What Color Lipstick Should You Wear? MUAs Share the Best Shade for Your Skin Tone (2024)

Lipstick is one of the most fun parts of any makeup look, and you should feel free to wear whatever shade creates your desired look, be it a bold red, a subtle neutral, or a statement hue that takes center stage. That being said, there are as many lipstick options as colors in the rainbow, so we understand if you aren't sure where to start or are having trouble finding a shade that complements your skin tone. If you're looking for a new tried-and-true shade that will bring out the best in your undertones, we have all the tips you need to confidently find a lipstick you're sure to love. Ahead, see our complete guide on how to choose a lipstick based on your skin tone, straight from pro makeup artists.

What Color Lipstick Should I Wear?

"First, identify your skin undertone by swatching cool, warm, and neutral foundation shades of the same color and see which one blends in best," says celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris. "My simple recommendation for finding the perfect lipstick shade is to try nude, pink, and red lipstick shades that are cool and warm and see which one suits you best. The deeper your skin tone, the richer your lipstick's color can be."

After determining your undertone, "choose your shade of lipstick and test it on your lips, not your wrist," says makeup artist Tamara Boyd. "The natural color of your lips can change how the shade appears."

Cool Undertones

How to Identify

While we have a complete guide to figuring out your undertones, generally, your undertones are cool if your skin has a pink, red, or bluish hue. You can tell your undertone is cool if the veins in your wrist look blue or purple, if silver jewelry complements your skin best, or if your skin tends to burn in the sun before getting a tan.

The Best Shades to Try

The best lipsticks for cool undertones haveblue or purple undertones (not to be confused with an actual blue or purple lipstick, though that would be equally as stunning). For example, when going for a red lip, veer more toward deep bluish-reds (think cherry red) versus ones that lean more orange.

"For cool undertones, I suggest shades with depth—soft mauves, deep berries, or a pop of magenta that complements cooler skin tones beautifully," says pro makeup artist Manuel Espinoza.

For nude lips, you can enhance the natural flush of your lips with a rosy, pink nude, or opt for a taupey beige for a more subtle look. When in doubt, a tinted balm can adjust to your lip's color and suit a variety of looks (plus it'll hydrate, too).

Warm Undertones

How to Identify

You're warm-toned if you have a yellow, golden, or olive hue to your skin. You can usually tell your undertone is warm if the veins in your wrist appear more green (versus blue), if gold jewelry complements your skin best, or if you tend to tan easily.

The Best Shades to Try

"Warm undertones look great in warm lipstick shades. Think warm neutrals, strawberry reds, corals, and rich rose or raspberry tones," says Harris.

Bold oranges, brick reds, and terracotta browns can also be especially flattering. If you're going for a nude shade, a good rule of thumb is to correspond your skin tone with the lipstick shade. For instance, if your skin is light, go for a paler nude, while if your skin is deeper, go for a richer nude.

"I love reaching for sun-kissed shades like peachy nudes or bronze that enhance that natural glow," Espinoza adds.

Neutral Undertones

How to Identify

You have neutral undertones if you have a mix of pink and yellow in the base of your skin. You might be able to notice this if your veins look somewhere between blue and green or you find that you look good in both silver and gold jewelry.

The Best Shades to Try

According to Harris, neutral undertones have lots of options when it comes to choosing the right lipstick, as a wide spectrum of colors are complementary. If you're not sure where to start, consider complementing your overall skin tone: Try pink hues for fair skin, mauve shades for medium skin, and berry colors for deep skin.

"For neutral undertones, mauve, rose, and nude shades work best. These balanced tones complement both warm and cool undertones, making them perfect for neutral complexions," says Boyd.

"I love classic nudes, soft rosy pinks, and bold reds—these shades bring out the perfect balance of warmth and coolness in the skin," Espinoza adds.

The Final Takeaway

If you're having trouble finding the ideal lip shade for your skin tone, remember that your undertone will correspond with the shade you choose—cool undertones look best in cool lipsticks, warm undertones will look flattering in warm shades, and neutral undertones can go both ways. It's important to note that skin tone and undertone are two very different things. Skin tone refers to whether your skin is deep, medium, or light and can vary depending on the season and sun exposure, while undertone reflects the base of your skin. This means that the idea that fair skin can't be warm or deep skin can't be cool is a misconception.

Overall, while the above guidelines can help if you're not sure where to start, you should choose a lip color you feel the best in. If a coral shade evokes confidence in you but doesn’t align with the "rules," go ahead and rock it.