One of my core principles is that you can never have enough red or purple lipstick, but I know that the shades that I adore might not work so well for everyone. Today's blog post will cover how to pick the perfect lipstick shade for your skin, and we aren't going to get super scientific here at all. Finding the perfect lipstick shade takes time, and it's not always about what should scientifically work best for you. I am a big believer in trying and testing until you get the shades that make you happy.
1. Test Out Potential Lipstick Shades In A Store
The easiest ways to find your perfect lipstick shade is to test and swatch lipsticks in a store. Go to the makeup store of your choice and test out the offerings that they have. If you can test it out on your lips, go for it! If not, testing out the lipstick on your arm will work. You just need to make sure that you can see the lipstick and how it reacts to your skin tone. You should be able to tell if you like the color right away. Get some second opinions while you are there as well.
Once you find a shade of lipstick that goes well with your skin at the store hyperfocus on that color! Find other lipsticks that are similar to that color but slightly different. Find your shade and get it in every possible lipstick tube.
2. Purchase Cheap Lipstick To Find Your Perfect Lipstick Shade
When you aren't sure which shade might look best on you, another way to decide is to purchase a few different colors that aren't too expensive. When I just want to test a shade, I love getting Essential Lipsticks from e.l.f. Cosmetics because they are only a $1. The lipstick isn't amazing, but it's a good enough quality to test out different shades without costing an arm and a leg. The Velvet Matte Lipsticks and the Moisturizing Lipsticks from e.l.f. Cosmetics are also great for testing as they are usually just $3 a piece, they also come in way more colors than the $1 lipstick.
If you get a super cheap lipstick, you get what you pay for. This is a great option if you want to try different shades without leaving your house, but it's not a great option for seeing the best of what that shade can do for you. Cheap lipsticks aren't the best lipsticks. You may find that a shade that you hated as a cheap lipstick swatch becomes your best friend when you try a more expensive lipstick in that shade.
3. Find Your Perfect Lipstick Shade Based On What Other's Wear
Lastly, another way to determine the perfect lipstick shade for you is by seeing what other people wear. Check out celebrities and the makeup lovers in your own life that have a similar skin tone. What colors do they gravitate towards? You may even want to ask them directly what their favorite lipstick shades are. When you understand what works for other people, you can replicate that for yourself. This method will still take some trial and error, just because it looks good on someone else, doesn't mean it will look good on you. I love seeing what other people are wearing, though, because you may find a lipstick shade you never considered wearing before.
Conclusion
Lipstick is a grand experiment. I love trying new shades and colors, along with stockpiling the colors that I know will work for my skin. Makeup should be an experiment. You should try to get out of your comfort zone every once and a while! I hope that these three tips help you find a shade that you can enjoy for a long time to come.
What is your favorite lipstick shade?
