Lip gloss or lipstick? Pink or red? Plum or nude? The options are endless when it comes to adding a little color to your lips and if you’re like me, you tend to get overwhelmed.
I’ve always been one to never leave the house without my chapstick, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized I needed a little more pop of color than clear chapstick. When I went to Target to pick up a few things the other day I popped into the makeup aisle to check out the lipsticks and had no idea where to start. If I love pink, do I go for a pink shade? What about red, are my teeth white enough for that? Do I need a night lipstick and a day lipstick? Oh how nice it must be to be a man and put a comb through your hair and walk out the door.
I grabbed a few different shades and went home to start testing them out. I played around with shades of red, some dark and some bright, a few different pinks, nudes and even a plum. I found some brought out my freckles, some make my teeth look white and some just washed me out like a ghost, but after a few trial and errors and a major kool-aid looking stained mouth later I discovered a few things that you should consider when finding your perfect shade.
How darling is this lipstick print from Katie Niemiec‘s etsy shop!
3 Steps to Your Perfect Shade
1. Determine your skin’s undertone
Your skin tone plays a large role when selecting which lipstick shade works in your favor. Not sure how to find your skin’s undertone? Look at the underside of your wrist in natural sunlight, if your veins appear bright blue, you have a cool undertone and pinks or berry colored lipsticks will work best. If veins appear green, you’re warm-toned. Salmons, peaches and corals should be your go-tos. (Today.com)
2. Seasons change and so should your lips
In the warmer temperatures, light pinks and sheer textures are ideal for daytime. Feel free to glam it up a little with a bright pink or red for the evening. In the ripe of winter, creamy dark wines and plums work better for both day and night time. Feel free to go a little darker at night time to create a day to night look.
3. Define your lip shape and size
If you have a smaller smile steer away from darker colors as they can make lips look smaller. Where as brighter colors will make lips appear bigger. If you have thin lips stick to light-to-medium shades. Darker shades also tend to draw more attention to your lips, a tip you should keep in mind if you want to accentuate or minimize your lips.
Photography by Samantha Elizabeth
Space: DL Loft
I’ve been loving these shades below, but still on a hunt for the perfect plum color. Any recommendations?
Nude: Make- Matte Nude
Pink: Kryolan-Marilyn
Bright Red:Make-Scarlet Oak
Deep Red: Rimmel London- 01