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| The right lipstick shade harmonises with your hair colour, eye colour, and skin tone for a polished look. |
Learn how to choose the right lipstick shade for your hair colour, eye colour, and skin tone. Easy tips for finding flattering lip colours that make your whole look come together.
Finding the
right lipstick is not about following trends. It is about understanding what
works with your individual colouring — your hair, eyes, and skin tone. The
right shade makes your whole face look more harmonious and alive. For a
complete lip routine, combine this with our guide on using lip balm to
keep your lips soft and smooth as the perfect base for any lipstick.
Matching Lipstick to Your
Skin Tone
Warm skin
tones look best with coral, peach, terracotta, warm red, and burnt orange lip
shades. Cool skin tones suit berry, mauve, plum, rosy pink, and blue-based
reds. Neutral skin tones can wear both families well — nude pink, rose, and
classic red all work beautifully.
Lipstick Shades by Skin
Tone
|
Skin Tone |
Most
Flattering Lipstick Shades |
|
Fair and cool |
Soft pink, berry, rose,
cool red |
|
Fair and warm |
Peach, coral, nude pink,
warm red |
|
Medium and cool |
Mauve, plum, raspberry,
bright pink |
|
Medium and warm |
Coral, terracotta, warm
nude, orange-red |
|
Deep and cool |
Berry, deep plum, burgundy,
cool fuchsia |
|
Deep and warm |
Brick red, burnt sienna,
deep coral, warm brown |
Pairing Lipstick With Hair
Colour
Blondes look
stunning with peachy nudes, pinks, and soft reds. Brunettes can pull off deeper
shades like wine, berry, and classic red. Redheads are complemented by warm
nudes, coral, and terracotta. Those with dark hair look powerful in bold shades
like red, plum, and fuchsia.
Lipstick Shades by Hair
Colour
|
Hair Colour |
Recommended
Lip Shades |
|
Blonde |
Peach, nude pink, soft
pink, warm red |
|
Brunette |
Berry, wine, classic red,
mauve |
|
Red hair |
Warm nude, coral,
terracotta, peach |
|
Dark or black hair |
Bold red, plum, fuchsia,
deep berry |
|
Grey or silver hair |
Soft pink, cool mauve,
berry, rose |
Affiliate-Recommended
Lipsticks
Two
universally flattering picks are MAC Cosmetics Velvet Teddy Lipstick a
warm nude that works across a wide range of skin tones, and Charlotte
Tilbury Pillow Talk Lipstick a dusty pink-nude that flatters almost
everyone regardless of hair or eye colour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my lipstick undertone?
Check your
skin's undertone first. Warm skin suits warm lip shades with yellow or orange
bases. Cool skin suits lip shades with blue or pink bases.
Can I wear any lip colour I like regardless of skin tone?
Yes —
personal style matters. But understanding your undertone helps you choose
shades that make your natural colouring look its best.
What lipstick makes teeth look whiter?
Cool-toned
reds and berries with blue undertones reflect light and make teeth appear
whiter. Avoid orange-based or very warm nudes which can make teeth look yellow.
Is matte or glossy lipstick more flattering?
Gloss adds
volume and works well for thinner lips. Matte is more sophisticated and
long-lasting. Choose based on lip shape and the occasion.
Should lipstick match or complement eye makeup?
Complement
rather than match. If you have bold eye makeup, keep lips simple. If lips are
the focus, keep eye makeup understated.
What is the best lipstick for beginners?
A sheer or
tinted balm is the most forgiving. A peachy nude or soft pink is easy to apply
and flatters most skin tones without precision.
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