How to choose a lipstick color

By Lookslate · Updated October 20, 2026

Choose a lipstick in two steps: match its depth to your skin depth, then let your undertone pick the family. Warm undertones suit coral, peach, brick and orange-reds; cool undertones suit blue-based reds, berry, mauve and rose; neutral undertones can wear most families. For a nude, pick a shade close to or slightly deeper than your natural lip color, not paler than your skin.

Step 1: match the depth to your skin

Fair skin: soft pink, peach, light rose and sheer berry. Very dark shades are striking but take more precise application.
Light skin: warm nude, soft coral, peach and rose.
Light-medium and medium skin: rose, terracotta, warm berry and brick.
Medium-tan and tan skin: brick, cinnamon, deep coral and berry.
Dark and deep skin: plum, deep berry, mahogany, brick red and wine. Pale pastels can look chalky.

These are starting points, not rules: any color can work when the depth and undertone are right. The skin tone guide has the full shade families for each depth.

Step 2: let your undertone pick the family

Warm (golden or peachy): coral, peach, orange-red, brick and warm browns.
Cool (pink or rosy): blue-based red, berry, mauve, fuchsia and cool rose.
Neutral: most families work; rose, true red and berry are easy choices.
Olive: terracotta, brick, rose-brown and berry.

If you are unsure of your undertone, the skin tone guide explains the vein, jewelry and white-fabric checks; olive undertones often read as neutral in them, so also notice whether your skin has a green-gray cast. Holding a lipstick against your bare lip in daylight is the fastest test of all.

Finding your nude

A nude should look like your lips, only better. Choose a shade close to your natural lip color or one shade deeper. A nude paler than your skin makes the mouth disappear and can look chalky; on deeper skin, look for nudes with caramel, brown or rose in them. A lip liner a shade deeper than the lipstick adds definition.

Finding your red

Cool undertones suit blue-based reds, such as cherry or crimson. Warm undertones suit orange-based reds, such as poppy or tomato red. Neutral undertones can wear a true red that is neither. Bright and deep reds both work on deeper skin.

Finishes

Matte: the most color and wear, but can look dry. Moisturize first.
Satin and cream: a soft sheen and more comfort; easy every day and flattering on mature lips.
Gloss and sheer: the lightest look; easy to apply without a mirror, but needs reapplying.

Applying it so it lasts

Smooth the lips with a balm and blot off the excess.
Line the lips with a liner that matches the lipstick (one shade deeper for a nude), then fill in lightly with the liner.
Apply the lipstick from the center outward; use a brush for dark or bright shades.
Blot with a tissue, then apply a second thin layer.

How this connects to Lookslate

Each Lookslate look has a set lip: a pink-nude in Soft Glam, a muted rose in Business, a glossy warm nude in Bronze Goddess, a rich rose in Evening Glam and a nude in Smokey Eyes and Eyeliner Focused. Your result tips suggest shade families for your skin and hair, not a specific lipstick; use the steps above to pick your version of the look's lip.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose a lipstick color for my skin tone?

Match the depth to your skin first: lighter, softer shades on fair skin and richer shades on deep skin. Then pick the family by undertone: coral and brick for warm, blue-based reds, berry and mauve for cool, and most families for neutral.

What is the best nude lipstick for me?

One close to your natural lip color or a shade deeper, not paler than your skin. On deeper skin, choose nudes with caramel, brown or rose in them.

Which red lipstick suits me?

Blue-based reds suit cool undertones, orange-based reds suit warm undertones, and a true red suits neutral undertones. Bright and deep reds both work on deeper skin.

How do I make lipstick last longer?

Smooth the lips with balm, line and fill them with a matching liner, apply the lipstick, blot with a tissue and add a second thin layer.

All faces shown are AI-generated fictional models, not real people.

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