Choosing a lipstick color isn’t always as straightforward as walking into a store and plucking your favorite hue off the shelf. There are several things to consider when searching for your ideal shade—and your complexion is one of the most important. For the most flattering finish, you’ll typically want to find a shade that complements not only your skin tone, but also your undertone.
If you’re unsure how to pick a lipstick color that complements your skin, we’re here to help. Below, we’re sharing four tips on finding the best lipstick color for you and sharing some of our favorite picks that you can shop right now. Keep reading for all of the details, and get ready for your most flattering lip look yet.
How to Pick a Lipstick Color That Flatters Your Features
1. Consider Your Skin Tone
The first thing to consider when choosing a lipstick color is your skin’s tone—in other words, how fair or dark it is. In general, the deeper your skin tone, the darker you want your lipstick to be. If you’re not quite sure what that means, don’t stress: We’re breaking it all down ahead.
Best Lipstick Colors For Fair Skin Tones
Fair skin is the lightest skin tone category and is often described as light, pale, or porcelain. The best lipstick shades for fair skin are largely dependent upon what type of look you’re after. Light hues like pale pinks, muted corals, and beige-y nudes are ideal for softer, more natural looks, while deep reds and berry tones create a striking contrast against fair skin.
For a natural look: Try a soft petal pink shade like Fat Oil Slick Click in Clout or Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Flaunt It. If pinks aren’t your thing, try Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Fortune Cookie—the neutral sandy shade is perfect for a high-shine nude lip moment.
For a bold look: Embrace your vampy side with a rich berry-toned lipstick, like Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream in Fuzzy Slippers, or go bright with an electric orange hue such as Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss in Peach Out. Both are stunning picks for fairer skin tones.
Best Lipstick Colors For Olive Skin Tones
Olive skin tends to fall somewhere between fair and medium skin tones and often appears subtly tan with a greenish or yellow tone. Pinks, reds, berries, and lighter brown tones all complement this skin tone well—the key is to avoid going too light, as ultra-pale shades may wash out your complexion.
For a natural look: Try a rosy hue like Fat Oil Slick Click in No Filter Needed or get a glossy nude lip with Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color in Darling Damsel.
For a bold look: Consider a vivid crimson lipstick, like Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in En Fuego. Or, try a sparkly plum shade, such as Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Big Spender.
Best Lipstick Colors For Medium Skin Tones
Medium skin tones are neither fair nor dark, but somewhere right in between. Those with medium skin stun in saturated hues, such as dark berries, deep reds, and rich browns. It’s also well-suited to bolder fantasy shades, like blues and purples.
For a natural look: Add a wash of buildable color with Fat Oil Slick Click in That’s Major or try Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss in Strike a Rose for a glossy (and plump!) pink lip look.
For a bold look: Consider experimenting with an unexpected lipstick color—a vivid tangerine gloss, like Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Orangesicle, will pop against your medium complexion. If you favor a matte lip, try Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Gettin Caliente or Sizzlin.
Best Lipstick Colors For Dark Skin Tones
Dark skin is the deepest skin tone and is almost exclusively seen on those with darker hair and eyes. Those with this skin tone look beautiful in rich brown shades, dark reds, and deep purples. Ultra-saturated tones, like hot pink or vivid crimson, can also be a great choice for darker skin tones, as the bold color will pop against your complexion.
For a natural look: Try a rich, cocoa-toned balm, like Fat Oil Slick Click in Trending Topic, for a classic nude lip look. Or, add a hint of color with a dark berry gloss, like Fat Oil Lip Drip in Status Update.
For a bold look: Get a sultry red lip with a deep burgundy lip color, like Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color in Never Basic or Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss in Pure Plump. Alternatively, try an inky black shade for a high-drama pout that pops. We love Butter Lip Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Licorice.
2. Consider Your Undertone
Skin tone and undertone are sometimes used interchangeably, but they’re two different things. Your skin tone, as we mentioned, is a measure of how light or dark your skin is. Undertone, meanwhile, refers to the underlying pigment present in your skin. There are three main undertones: cool, warm, and neutral.
A good rule of thumb for determining your undertone is to look at the veins on the inside of your wrist. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones, whereas green-tinted veins tend to indicate warm undertones. If your veins appear blue and green, chances are good you have neutral undertones. When choosing a lipstick color, you’ll typically want to opt for a shade with undertones that match your skin’s. We’ll share some of our top picks below.
Best Lipstick Colors For Cool Undertones
If you have cool skin, seek out a lipstick with cool (read: bluish) undertones. Purplish pinks, cool reds, and dusty rose shades all work well for cool skin, as do fantasy shades like violet and even blue.
For a natural look: Get a your-lips-but-better look with a soft mauve hue, like Fat Oil Slick Click in DM Me (if you have fair skin) or Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Spiked Toffee (if you have darker skin).
For a bold look: The cool tones in your skin play perfectly with hot pink. Get a head-turning look with Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Pink Hit or snag Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss in Bubbegum Bae for a similarly vivid look with a high-shine finish. If a statement red lip is what you’re after, opt for a bright, cool-toned red like Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Stamina.
Best Lipstick Colors For Warm Undertones
Those with golden, olive, or yellow tones to their skin—in other words, warm undertones—generally look best in warmer-toned lipsticks. Fall colors, like burgundies and berry hues, are a great option for a bold look, but warmer pinks (like coral), chocolatey browns, and oranges are also gorgeous for a more subtle look.
For a natural look: Perfect your wear-anywhere soft pink lip with a bronzy rose shade, like Fat Oil Slick Clicks in Hits Different—it’s the perfect midpoint between brown and pink (plus, it has shimmer!). If you’d prefer a sparkle-free look, try a terracotta-toned gloss, like Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss in Apri-Caught or Fat Oil Lip Drip in Scrollin.
For a bold look: Sunset tones like vibrant corals and electric oranges pair perfectly with the warm tones in your skin. Get a head-turning matte lip look with Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in En Fuego or try Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Shimmer Down (pair it with Line Loud Vegan Longwear Lip Liner in Habanero Hottie for added oomph).
Best Lipstick Colors For Neutral Undertones
If you have neutral skin, there are lots of shades of lipstick that you can rock well—everything from warm brick reds to cool berries and browns will look good on you (congrats!).
For a natural look: Try a dusty rose hue, like Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss in Strike a Rose, or consider experimenting with a soft cocoa shade—we love Soft Matte Lip Cream in Rome.
For a bold look: Lean into your girly side with a bold raspberry lip using Fat Oil Slick Click in Double Tap, or consider experimenting with unexpected color. The neutral undertones in your skin mean you can wear even vivid fantasy shades with relative ease. See for yourself with Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color in Saw a Ghost Pepper.
3. Consider Your Hair Color
Your hair color is less important to consider than your complexion when searching for the perfect lipstick, but still worth taking into account. For a cohesive look, you’ll want to ensure that your chosen lip color doesn’t clash with your hair. So, if you have cool-toned skin and naturally cooler hair (like ash blonde or mushroom brown), you’ll get the most flattering look with an equally cool-toned lipstick or gloss. Those with warmer skin or hair, meanwhile, tend to look their best with warmer lipstick colors.
Also important to consider is color intensity—ultra-vivid or saturated hues may be overpowering on those with otherwise fair coloring, but stun on those with darker skin and/or hair. This, of course, doesn’t mean that you can’t wear bold or bright colors: you just have to choose them carefully.
4. Consider Your Outfit
Finally, think about what you’re wearing your lipstick with: if you’re wearing black head to toe, you may want to use your lipstick as an opportunity to give your look a bit of color. Meanwhile, softer, more subtle shades are ideal for dressed-down looks.
Ultimately, though, your personal preference is what matters most. Wear whatever makes you feel like your most beautiful, confident self—even if that means rocking a flawless red lip with your favorite sweats.
Next Up: How To Choose a Blush Color For Your Skin Tone
We’d love to see what looks you create with our lipsticks, balms, and glosses. Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics to spread the love.
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Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss
Plumping gloss with spicy ginger in 18 shades
FAT OIL SLICK CLICK
Lightweight, buildable pigmented balm in click up packaging available in 12 shades.
Fat Oil Lip Drip
Hydrating tinted lip oil gloss
Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss
Fan Fave Buttery Gloss
SHINE LOUD HIGH SHINE LIP COLOR
High-shine, long-lasting lip gloss
Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream
Ultra-Smooth Vegan Lip Cream
Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick
16H Full-Bodied Matte Liquid Lipstick
