After spending time contouring, highlighting, and enhancing the brows and lashes, a swipe of lipstick completes the look.
However, a beauty expert has emphasised the importance of selecting the right lipstick shade based on your skin’s undertone.
The perfect lipstick shade is determined by basic colour and light theory, but if a particular colour boosts your confidence, don’t hesitate to wear it.
Makeup artist Kerrin Jackson has revealed that the first step to finding the ideal shade is to consider your skin’s natural hues, whether warm, cool, or neutral.
She noted that “the most unflattering lipstick” shades for those with warm undertones are “neutrals or cool” as they can “appear ashy” and fail to enhance the complexion.
Warm skin tones tend to be golden, peachy, and yellow; veins often appear greener against the skin. Individuals who tan quickly, look good in gold jewellery, and have natural hair colours ranging from red, brown, or black to strawberry blonde are considered ‘warm’.
Eye colour is also an indicator of undertones, with brown, amber or hazel hues often linked to warmth. Women with a combination of these ‘warm’ features tend to look better in red, peach or orange-toned lipsticks.
Dark lipsticks, conversely, can “give the illusion of thinning your lips”, which doesn’t contribute to a youthful appearance, warned Kerrin.
People with cool undertones, also known as blue, red or pink, typically burn easily or tan slowly. They tend to suit silver jewellery and have hair colours ranging from brown and black to blonde.
Their eyes are usually blue, grey, or green, and the veins on their wrists appear blue. Kerrin advises those with cool undertones to avoid extreme lipstick colours like very light or dark shades.
“Light lipstick shades, such as skin tone shades…do nothing to enhance or bring warmth to your face,” she explained. The expert also warned that these tones can make you look “sickly and unwell.”
Women over 40 seeking to add a “glow or youthfulness” to their look should avoid these colours, as they are “a big no,” according to experts at She Finds. Cool undertones are complimented well by plum, light berry, and pink tones.
Those with neutral undertones, who tan slowly and don’t often burn in the sun, can wear gold and silver jewellery. The veins on their wrists can appear either green or blue.
Complexions that contain both cool and warm hues can pull off virtually any colour, but mauve, rose, and nude shades work best to bring out the best of both tones.
Shades aren’t the only thing to consider for those seeking a more youthful appearance through makeup. Lips get thinner as women age, collagen production decreases, and the muscles around the mouth lose their strength slightly.
But there are a few ways to give the appearance of plump lips. To make your lips appear fuller when applying lipstick, a lip primer will help to stop the product from bleeding above the lip line.
Applying concealer around the outer edge of the lips can also help them look less thin—remember to blend it in.
Combining two different lipstick shades—a slightly darker one on the outer edges and a lighter one in the centre- is a quick way to add depth and dimension to aged lips. Adding a little highlighter or gloss to the centre creates a fuller appearance.
