Stop guessing – it’s time to let your undertones pick your perfect lip colour.
Learning how to pick the right lip colour means breaking down your skin’s undertone first. Once you know whether you’re cool, warm, or neutral, you’ll know exactly which lipsticks will complement your complexion – and how to use them to enhance your natural features.
In this guide, we’ll explain undertones, show you how to pick the right lip colour for your skin tone, and recommend the best lip products to help you find your signature shade.
What is my skin undertone?
Think of your undertone as the colour temperature running underneath your skin. There are three main types of undertones: cool, warm, and neutral.
Undertones are not the same as skin tones. While your skin tone can change depending on the season and sun exposure – your skin tone may naturally become a shade deeper during the summer months, for example – your undertone won’t change.
Figuring out your undertone is the first step in understanding how to pick the right lip colour, so read on – we’ve curated a few easy tricks to discover yours, below.
Cool undertone
You have a cool undertone if…
- You see mostly blue or purple veins on the inside of your arm
- You glow in silver jewellery
- Your skin tends to burn in the sun
Quick test: Hold a sheet of plain white paper next to your face. If your skin looks rosy or pink against it, you likely have a cool undertone.
Warm undertone
You have a warm undertone if…
- You see mostly green veins on the inside of your arm
- You know gold jewellery flatters you best
- Your skin tends to tan in the sun
Quick test: If your skin looks more golden or yellow against white paper, you have a warm undertone.
Neutral undertone
You have a neutral undertone if…
- You see a mix of green and blue veins
- You can pull off both gold and silver jewellery
- Your skin sometimes burns, sometimes tans
Quick test: Hold a sheet of white paper next to your face. If your complexion appears balanced and natural – not noticeably pink or yellow – you likely have a neutral undertone.
Best lipstick colours for cool undertones
Cool undertones shine with shades that complement the blue and pink tones in your skin.
The most flattering lipstick colours for cool undertones include:
- True pinks
- Blue-based reds
- Pinky or mauve nudes
For fair skin: the best lip colours for fair skin with cool undertones are nude pinks that can brighten your look while keeping things balanced. Our berry-tinted Smushy Matte Lip Balm in ‘Swipe Sesh’ delivers that fresh, natural flush for more hydrated, plumper-looking lips.
For brown and dark skin: deeper skin tones with a cool undertone can lean into softer pinks. To really play up dimension, pair a darker liner like our Line Loud Lip Pencil in ‘Goal Getter’ with a lighter wash of pink, like our Smushy Matte Lip Balm in shade ‘Sweet Smack’.
For olive skin: blue-based reds are among the best lip colours for olive skin. Try our Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain in ‘Red-y.Set.Wet’ – a bold candy red that flatters olive skin without overpowering.
Best lipstick colours for warm undertones
Warm undertones work beautifully with earthy, sun-kissed lip shades.
Some of the most flattering lipstick colours for warm undertones are:
- Orange-based reds
- Coral or peach pinks
- Warm browns
For brown and olive skin: the best lip colour for brown skin and olive tones are burnt oranges and cinnamon shades. Our Smushy Matte Lip Balm in ‘Soft Smile’ is a soft nude that plays up the warmth in your complexion with its salted caramel hues.
For fair skin: Peachy corals are always flattering on fair skin, while orange-based reds turn up the drama. Try our Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in ‘On Fuego’ for a fiery pop.
For dark skin tones: rich warm browns and spiced reds look incredible. Our Smushy Matte Lip Balm in ‘Sassy Stuff’ delivers a cosy, candy apple red that enhances deep skin while feeling soft and weightless on the lips.
Best lipstick colours for neutral undertones
Neutral undertones suit a wide variety of shades.
The best lipstick colours for neutral undertones include:
- Balanced reds
- Mid-tone nudes
- Rosy pinks
These shades work across all skin tones, from fair to deep – making neutral undertones the most versatile of the bunch. For daily wear, try our Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Stain in ‘Blush Rush’. For a bolder evening look, give our red-hot Suede Matte Lipstick in ‘Kitten Heels’ a go.
Because neutral undertones can rock both sides of the spectrum, it’s all about experimenting. Jump into our Virtual Try-On tool to see which shade feels the most like you, or put your undertone knowledge into action with our guide to the NYX Buttermelt collection.
