With so many fall colors in neutral, red and wine shades, how do we choose the one that best compliments our lips? So many times I have been asked how to choose the right shade of lipstick, “so that it won’t make me look tired or too made up.”
Your skin undertone is the key to picking a shade. Women with blue undertones should choose cool colors such as plum or blue-red. Those with yellow undertones should go with warms like tomato red or golden shimmer.
Now I will tell you how to apply lipstick that will compliment your smile. If you have thin lips, go for light, bright colors. Deep shades make thin lips look hard and small. Add only a little bit of gloss, because too much gloss and shimmer reflect light and makes lips fade. To apply your lipstick, first put on lip balm, then wipe off the excess. Line the outer rim of your lips with a pencil that matches the lipstick, then color in. (Do not line lips outside pigment. It just makes the lips look unnatural.)
If you have medium-sized lips, you can go for bright or deep colors. However, to avoid looking overdone, stick with classic shades as opposed to an offbeat pink or black-purple. Using a little shimmer or gloss to pump up your lips is fine. Use a lip brush to apply lipstick for a more blended color without a defined border. For longer lasting color, apply it twice, blotting the lips between applications. Medium lips can carry bold colors like rich wine or plum.
If you have full lips, you need deeper, more intense colors to enhance them. Don’t shy away from vibrant shades such as deep purple and ruby-red, and try a little shimmer or gloss for some sexy light-reflection. Because you don’t need to define full lips, use your fingers to apply the lipstick; you will get a smudged-on look with a blurred border. Finish by dotting gloss, then rubbing your lips together to spread. You do not need liner, but if you must, don’t use one that is darker than your natural lip color.
Now go take a look at all your lipsticks and try to mix the different shades to get your own unique color. It may sound funny, but the most important thing you can do is to smell your lipstick. If it has a strong smell, it is time to toss it out and buy a new one.
