UPDATE: NEW COLOR CHARTS (6/27/18)
All About That Base:
First things first, you’ll need to identify the base color of your skin. You either have more of a yellow (warm), or a pink (cool) tone. According to Women’s Health Magazine, 80 percent of women fall into the cool zone, but don’t just assume that you do.
Quickies:
A quick trick for determining your undertone is to evaluate the veins on the underneath side of your forearm in natural light. If your veins appear to be more on the blue side, you’re a cool; if they’re more of a green, you’re a warm. Another quick trick is to hold silver jewelry and gold jewelry up to your skin, and disregarding personal preference about which metal you favor, compare the two options to see which pairs the best with your coloring. Silver compliments cooler (blue) undertones and gold compliments the warmer (yellow) ones. Once you have identified your undertone, this will be beneficial in helping you narrow down which lipstick shade works best for you. Generally speaking, cool tones work better with fair skinned women and warm tones work better with the darker complexions.
Foul-Proof Options:
If all else fails, according to renowned makeup artist, Bobbi Brown, the most flattering lip colors will be one to two shades darker than your natural lip color. Her best piece of advice is to “find a lipstick that looks good on your face when you are wearing absolutely no makeup”. Another no-fail tip according to the pros, is to go with the universal shade for all, dusty-rose. This flattering, muted mauve color may be worn for daytime and evening events and flatters all skin colors and tones.
Rise to (err…Match to) the Occasion:
After you’ve sufficiently selected which undertone you are, you can get a little more adventurous with your selections and match your lipstick shade with the occasion and/or the message you want to convey. Read more about lipstick and color psychology here, as well as color recommendations for your skin tone paired with the corresponding occasion.
Is the article missing a link? “Read more about lipstick and color psychology here.” I would like to but am not sure where “here” is.
Thank you for pointing that out! I had no idea it wasn’t working. I added the hyperlink now!
I’ve been told I have yellow undertones but I have blond hair and green eyes. I usually wear a brown/pink lipstick with pink/mauve eyeshadow. I am trying to find a good color lipstick but having a problem. Cool pink seems a little “bright” for me and praline rose a little too brown. I tried my daughters pink champagne and it turned sort of violet on me. Do you have any suggestions on color? I should mention that I am in my 50’s.
Hi Karen!
I’m going to send you an email with some pics of color suggestions! It won’t let me post in the comments!
This is really helpful, thank you! I’ve been on a search for my perfect everyday color. Ideally, it would be the color my lips are when they’re first chapped…they look so great!! Of course, I’d prefer not to experience the later stages of chapped lips and I can’t keep them chapped all the time…any suggestions for a lipsense color that might match? My skin tone is cool, I’m fairly fair (ha) most of the time, though I can get pretty tan in the summer. I was looking at something like “current”…? Also thought about layering or mixing caramel apple with a bit of blu red. I wish there were a way to try several on to see! I’d love to hear what you think.
Hi Lorrie!
I had to LOL at the chapped lip comment, because I know exactly what you’re talking about! I too, love that natural rosey hue 🙂 Currant is pretty dark, but a gorgeous berry shade. For a natural “chapped” look since you are a cool, I would try Aussie Rose layered with Caramel Apple or Icicle (our completely clear shade) which is great for layering! I have every color as a tester and I would be happy to send you some pics of layered looks swatched on my hand to give you an idea of what they would look like! So shoot me an email with some combos you would like to virtually “try out” and I’ll send you some options! everlastingbeautyco@gmail.com. After I pick my son up from carpool, I’ll send you the ones you mentioned above! I’m so happy you reached out because I love helping with the color selection! XO, Christy
Ooooh, that would be awesome! And ha, I’ve just realized that I think I’m actually a “warm” rather than a cool. I just kinda assumed and then I actually looked at my veins and they DO look kinda green! Gonna have to re-evaluate. I’ll email you in just a bit, thank you so much!