The Right Shades for You

     Going all out is in this year. Let your beauty shine with the right lip color for you. Red lipstick has been in style, and continues to be hot this year. It's an elegant, sexy shade but it's important to pick the right shade of red to avoid looking like a clown. If choosing a red shade, make sure you tone down your other makeup and hide any redness in your complexion with a concealer.

     The right shade is based on your skin-tone and hair color. I'll list what shades work good with certain hair colors later, but here is one way to get an idea of your perfect shade. First, strip your lips of any balms or other lipsticks so your natural lip color shows. Then apply a red lipstick you like to only your top lip and look at the color against your bottom lip. The most flattering shade of red will be one to two shades darker than your natural lip color.

     People with brown to black hair with a warm complexion should choose shades of red with a brown base. Deep orange, golden red, and coral are good choices. Cool complexions with brown or black hair should choose darker reds like cherry red, plums, and burgundy.




   

     Blondes with a warm complexion can pull off coral red, orange red, and copper reds. Cool complexion blondes should choose reds with blue undertones like dusty rose, plum pink, and light reds. Blonde's can get the 1940's pinup girl and Marilyn Monroe look with a true red shade.




     Women with red hair and a warm complexion look best with orangey, brighter shades of red. Cool complexion redheads should choose blue toned reds or darker reds like plum, berry, or brick.

     Pink lipstick is another huge shade this year. It's new and unexpected. To try this fun, daring shade follow the same basic rules as picking red shades making sure it's right for your complexion.
     Fair/ pale complexions should choose sheer colors, beige pinks, mauve, light and nude, or pale rose. Light complexions look good with violet, magenta, or peachy pinks. Medium complexions can pull off almost any shade of pink ranging from deep pinks, pinkish-berries, caramel and brownish pinks, and wine-pinks.

   

 Olive complexions should avoid pinkish-reds if you have yellow undertones in your skin. Try dark pinks with shades of purple. Dark complexions should also stick with darker shades of pink and purples, avoiding light, pale pinks. The darker your skin it, the darker shade of pink you should choose.




     In general, many different shades of lipstick look good on different women. Pick a color based on your hair and skin.

     Brunettes can pull off a lot of shades. Pale skin brunettes look good with reds and corals or nude colors. Tan brunettes can get an even more sun kissed look with colors like deep apricot or peach with gloss. Darker skin brunettes shouldn't wear too bright of colors. Choose colors like plum, mauve, or rose.

 

       Black hair looks good with darker shades on any skin-tone. Lighter skin-tones can wear lighter colors, but dark colors look more classic. Nude lips look ok too, just add lip-gloss to create more shine.






     Ash blondes look good with rich wine colors like merlot. Lighter blondes look good with bright tones. Golden blondes should choose apricot, peach, and coral shades. Olive or tan skin blondes should look for muted colors like dark peach, light brown, and rust.






     Most redheads have fair skin. Choose a sheer rosy color in apricot or peach shades. Redheads can wear red lipstick as long as it's orange based.









     Once you've picked a color that works for you, make sure you apply it right. Follow these steps to get kissable looking lips that last longer:
1. Apply a lip balm or chap-stick. Then using a soft, clean toothbrush gently brush across lips to remove dead skin cells.
2. Apply a thin layer of foundation over your lips.
3. Apply a lip liner that matches either your lip color or exact shade of the lipstick you chose, sticking just outside the natural line of your lips. Then color in the rest of your lips with the liner.
4. Apply lipstick with a lip brush, blending it from the middle down to the corners of mouth.
5. Blot lips with a tissue, apply another coat and then blot again. Add a coat of sheer lip-gloss for extra shine.