We’ve all been there. You see a lipstick shade on a model in a beauty magazine or on the lips of your best pal, and you think, “I’ve GOT to have that shade!” You buy it, bring it home, put it on, and – yikes! Not at all what you were expecting. The problem with lipstick is that shades will not look identical on every woman who tries them on for size. Depending on your skin tone, hair color and even wardrobe choices, a lipstick can look kissably great or like something out of a horror flick. The good news is that there are some basic guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your lipstick color will work for you.

Who’s the Fairest of them All?

Fairest in skin tone, that is. The first factor to consider in selecting a lip color is what your skin tone is. Darker skin tones can indulge in the deep plums and reds for drama, while lighter tones should opt for beige shades with pink or orange undertones. An olive complexion can wear just about any of the brown shades with style. Keeping these very general guidelines in mind as you shop for your next tube of lipstick should help to lead you in the right direction, but you can go even further in your color analysis if you prefer. Before you try a tester lipstick out on your own mouth, you can run that tube across a piece of white paper to examine the shade for undertones. Lipsticks with a red or pink undertone can be a good choice, as long as you don’t have too many red tones in your skin. Yellow undertones tend to work better on darker complexions, while silver-grey undertones can add shimmer to a paler complexion. Stay away from blue undertones as a rule, since these are rarely complimentary on anyone!

Once you have found a shade or two of lipstick that look promising, try them out before you head to the checkout counter if you can. The best way to see if a lipstick shade is going to work for you is by trying it on – the same way you would a cocktail dress or bathing suit. If you simply cannot find the perfect shade for you, try combining a couple of different colors for a unique, customized look. Apply a small amount of each color to your lips, and blend well with a lip brush. It is also a good idea to keep in mind that if you will be going heavy on the eye makeup for an evening look, you might want to use a lighter shade of lipstick to avoid the “clown” effect on your evening face. A softer shade of lipstick followed by a high-shine gloss will give you some evening glam while it flatters those smoky eyes.

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