How to Pick a Color Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

The right lip color depends on your skin tone.

Lipstick draws attention to the mouth. The effect may be subtle or extreme, depending on the color you choose, and whether you select a hue appropriate for your skin tone. The best hues for someone with dark brown tones are different from those best for someone with pale pink tones, for example. Choosing the right lip color complements, rather than clashing with, your skin color.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• Natural light

Instructions

1. Determine your true facial skin tone. Is your skin olive-toned, pink-toned, sallow, cocoa, mahogany, dark brown or pale and freckled? Ask your friends or your stylist if you are not sure.

2. Choose pastel pink or peach colors for the office or for casual wear if your skin tone is pale white or light pink. Bright, bold lipstick colors contrasted against pale skin makes you look ghostly. If you choose a red lipstick for a night on the town, opt for wine-red rather than cherry-red.

3. Pick pink, plum, light caramel and similar colors if you have a medium complexion. This applies to those with light-brown skin --- including those who are normally pale but who have a summer tan.

4. Wear colors like dark plum, chocolate, burgundy or brick-red if you are dark-toned. Dark-toned includes mahogany tones, dark olive and dark chocolate skin tones.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to experiment with different colors, or to use more than one color --- one applied over the other --- to get the look you want.

• The guidelines are simply to emphasize the colors that complement certain skin tones. Sometimes breaking the rules adds flair to your style.

References

• Celebrity Beauty Tip Goldmine: Choosing a Flattering Lipstick Color
• Makeup Sense: Lipstick Colour
• Easy Makeup Guide: Red Lipstick -- Choosing the Right One