After meticulously contouring, highlighting, and enhancing the brows and lashes, lipstick is often the finishing touch. However, a beauty expert has stressed the importance of choosing the right lipstick shade based on your skin’s undertone.
The perfect lipstick shade is determined by basic colour and light theory, but if a particular colour boosts your confidence, don’t hesitate to wear it. Makeup artist Kerrin Jackson has revealed that the first step to finding the ideal shade is to consider your skin’s natural hues, whether warm, cool, or neutral.
She pointed out that “the most unflattering lipstick” shades for those with warm undertones are “neutrals or cool” as they can “appear ashy” and fail to enhance the complexion. Warm skin tones tend to be golden, peachy, and yellow; veins often appear greener against the skin.
Individuals who tan quickly, look good in gold jewellery, and have natural hair colours ranging from red, brown, or black to strawberry blonde are considered ‘warm’. Eye colour is also an indicator of undertones, with brown, amber or hazel hues often linked to warmth.
Women with a combination of these features tend to look better in red, peach or orange-toned lipsticks. On the other hand, dark lipsticks can “give the illusion of thinning your lips”, which doesn’t contribute to a youthful appearance, warned Kerrin, reports the Express.
People with cool undertones, often blue, red, or pink, are typically prone to sunburn or tan slowly. They usually look radiant in silver jewellery and have hair colours that range from brown and black to blonde.
Their eyes are generally blue, grey, or green, and their wrist veins appear blue. Kerrin advises those with cool undertones to avoid extreme lipstick shades, such as very light or dark hues.
“Light lipstick shades, such as skin tone shades…do nothing to enhance or bring warmth to your face,” she explained. She also cautioned that these tones can make you look “sickly and unwell.”
According to experts at She Finds, women over 40 seeking to add a “glow or youthfulness” to their look should avoid these colours, as they are “a big no,” Cool undertones are best complimented by plum, light berry, and pink tones.
Those with neutral undertones, who tan slowly and rarely burn in the sun, can wear gold and silver jewellery. Their wrist veins can appear either green or blue.
Complexions that contain both cool and warm hues can pull off virtually any colour, but mauve, rose, and nude shades work best to bring out the best of both tones. However, shades aren’t the only thing to consider for those seeking a more youthful appearance through makeup.
As women age, lips get thinner, collagen production decreases, and the muscles around the mouth lose their strength slightly.
There are a few tricks to give your lips a fuller look. Using a lip primer before applying lipstick can prevent the product from bleeding above the lip line, making your lips appear plumper. Applying concealer around the outer edge of the lips can also help them look less thin—remember to blend it in.
A quick way to add depth and dimension to aged lips is to combine two different lipstick shades—a slightly darker one on the outer edges and a lighter one in the centre. Adding a touch of highlighter or gloss to the centre creates a fuller appearance.