How To Choose Lipstick Shades Based On Undertones?

Finding the right lipstick can feel like a treasure hunt - widely talked about but rarely found! With endless options like pinks, nudes, mauves, browns and reds; it’s easy to wonder which lipstick shade suits me best. The answer is simple - the first step in this journey is to understand your undertones. This guide will help you learn how to find correct lipstick shade every time. Read on to decode undertones and discover lipstick shades according to skin tone that feel truly made for you.

Understanding Lipstick Undertones

Just like your skin, lipstick shades have undertones too - warm, cool, and neutral. It is simply the ‘hidden’ color underneath the main shade of lipstick. Here’s how you can identify which undertone your lipstick falls under -

• Warm Shades: Lipsticks for warm undertones are like colors of the sun, yellow, orange, or even red.
• Cool Shades: Cool undertone lipsticks have hints of blue, pink, and purple - the other half of your color wheel.
• Neutral Shades: Neutral lipsticks have balanced undertones and don’t lean too warm or cool. Coffee colors and taupes are some examples of neutral tones.

Now that you know about the different lipstick undertones, all you have to do is figure out which undertone family and shade suits you the best. Here are three simple steps to help you choose:

How To Choose Lipstick Shades Correctly Based On Undertones?

Here’s how to find lipstick shades based on undertones:

Step 1: Understand Your Skin’s Undertone

An undertone is the subtle, underlying hue beneath the skin's surface. Warm lipsticks suit warm skin tones, and cool lipstick undertones are ideal for cooler skin. How to know your undertone, you ask? Simply try these 3 steps at home -

• Vein Color Test: Look at the veins beneath your wrists. If they appear blue or purple, you likely have cool undertones. If they look more greenish, you likely have warm undertones. If it’s a mix of both, you may have neutral undertones.

 

• Jewellery Test (Gold vs. Silver): A quick way to determine your undertone is to see which jewellery looks best on you. If gold jewellery tends to complement your skin and makes it glow, you can choose lipsticks for warm undertones. If silver jewellery looks better on you, it usually means you have cool undertones. If both gold and silver suit you, you may have neutral undertones.

 

• White Paper Test: Hold a purpure white paper next to your face in natural light. If your skin looks more yellow or golden next to the white paper, you have warm undertones. If it looks more pink or blue, you likely have cool undertones. If it appears more neutral, you might have a balanced undertone and you can choose lip colors for neutral skin tones.

Step 2: Choose Basis Your Skin’s Undertone

Warm Undertone

Golden hour colors are your best friends if you have a warm skin undertone. Choosing the wrong shade can dull your glow. Shades in yellows, peaches, and a few reds are great lipsticks for warm undertones.

Here’s the list of lipstick shades for warm undertones:

• Orangey-reds
• Brick-reds
• Terra-cotta
• Peach
• Corals
• Warm browns
• Caramels

Cool Undertone

If you’re thinking “which lipstick shade suits me if I have cool undertone?” Go for blue-based shades. Lipsticks for cool undertones also have hints of purple and pink in them, making them flattering for people with cool-toned skin.

Here’s the list of lipstick shades for cool undertones

• Blue and purple shades
• Mauves
• Bright cherry reds
• Berry shades like cranberry; or a deep plum
• Fuschia and purple pinks
• Raspberry or hot pink

Neutral Undertones

Neutral undertones are versatile but tricky. Since both warm and cool shades work, knowing how to find correct lipstick shade becomes essential to avoid washing out your features. Shades that offer the right mix of warmth and coolness are your best bet.

Here are some lip colors for neutral skin tones that you can always bet on -

• Pink-brown nude shades
• Dusty pinks
• Classic reds
• Soft browns
• Muted mauves
• Taupe

Step 3: Test Before Buying

Now that you know how to choose the correct lipstick shade, it’s time to double-check. These simple tricks are your last-minute reassurance that the color you’ve picked will never betray you.

Swatching On Wrists Vs. Lips

A great way to test your newly found shade is to swatch it on the back of your hand. If the shade is intense or pops on your skin, it has yellow or warm undertones. If it looks muted, you probably have cool-toned lipstick on your hands, as they are formulated using a blue pigment.

Checking Under Different Lighting Conditions

Yellow lights and white lights can also change the color of your skin. Make sure to test out shades and swatches under multiple lighting setups, and most importantly, natural light, to ensure you have the fitting shade.

How To Choose A Lipstick Shade? - Quick Recap

Your skin and lipsticks both have warm, cool, or neutral undertones. For instance, warm skin tones look radiant with warm lipstick undertones, while cool skin tones pair beautifully with cool shade. Matching your lipstick's undertone to your skin tone is the key to finding flattering shades that suit you the best.

Additional Tips On How To Choose Lipstick Based On Undertones

• Don’t forget to check the lipstick finish! The same shade may look different in a matte vs a satin touch
• Choose nourishing formulations that don’t dry out your pout
• Always look for lasting lip color results! All the work put into finding the right lipstick pays off when it lasts you longer!
• Try out different coverage styles like bold or blurred with cheek and lip tint formulas
• Give your lipstick a fuller look by adding a few swipes of shimmery lip gloss

We hope, this guide answers your queries about ‘how to choose the right lipstick shade’, ‘which lipstick shade suits me’. From everyday nudes to statement reds, try out all the trending lipstick shades to enhance your confidence, complement your complexion, and complete your look effortlessly. If you still feel confused about lip makeup, eye makeup and face makeup products, simply head to the Virtual Try-On tool. This tool realistically simulates a vast range of makeup products on your selfie or live camera. Try the Foundation Shade Finder Tool to get the tone-matched foundation makeup online.