How to Match Lip Color and Skin Tone

When choosing a shade of lip color, many people are clueless when it comes to knowing what looks good with their skin tone. There are a few things that you can do, however to make better choices in this area. By paying attention to what colors you look best in and knowing which ones to shy away from, you can pick the best lip color for your needs.

Instructions

1. Know if you have a warm or a cool skin tone. The easiest way to find out is to look at the veins on your inner wrist. If they appear green, then you have a warm skin tone; if they appear blue, you should go for cooler tones. Many cosmetics say right on the package if a color is for a warm or cool skin tone, which makes the selection process even easier.

2. Pick something that flatters your complexion. If you're fair skinned, stay away from dark colors that can overpower your face. Stick with pale pinks and berry shades to give yourself a little bit of natural color. Medium to olive tones work well with such neutrals as apricots, beiges and nudes. If you have dark skin, you can be bolder and choose shades of mauve, red and berry.

3. Keep it light and layer the color for daily wear. To avoid applying too much color, choose a sheer lip color and layer it on until you get the desired effect. This strategy gives you the hint of color that you want, but doesn't make you stand out in a crowd.