Hello, beautiful souls! I’m Natalie Setareh, a professional makeup artist and educator dedicated to helping you unlock your beauty potential. With years of experience in the industry, I’ve seen firsthand how the right lipstick can transform not just your look, but your confidence. So let’s talk about how to find the perfect lipstick for you!
My mission is to provide practical, actionable advice that empowers you to embrace your unique features and express yourself through makeup. Whether you’re a bold lipstick lover or someone who prefers a more subtle approach, I’m here to guide you in finding the perfect lipstick shade that complements your skin tone and personal style.
If you prefer listening and learning, you can find most of what I share below in this podcast episode.
Listen Below
How To Find The Perfect Lipstick Shade For Your Skin Tone
There are two camps of people: those who love to rock bold lipstick and those who don’t. It’s easy to feel “like a clown” when we put on a vibrant shade, even though we see others do it so effortlessly. Why is that? Let’s explore how to find the perfect lipstick shade for your unique skin tone and personal style.
Step One – Pinpoint Your Skin’s Undertone
The first thing to consider when choosing the right lipstick shade is your skin’s undertone. This can be a daunting task, but it’s crucial for finding your perfect match. There are three main types of undertones:
- Cool Undertone – Those with cool-toned skin might notice a bluish or purple hue. Cool skin tones often look best in silver jewelry.
- Warm Undertone – Warm-toned skin has a golden or peachy hue. If you look best in gold jewelry, you likely have warm undertones.
- Neutral Undertone – Some people have a neutral skin tone, which means they can wear both cool and warm shades equally well.
**Pro Tip**
To determine your undertone, look at the veins on your wrist in natural light. If they appear greenish, you likely have warm undertones. If they look blue or purple, you probably have cool undertones. And if it’s hard to tell, you might have neutral undertones.
Step Two – Find The Perfect Lipstick Color for Your Skin Tone
Once you’ve identified your skin’s undertone, you can explore the wide range of lipstick shades that will complement your natural beauty.
Cool Skin Tones
Look for deep berry shades, blue-based reds, plums, and mauve nudes.
Lipstick Recommendation: NARS Audacious Lipstick in “Anna”
This shade is a beautiful deep berry with blue undertones, making it perfect for cool skin tones. The creamy formula provides full coverage and a luxurious finish, enhancing your natural beauty.
Warm Skin Tones
Choose coral shades, orange-based reds, peachy nudes, and vibrant oranges.
Lipstick Recommendation: MAC Lipstick in “Coral Bliss”
This coral shade is ideal for warm undertones, offering a vibrant pop of color that complements warm skin tones beautifully. Its creamy texture glides on smoothly, providing a comfortable wear throughout the day.
Neutral Skin Tones
You’re lucky! Most shades will work well, but consider your overall look and the occasion.
Lipstick Recommendation: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in “Pillow Talk”
This universally flattering shade is a soft pink-nude that works well for neutral skin tones. Its matte finish and buildable formula allow for a natural look or a more dramatic effect, making it versatile for any occasion.
Step Three – Consider Your Skin Tone
Undertone isn’t the only thing that’s important to consider. You also want to consider your skin tone when selecting a shade of lipstick that will be flattering to your features.
- Fair skin tones – Opt for light pinks, nudes, or soft corals for everyday wear. For a bolder look, try blue-based reds.
- Medium skin tones – Rich pinks, mauves, and berry shades work well. Don’t be afraid to try vibrant shades!
- Dark skin tones – Choose deep reds, rich browns, and bold purples. Bright colors also create a beautiful color contrast.
Step Four – Consider Your Hair and Eye Color
Your hair color and eye color can also play a role in finding your ideal shade. Here are just some examples:
- Dark hair – This trait often pairs well with bold, deep shades.
- Blue eyes – Accentuate your baby blues with coral and peach tones.
- Green eyes – This feature pops when paired with plum and mauve shades.
Step Five – Experiment with Different Colors
While these guidelines are a good place to start, personal preference is key. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try new shades. Sometimes, the perfect lipstick shade is the one that makes you feel confident, regardless of “rules.”
The best way to work into incorporating a bold lipstick into your beauty ritual is to apply it and wipe it off, then top it with a gloss. This technique “stains” your lips and you’ll gradually get used to the color, wiping less and less off over time.
Tips for Flawless Lipstick Application
Getting your lipstick application just right is as important as choosing a compatible shade. Here are four easy steps to get it right:
1. Exfoliate your lips before applying lipstick for a smooth finish.
Gently exfoliating your lips helps to remove any dry or flaky skin, ensuring that your lipstick glides on effortlessly and looks flawless. You can use a lip scrub or a soft toothbrush for this step, followed by a moisturizing balm to keep your lips hydrated.
2. Use a lip liner to define your lip shape, especially your upper lip.
A lip liner helps create a well-defined lip shape and prevents your lipstick from bleeding or feathering. Start by tracing along your natural lip line, focusing on the cupid’s bow for a polished look. You can also fill in your lips with the liner to make your lipstick last longer.
3. Apply lipstick with a brush for precision, especially for bold colors.
Using a lip brush allows for a more controlled and precise application, making it easier to achieve crisp lines and even coverage. This technique is particularly useful when working with bold or dark shades, as it helps to avoid mistakes and ensures a professional finish.
4. For a natural look, dab your lipstick on with your finger for a subtle stain effect.
If you’re aiming for a more understated, everyday look, lightly tapping your lipstick on with your fingertip can create a soft, diffused effect. This method gives your lips a hint of color that looks fresh and natural, perfect for a casual day out or a minimalist makeup style.
Special Occasion vs. Everyday Wear
Consider the occasion when choosing your lipstick. A bright red might be perfect for a special occasion but too bold for everyday wear.
Nude shades are versatile and great for daily use. Remember, we all have different “nude” shades! Our nude is generally found in our lips… look for the lightest color that lives in our lips and that is our nude.
The Impact of Seasonal Color Palettes
In addition to considering the occasion, you’ll also want to consider the season. Seasonal color palettes can influence your lipstick choices and it’s just fun to play around with! Spring and summer is a great time to wear lighter, brighter shades. Fall and winter are great for deeper, richer tones.
Remember, the best lipstick shade is the one that makes you feel confident and beautiful. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and finishes to find what works best for you.
Want more personalized advice? Consider working with me inside my Create Your Signature Look program, where together with a stylist, we can help you create your signature look based on your unique features and personal style preferences.
Being an Educated Consumer
It’s easy to buy a lipstick here and there and end up with a drawer full of lipsticks that won’t get used up before they expire. Using expired lipsticks can pose risks such as bacterial infections, skin irritation, and unpleasant smells. If you don’t remember the last time you used a lipstick, smell it. If it has a rancid odor, it’s probably not good anymore.
Use up what you have and mix/match colors to make more out of what you have. Only buy when you’re ready to use it up and use it regularly. When you buy, try to purchase refillable lipstick tubes and replace them with your favorites. Consider the environmental factor before buying, as lipstick cases are hard to recycle and, en masse, create a ton of waste.
A great way to use up your old and expired lipsticks is with my lipstick art coloring book. It’s the best way to use up old and expired lipsticks and also makes a great gift for kiddos who want to play with makeup in an age-appropriate way.
< insert image of coloring book here >
And if you’re vegan, shop carefully for red lipstick. Many of them are made with carmine, a pigment derived from cochineal beetles.
Closing Thoughts
As you embark on your lipstick journey, remember that makeup is a form of self-expression. The right lipstick shade can enhance your natural beauty and boost your confidence. If you’re eager to learn more about makeup application and how to choose products that suit your unique features, I invite you to grab a copy of my book “Be Your Own Makeup Artist”. This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about finding the perfect lipstick shade, formula, and application techniques tailored to your individual style.
My book, Be Your Own Makeup Artist, will teach you everything you need to know about how to find the perfect lipstick!
For those who want to delve deeper and truly master the art of makeup, check out my Makeup Learning Lab. This comprehensive online course is designed to help you master makeup application, tailored to your unique features and style. Visit nataliesetareh.com/shop to explore the Makeup Learning Lab and take your makeup skills to the next level. Embrace your beauty journey, and let your true colors shine!
Beauty is about perception, not about make-up. I think the beginning of all beauty is knowing and liking oneself. You can't put on make-up, or dress yourself, or do you hair with any sort of fun or joy if you're doing it from a position of correction.
kevyn aucoin
