look. Darker shades of lipliner and lipstick tend to make lips looker smaller.  If you do have full lips you can wear darker, matte(dull) shades. NOTE: if you have dry or wrinkled lips you should definitely use a creamy lipstick that will provide some moisture.

A tip to remember is that the darker the eye, the mor neutral the lip should be and vice versa.

A lighter lipstick shade will complement the dark eye makeup.  Also never use a dark liner with light lipstick such as black lipliner over a pink or peach lipstick.

Using a lipliner first as a base coat allows the lipstick to last longer. Even if you’re using lipgloss, liner will give it something to stick to.  Some women use a lipliner to either fill out their lips or to give their lips a more natural look. You can choose a liner that matches your lipstick or a shade darker for definition. NOTE: You can also apply translucent powder with a q-tip or your finger after applying lipstick for longer wear.

To avoid those thick, smudgy lines make sure to always sharpen your lipliner.

You can even fill your lips in with the liner over the top lip, apply some to the outside of the bottom and then apply the lipstick for a sexier look. Or you can fill the lips in with the liner for a more natural look.

For medium skin tones, deep or light browns and reds would work best.

For fair skin pink and peachy, deep plum and reds or light browns and beige work best.

Olive or brown skin tones work best with deep, vibrant browns and dark berry shades.

Dark skin tones should wear deep red’s with blue and purple tones or deep reddish browns.

An undertone is what you see when you look at a person and is not the primary skin tone. If you don’t know what the undertone of the lipstick is, then you can glide it over/on your hand and take note of the color it becomes.

Cool-tone colours have blue or blue undertones are reds prinks, roses and violets.

Warm-tone clors have yellow or gold undertones which are bronzes, peaches, oranges and browns.

Its not always best to listen to saleperson behind the makeup counter or assume your best friends lipstick will look great on you. Keep the tips I just gave in mind and you will be well on your way to the perfect lipstick color!

Special Thanks to, Makeup Artist: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Changing Faces Makeup