How to Choose The Best Lipstick Shades For Your Skin Tone

I think we can all agree that Rihanna can pull off red lipstick like nobody’s business. And Emma Stone? Have you seen her in a bad lip color?

Rihanna-Lip-Color red
Rihanna-Lip-Color image

These leading ladies are not only just stars, but lipstick superstars that inspire the masses with their bold puckers. Want to pull their colors off by finding the best lipstick shades for your skin tone? Here are a few things you need to know.

To get the most out of your lip color, you need to choose a shade that best compliments your skin tone. Just like your hair color, bold lippies can clash with your skin tone making you look washed out or sallow. To avoid the wrong lip color for your complexion, follow this handy guide for serious lip statement style.

Lipstick Shade for Skin Tone
Lipstick Shade for Skin Tone – source

Fair Skin

Rundown: Berries are best for this skin tone! To compliment a pinkish complexion, look for blue-based shades of reds and purples. Peaches and nude sheens are also very complimentary for light skin tones. Jewel-tone princess Christina Hendricks is making men go mad in this peachy coral lip color.

Best lip colors:

Reds: Blue-based, berry-tinted shades, like Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Glamour Red.

Pinks: Light shades like petal, sugar, and candy pinks, like Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Rose.

Nudes: Luminous shades of peachy coral, pearly rust, honey, like Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Cherish.

Browns: Honey browns – Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Smile is perfect.

Purples: Mauves, light berries, and deep plum for a dramatic look. Try Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Mauve.

Lip colors to avoid: Warm and orange-based shades can look harsh against fair skin. Stick to complimentary blue-based shades and peachy-pink shades for your best look yet.


Tan Skin

Rundown: Soft shades shine with this skin tone. Drama looks good on olive skin when it comes to reds and plums. Keep other colors more toned-down and delicate, as they really compliment the complexion. Kim Kardashian’s always-flawless nude lips are proof!

Best lip colors:

Reds: Brick or rusty reds – like Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Joyful.

Pinks: Light, sugary, glossy pinks. Try Sorme Tasty Tubes in Magnetic for bright glossy color.

Nudes: Brown-based shades of peach and tan, like Sorme Mineral Botanicals Lip Color in Spirit.

Browns: Berry browns with hints of pink, like Sorme Mineral Botanicals Lip Color in Captivate.

Purples: Medium shades of plum or berry, like Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Mauve.

Lip colors to avoid: Avoid colors that are too warm and orange-based, as they can make skin appear more yellow. Bright and vivid shades of pink and coral can also appear too harsh for this skin tone. Also be sure to steer clear of orangey-reds and lean towards blue or brown based shades.


Medium Skin

Rundown: Medium and tan skin tones look gorgeous in bright, vivid, warm colors. I mean, would you look at Beyonce beaming in that bold red lip color?! Someone “ring the alarm!” In terms of drama – shoot for the moon, but be careful with light, pastel shades as they can make you look sallow.

Best lip colors:

Reds: Bright, orange-based reds – Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Golden Nugget.

Pinks: Bright punch and berry-colored pinks, like Sorme Lip Thick Plumping Lip Gloss in Empress.

Nudes: Shimmery peach and corals – try Sorme Mineral Botanicals Lip Color in Delicious.

Browns: Deeper, gold-based browns, like Sorme Tasty Tubes in Mesmerize.

Purples: Deep berries, like Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Mauve.

Lip colors to avoid: Light and pastel shades can make skin tone appear dull. Also steer clear of blue-based shades of reds and purples, as they can rob your face of its warm, golden glow!


Dark Skin

Rundown: Dark-skinned ladies have it made: They can pull off the bold brights and the deep dramatics! Deeper shades look amazing on this skin tone. Plum and oxblood are some of the hottest colors of the season, and their gorgeous complexions can pull it off better than any other. Brights are also an incredible contrast against dark skin. Just look at that watermelon pucker on Kerry Washington! SCANDALous!

Best lip colors:

Reds: Garnet, Candy Apple, Ruby, Oxblood, like Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Brique.

Pinks: Fuchsia, Punch – try Sorme Lip Thick Plumping Lip Gloss in Empress.

Nudes: Coppery peach, like Sorme Lip Thick Plumping Lip Gloss in L’Amour.

Browns: Deep, rich browns, like Sorme Mineral Botanicals Lip Color in Dazzling.

Purples: Mulberry, deep plum, like Sorme Perfect Performance Lip Color in Mauve.

Lip colors to avoid:

Light nudes and pastels can be very underwhelming on this skin tone. Bright, warm, and deep are best!


Lastly, remember to consider your face makeup – like foundation and bronzer. This can also affect how your lip color looks on your skin. For best results, choose foundation shades that match your skin tone as closely as possible, and be sure to consider the shade of blush you’ll wear with your lipstick.

Want more ideas for dazzling lip color? Shop here.

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