It is a special feeling when a woman has found her perfect lipstick brand and color. The moment when you see yourself unexpectedly in the reflection of a window or in the mirror on the elevator and think: „Damn, this lipstick makes me feel good“ is a powerful one. In fact here at Mind the Beauty we don’t know any other accessory that has such an instant impact on our look and mood.
But let’s get to the point of this blog post which is really you and how to find the best lipstick for you. Let's start with the basics:
Color - Unveiling your perfect shade: A guide to discovering the best lipstick for your skin tone and undertones
First things first: Don’t get too stressed about colors. It is very likely that you are already wearing a shade that works well for you. It turns out that our personal preferences very often are harmonizing with our skin tone, eye and hair color. Most of us have a natural instinct for what works for us and what doesn’t. Also if you really love a color and it makes you happy wearing it - amazing, we are all for it!
But of course there are always ways to accentuate your natural beauty in the best way possible according to beauty stylists.
So let’s look at how they approach the topic.
Ideally start by understanding your skin tone – whether it's fair, light, medium or dark. Here are some indicators for you to evaluate:
Fair - This is the lightest range of skin tones. You probably burn easily, and have light or red hair.
Light - You are likely to tan in the summer. You most probably have warmer undertones.
Medium - You have a tan skin tone with warm golden or olive undertones.
Dark - The deepest range of skin tones.
Once you have determined your skin tone you can then have a look at what your undertone is. Select a garment that is entirely white or even a plain white sheet of paper. Go to the room with most natural daylight. Ideally on a bright day. Hold the piece of paper close to your face.
- If your complexion appears to have a pink or rosy tint when compared to the white item, you have cool undertones
- If your skin seems more yellowish, it indicates warm undertones
- You are neutral if you are a mixture between warm and cool
Here are some more clues:
Cool - Characterized by a bluish undertone to the skin. If you look at your wrist your veins appear blue or purple.
Warm - A golden or peach-colored undertone. If you look at your wrist your veins appear greenish.
Neutral - A neutral undertone is neither cool nor warm. For darker skin tones, a neutral undertone would have an olive tint. If you can't tell if your veins are blue or green, you probably have a neutral skin tone.
Ok lets try to put all of this to use: I for example have a light skin tone. My face will tan in the summer and I have dark brown hair.
When doing the white paper test I see a yellow/olive tone on my skin which indicates that I have a warm undertone.
Knowing this makes it easier to find a color family for my perfect lipstick shade.
Here’s a tip from popular stylist to celebrities, Pat McGrath, „pinks, nudes and cherry reds without brown and yellow undertones accentuate the porcelain radiance of your fair skin the best.“ Lucky me. I am already using a cherry red tone by Chanel for almost a decade. But let’s see what she recommends for all the other skin tones and undertones.
Warm undertones
Fair or light skin tone: Cherry red with blue undertones, coral, pale pink, or peachy nudes.
Medium skin tone: Try bright red, rose, mauve, corals, or berry. Also tangerine, orange-red, copper, or bronze could be amazing for you.
Dark skin tone: browns, copper, bronze, purples, caramel, plumb, or wine-colored lipsticks
Cool undertones
Fair or light skin tone: Raspberry, mocha, or nudes, especially
Medium skin tone: Wine-colored shades or cranberry
Dark skin tone: Metallic shades in ruby red or a deep wine shade
For all the lucky people who have neutral undertones, most colors will look good on you. You can just experiment a little and we encourage you to play with colors you wouldn’t naturally try out. Be bold and see if that works for you.
Identifying your level of color contrast
There is one more very helpful tool to finding your perfect lipstick shade which is identifying your level of color contrast.
It sounds quite complicated but all you have to do is to take some selfies and convert them to black-and-white, and see how much of a difference there is between your skin, hair, and features in terms of the level of contrast between light and dark shades.
For me there is a lot of contrast meaning I am seeing a stark difference between my hair and features and skin.
For people who are high-contrast, darker colors for decorative make-up and clothing that mimic the contrast between the skin and hair will balance the look. Think „Wednesday“ actress Jenna Ortega.
Again I seem to have done it right. Hooray. My high contrast red lips seem to be the right choice for me.
If you are looking at your black and white selfie and there is very little contrast between skin, hair, and feature colors it means you are low contrast. For you lighter pigments accentuate your features beautifully. A good example is Taylor Swift.
If you want to do some more research on the color topic check out the TikTok or Instagram account of Nathalia Eugenio Vaz. She is a certified image consultant and color analyst and does easy-to-understand reels, videos and even quizzes for her followers to find out all about their perfect colors.
Ingredients - Finding the best lipstick with natural ingredients for a stunning look without compromises
Embracing natural and innovative ingredients in lipsticks (as with any decorative cosmetic) has become a prominent trend in the beauty industry. It offers a harmonious blend of aesthetics and health-conscious choices.
Lipsticks crafted from natural ingredients like plant-based oils, waxes, and pigments not only make your lips look vibrant with color but also prioritize skin health and skin care.
Ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil provide hydration and nourishment, preventing the dryness often associated with traditional lipsticks. I remember the lipsticks I tried from my mum’s vanity table in the late 80s. I had to put on lip balm for days after my make-up adventures as the lipsticks back then would completely dry out the skin and make the lips go chapped. Today all good lipsticks do the exact opposite: They nurture the delicate skin with fantastic ingredients such as antioxidants and vitamins.
For beautiful colors, the use of natural pigments derived from fruits, vegetables, and minerals have shown brilliant results. This approach allows for a diverse range of shades while minimizing the presence of synthetic chemicals. We found that we don’t have to compromise when it comes to natural pigments vs. synthetic pigments. The color palette we have been working on with our clients doesn’t lack in any shade.
Opting for lipsticks with natural ingredients contributes to sustainable and eco-friendly beauty practices, reflecting a holistic approach to self-care which we believe is getting more and more important to woman all over the world.
Benefits - Long-lasting, hydrating, smudge-proof, nurturing
In our partnering laboratories in Italy we are constantly improving formulas by combining science and nature.
When it comes to lipstick we are particularly paying attention to long-lasting, smudge-free solutions that also nurture the lips.
Recently we worked together with a client who had a clear focus on ensuring longevity of her private label lipstick range. We suggested innovative binding agents that grip onto the lips, resisting smudging and fading throughout the day. Utilizing natural waxes like beeswax or carnauba wax enhance adherence without having to resort to synthetic alternatives.
The result? A fantastic private label lipstick range with compelling benefits.
Mind the Beauty expert tip - Your lip size and shape, Your hair and eye color, The look you want to achieve
Now we looked at your skin tone, undertones and potential color palettes. But of course you can take this whole venture even further by keeping in mind your lip size, your hair and eye color and the look you are trying to achieve.
Your lip size and shape
For example you can let your lip size guide your lipstick choices. Here are some recommendations stylists have for us when it comes to the shape of our lips:
Full Lips: If you have naturally full lips, you can experiment with a wide range of lipstick colors and finishes. Bold and bright shades can complement your lip volume, while matte lipsticks can add sophistication. However, you may want to avoid overly dark colors, as they can make your lips appear even fuller if that's not the look you're aiming for.
Thin Lips: For those with thinner lips, lighter and brighter lipstick shades can create the illusion of fullness. A lip liner can also help you to outline slightly fuller lips if that is the look you like.
Avoid dark and heavy colors: They usually make your lips look smaller. Glossy and shimmery finishes can add dimension and make your lips appear plumper.
Uneven Lips: If your lips have uneven shapes or sizes, lipliners can be a valuable tool here too. Use them to outline and correct the lip line, ensuring a more balanced appearance before applying lipstick.
Lipliner
Using a lipliner generally alongside lipstick has several advantages. It adds definition to the lips, preventing smudging and feathering while enhancing symmetry. Lipliners also boost lipstick longevity by creating a solid base that helps the color stay vibrant and in place throughout the day. Additionally, they enable lip reshaping and correction, allowing you to modify lip size or contour.
Your hair and eye color
When it comes to hair color we often see amazing looks when brunettes use deep reds and plums while blondes often look absolutely stunning when opting for nudes and peaches.
Redhead often have a pinkish undertone, so warm tones in decorative cosmetics are usually best. Shades of orange, gold, copper and brown which have yellow undertones can be ideal.
People with green eyes can make their eyes pop even more by trying cooler toned lipsticks in red, pink or violet.
People with brown eyes can experiment with a wide spectrum. They ideally pay more attention to their skin tone and choose what goes best for them. Blue eyed people can try warmer toned lipsticks like coral and orange shades.
The key is to find a balance between your lips, eyes, hair color and complexion. And that may sound a little intimidating but really all you have to do is to go and try it out. With lipstick you really have to put it on and see for yourself how it looks and how it makes you feel.
We often like to stay in our comfort zone when we have found something that works already but we do encourage you to try new shades too. Experiment with different colors and finishes to discover what works best for you. Be playful about it and who knows, you might end up with a new look you love.
The look you want to achieve
Talking about the look you are going for… Your choice of lipstick can significantly impact the overall style and mood of your makeup, allowing you to express yourself in various ways and adapt your look to different occasions. Here are a few examples:
Classic Red Lip: A classic red lipstick exudes timeless elegance and sophistication. It's perfect for achieving a glamorous and bold look, whether you're going for a vintage Hollywood glam or a modern twist on a timeless classic.
Natural Nude Lip: A nude lipstick creates a subtle and understated look, enhancing your natural lip color. This is ideal for achieving a minimalist and everyday appearance, allowing your other makeup features to take the spotlight.
Vibrant and Playful: Bright and bold lipstick shades like hot pink, electric coral, or neon orange can help you achieve a fun and play full look. These colors add a splash of excitement to your makeup and work well for parties or creative makeup looks.
Sultry and Smoky: Deep and dark lipstick shades such as plum, burgundy, or dark brown can create a sultry and mysterious vibe. Paired with smoky eye makeup, these lip colors are perfect for achieving a seductive and dramatic look.
Soft and Romantic: Soft, muted shades like rosy pinks, mauves, or dusty roses can give you a gentle and romantic appearance. These colors are often worn for date nights, weddings, or any occasion where you want to radiate a sweet and tender aura.
In the journey to discovering your perfect lipstick shade, remember to have fun and don’t be shy to ask the experts at the beauty store for assistance.