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A Guide To Finding Your Perfect Lipstick Shade

The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BU chapter.

With countless hues, finishes, and brands to choose from, finding the ideal shade match can sometimes be overwhelming. Navigating the vast array of options can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But, with the right guidance, it can become an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Whether you’re a makeup novice or a seasoned beauty enthusiast, this article will walk you through the essentials—from understanding your skin tone and undertones to experimenting with different textures and colors.

Understanding Your Skin Tone

Your skin tone is the surface color of your skin, and it can range from fair to deep. Knowing your skin tone is the first step in finding the right lipstick shade.

Fair skin, for instance, often burns easily and has a lighter complexion. This means shades like soft pinks, peachy nudes, and light corals are particularly flattering. Those with light skin—which has a bit more color than fair skin but can still burn—might find pinks, mauves, and light berry shades to be excellent choices.

Medium skin tones tan more easily and have a warmer hue, making rose, mauve, and berry shades ideal. Olive skin, characterized by a greenish or yellow undertone and an easy tan, pairs well with brick reds, warm nudes, and oranges.

Lastly, with its rich and dark complexion, deep skin looks stunning in bold colors like deep reds, plums, and chocolates.

By identifying your skin tone, you can narrow down the range of lipstick shades that will complement your natural complexion.

Understanding Your Undertones

While skin tone is the surface color, undertones are the subtle hues beneath the surface that play a crucial role in finding the perfect lipstick shade. Identifying your undertones helps you select shades that harmonize with your natural coloring, enhancing your overall look.

Warm undertones, which give the skin a golden, yellow, or peachy hue, can be identified if your veins appear green and you look best in gold jewelry. Lipstick shades that complement warm undertones include light reds, corals, peaches, and bronzes.

On the other hand, cool undertones give the skin a pink, red, or bluish hue. If your veins appear blue or purple and you look best in silver jewelry, you likely have cool undertones. Shades like bluish-reds, plums, and pinks work well with cool undertones.

Neutral undertones are a mix of both warm and cool tones. If your veins appear blue-green and you look good in both gold and silver jewelry, you probably have neutral undertones. This means you can pull off a wide range of shades, from warm nudes to cool berries.

Top Tips

While these first steps can be useful, experimenting and swatching are essential for finding your perfect lipstick shade. By trying out different colors and finishes, you can see how they complement your skin tone and undertones.

Natural lighting is your best friend in this process, as it gives you the most accurate representation of the shades. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experiment with bold or unconventional colors—you might be pleasantly surprised!

Ultimately, the goal is to find a shade that makes you feel confident and beautiful.

Enjoy the process and have fun exploring new looks!

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Deanna Soukhaseum is a weekly writer for the Her Campus at BU chapter studying Finance and Business Analytics at Boston University. She enjoys writing about a range of topics, including fashion, entertainment, etc. Outside of Her Campus, Deanna is also a features writer for the Daily Free Press, a writer for the wellness section at the BU Buzz, and a member of the Finance and Investment Club. In her free time, Deanna enjoys reading and exploring the city of Boston. She is passionate about music and loves to watch movies of any kind, ranging from horror to rom-coms.