How to Choose Lipstick Colours for Your Undertone

Lipstick is one of the best ways to imbue your makeup look with colour and creativity. From subtle nude shades to deep wine hues and everything in between, lipstick can liven up your makeup in just one swipe. But putting your trust in the wrong shade can just as easily wash out your complexion.

The way to avoid this? Learning how to choose lipstick for your skin tone and undertone.

That’s why we’ve created this guide on how to choose lipstick colours for every skin undertone to help you find shades that complement your natural radiance.

Identify your skin tone and undertone

Knowing how to choose lipstick colours relies on matching your shade to your skin tone and your undertone.

Your skin tone, which is simple enough to identify, is the surface colour of your skin; whereas your skin undertone is the colour that comes from beneath the surface of your skin to compose your overall hue. It can also dictate which colours look best against your complexion – anything from hair colour to clothing to makeup shades.

The best lipstick shades for you will share values with your skin undertone – be that cool, warm, or neutral. To make it easy, there are two simple ways to discover your undertone.

Cast your eyes to the underside of your wrist and examine the colour of your veins:

• Blue or purple veins indicate a cool undertone
• Green veins suggest a warm undertone
• A mix means you’re likely a neutral undertone

Test a white piece of fabric then a cream-coloured piece of fabric against your skin:

• If off-white makes your skin glow, you have a cool undertone
• If white looks best, you have a warm undertone
• If both look like a natural fit, you have a neutral undertone

How to find the perfect lipstick shade for your undertone

Everyone can achieve a high-impact look with a bold red lip, or a classic natural makeup look with a creamy nude shade lipstick – it just requires some trial and error. Our top tip for how to pick the right lipstick colour is to reach for shades that complement your undertone – this ensures they will flatter your complexion and won’t wash you out.

Read on for some of our favourite pink, nude and red lipstick colours for cool, warm and neutral undertones.

Lipstick shade finder: cool undertones

If you have cool undertones, your best lip colours will share this quality.

These are colours that lean towards the cool section of the colour wheel, like berry pinks, cherry reds – and even purples – for a bold lip look. We’ve compiled some recommendations below for cool-toned skin to bring out your natural flush.

Red: Berry red and cool undertones are a match made in heaven. So, when you’re crafting a dramatic lip, opt for the vivid, cool-toned Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Velvet Radical in ‘Radical Chili’.

Nude: You’ll want to look for a natural or nude lipstick that’s one to two shades deeper than your natural lips. Steer clear of brown-based nudes and seek out nudes with pink pigments instead. The YSL Loveshine in ‘Nude Lavallière’ is the perfect pink-based nude with a wet-shine finish that glistens on the lips.

Pink: Cool undertones can pull off a pink like no other because pink is typically a cool-toned colour. For a true pink lipstick, we love the Rouge Pur Couture in ‘Rose No Taboo’ for its burst of pure colour.

Lipstick shade finder: warm undertones

If you’re wondering how to find the perfect lipstick shade or warm undertones, you can look to hues on the warmer side of the colour spectrum. Some of the most flattering shades are coral pinks, orange reds and golden nudes – these shades will highlight the natural warmth of your skin tone. Try some of our shade suggestions listed below.

Red: Orange-toned red lipsticks are ideal for warm undertones, so we recommend the Rouge Pur Couture in ‘Le Orange’ for intense colour that will still flatter your complexion.

Nude: For high-impact nude lipstick shades that pop against a warm undertone, look for peach or golden-toned nudes. The YSL Loveshine Candy Glaze in ‘Nude Pleasure’ is a quintessential golden nude with a glossy finish and hydrating feel.

Pink: Peachy or coal pinks – that is, any shade with a warm, orange hue – are always going to be winners. Our pick of the bunch is the Rouge Pur Couture in ‘Transgressive Coral’ to bring out the natural warmth in your skin.

Lipstick shade finder: neutral undertones

As a neutral undertone, you’ll find that you have a wealth of complementary lipstick colours and shades at your disposal. When discerning how to choose a lipstick colour that makes you feel like your most confident self, you can consider the depth or fairness of your skin tone alongside your undertone.

Red: You have your pick of red shades as a neutral undertone. Whether your skin tone is deeper or on the fairer side, a vibrant red like the Rouge Pur Couture The Bold in ‘Rouge Provocation’ will always stand out against your complexion.

Nude: Beige or pink nudes will flatter any neutral undertones – just be sure to factor in the colour of your surface skin tone when selecting your shade. The Rouge Pur Couture in ‘Beige Trench’ hits the brief for any neutral-toned beauties.

Pink: If you love a high-shine moment, we suggest the YSL Loveshine in ‘Raspberry Shine’, which nourishes the lips while delivering beautiful colour payoff.

Now that you’ve mastered our tips on how to choose lipstick colours, discover the secrets to long-lasting lipstick.