Let’s get one thing out of the way. There is more than one lipstick color out there that will look great on you!

One of the reasons that I think we women get confused about how to pick lipstick that suits your hair and complexion is that we want beauty reviews to tell us which is “the one.” Well there are definitely shades that will compliment your colors better than others, but please keep in mind that your options are wide open.

Still, you’ve got to know where to begin, right? Well, let’s start by knowing your basic skin tone. Is it light, dark or medium? Then think about the colors you usually like to use. Some of us love bright reds, while other know it washes them out. This is where you hear beauty reviews talk about warm and cool skin tones. Would you classify your skin color as having pink or yellow undertones? If it’s pink, you’ll go for cool colors. Yellow- warm.

What about your hair? Well, it’s all a package deal. One of my favorite tricks is to smear a bit of the lipstick on my finger, and just hold it up to my face. Then go with your gut reaction. But I know –you want specifics.

If you are darker skinned with warm colors try the Dior Addict Lipstick Spicy Red 647. Cool- try NARS Lipstick Afghan Red, which is a brighter tone. Medium warms might try Bare Escentuals Lipstick Cat’s Meow. Medium cools can give NARS Lipstick Catfight a go. And for light skin? I like two other NARS offerings: NARS Lipstick Blonde Venus for warm tones, and NARS Lipstick Gipsy for cool.

Just keep in mind- this is sooo personal. Beauty reviews on how to pick lipstick that suits your hair and complexion are just a starting point for you to see what suits you bests.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls

Caterina’s Beauty and Dating podcast

Give it a listen! How to Pick Lipstick

Enjoy! — Caterina Christakos

So you have a drawer full of lipstick colors that you just can’t use? Maybe melon burst looked great in the department store mirror, but once you got it home, it just looks like you attacked a cantaloupe. You’re not alone. I get a lot of mail from girls who are baffled by the whole concept of undertones and how to pick lipstick that suits your complexion. While there is some truth to the fact that finding perfect makeup matches involves a lot of trial and error, there are also some easy guidelines to follow that will point you in the right direction.

Understanding Undertones

It’s true that your skin has undertones of either blue or yellow. But don’t despair. Here’s an easy test I stumbled across years ago to help you figure it out. Most of us prefer either gold or silver jewelry because it looks better on us. If you don’t know, hold a piece of each next to your face. One is bound to compliment your skin tone better than the other. If it’s the silver, then you likely have blue undertones and will look best in cool colors. If it’s gold, chances are you have yellow undertones and will look best in warmer tones.

Lipstick Colors Demystified

Now you may be thinking- that’s all well and good, but I’m not sure I’d know a warm lipstick shade if it sat next to me on the subway. Never fear. A key step of how to pick lipstick that suits your complexion is knowing who to ask. (That would be me!)

Warm shades include coral, peach, amber, melon, and brick red. Cooler shades include mauve, cherry, plum, rose and crimson. Look at the Bare Escentuals Lipstick Cat’s Meow lipstick to get an idea. This is a warm coral tone. Now contrast that to the Nars Lipstick Flaming Dust. This is a cool cherry tone.

These are just the basics. But the basics are exactly where you need to start when learning hot to pick lipstick that suits your complexion.

Sincerely,

Caterina Christakos - founder of stillagirl.com - a positive place for women and girls