Not every lipstick color works on every skin tone. The right shade elevates your whole look. The wrong shade washes you out or looks jarring.
These best lipstick colors by skin tone recommendations take the guesswork out. Find your skin tone, pick a color category, and go buy it.
Table
Fair/Cool Skin Tone
Fair/Warm Skin Tone
Medium/Olive Skin Tone
Medium/Warm Skin Tone
Deep/Cool Skin Tone
Deep/Warm Skin Tone
Lip Color Undertones Explained
Lipstick Formula Guide
Fair/Cool Skin Tone
Characteristics: Light skin, rosy or pink undertones, often redheads or blondes with cool tones
Best Colors:
Reds:
- True red (not orange-red)
- Burgundy
- Berry-red
- Blue-based reds
Pinks:
- Rose pink
- Mauve pink
- Cool pink (not warm peachy)
- Dusty rose
Purples:
- Mauve
- Plum
- Grape
- Lilac
Nudes:
- Pink-based nudes
- Rosy nudes
- Cool beiges
- Avoid: Warm peachy nudes
Avoid:
- Warm oranges
- Warm corals
- Warm peaches
- Warm browns
Best Products:
- MAC Ruby ($18)
- MAC Ravishing ($18)
- Maybelline Superstay Berry ($8)
- NARS Heat Wave ($30)
Fair/Warm Skin Tone
Characteristics: Light skin, warm or golden undertones, often honey-toned hair
Best Colors:
Reds:
- Warm red (slightly orange-toned)
- Coral-red
- Burnt orange
- Tomato red
Pinks:
- Coral pink
- Warm peach pink
- Salmon
- Apricot
Oranges:
- Coral
- Warm orange
- Peach-orange
- Burnt sienna
Nudes:
- Warm peachy nudes
- Warm beige
- Warm tan
- Warm bronze
Avoid:
- Cool pinks
- Cool reds
- Berry tones
- Cool nudes
Best Products:
- MAC Chili ($18)
- Maybelline Superstay Coral ($8)
- NARS Heat Wave ($30)
- Charlotte Tilbury Red Carpet Red ($34)
Medium/Olive Skin Tone
Characteristics: Medium depth, greenish or yellowish undertones, often Latin, Mediterranean, or Middle Eastern heritage
Best Colors:
Reds:
- Warm red
- True red
- Burgundy with warm undertones
- Deep wine red
Pinks:
- Warm rose
- Terracotta pink
- Warm mauve
- Dusty rose
Corals:
- Warm coral
- Terracotta
- Rust
- Burnt orange
Nudes:
- Warm beige
- Warm tan
- Warm bronze
- Warm caramel
Berries:
- Deep wine
- Plum with warm undertones
- Burgundy
Best Products:
- MAC Terracotta ($18)
- Maybelline Superstay Warm Spice ($8)
- NARS Scarlet Empress ($30)
- MAC Ruby ($18)
Medium/Warm Skin Tone
Characteristics: Medium depth, golden or warm undertones, often African American, Hispanic, or mixed heritage
Best Colors:
Reds:
- Warm red
- Orange-red
- Coral-red
- Deep wine
Oranges:
- Warm orange
- Coral
- Terracotta
- Burnt orange
Pinks:
- Warm coral pink
- Peach
- Salmon
- Warm mauve
Nudes:
- Warm tan
- Warm bronze
- Warm caramel
- Warm honey
Berries:
- Deep plum with warm undertones
- Burgundy
- Wine
Best Products:
- MAC Chili ($18)
- Maybelline Superstay Coral Spice ($8)
- NARS Heat Wave ($30)
- MAC Ruby ($18)
Deep/Cool Skin Tone
Characteristics: Deep/dark skin, cool or blue undertones, often African American with cool undertones
Best Colors:
Reds:
- True red
- Burgundy
- Deep wine
- Blue-based red
Pinks:
- Cool pink
- Mauve
- Rose
- Plum pink
Purples:
- Jewel-tone purple
- Plum
- Grape
- Eggplant
Nudes:
- Deep burgundy (as a nude)
- Deep plum (as a nude)
- Deep rose (as a nude)
- Avoid: Light nudes (too light on deep skin)
Metallics:
- Gold (warm)
- Copper (warm)
- Silver (cool)
- Bronze (warm)
Best Products:
- MAC Ruby ($18)
- MAC Sin ($18)
- Maybelline Superstay Deep Wine ($8)
- NARS Dragon Girl ($30)
Deep/Warm Skin Tone
Characteristics: Deep/dark skin, warm or golden undertones, often African American or Latin with warm undertones
Best Colors:
Reds:
- Warm red
- Orange-red
- Deep wine
- Burgundy
Oranges:
- Warm orange
- Coral
- Burnt orange
- Rust
Pinks:
- Warm coral pink
- Peach
- Salmon
- Warm mauve
Nudes:
- Deep warm bronze
- Deep warm caramel
- Deep warm honey
- Deep rust
Berries:
- Deep plum with warm undertones
- Deep wine
- Burgundy
Best Products:
- MAC Chili ($18)
- Maybelline Superstay Warm Spice ($8)
- NARS Heat Wave ($30)
- MAC Ruby ($18)
Lip Color Undertones Explained
Cool undertones:
- Look bluish or purple
- Have rosy or pink bases
- Examples: true red, burgundy, mauve, cool pink
Warm undertones:
- Look orange or golden
- Have warm or peachy bases
- Examples: coral-red, terracotta, peach, warm bronze
How to check undertones in lipstick:
- Swatch on your wrist or inner arm
- Does it look blue-based or orange-based?
- Does it look rosy or golden?
- Match to your skin’s undertone (not depth)
If your skin is cool, wear cool lipsticks. They harmonize with your natural coloring.
If your skin is warm, wear warm lipsticks. They complement your golden undertones.
Lipstick Formula Guide
Matte:
- Completely flat finish
- Long-lasting
- Can be drying
- Best for: Cool skin tones (mattes look less warm)
Satin:
- Slight sheen
- Balanced between matte and gloss
- Comfortable wear
- Best for: Most skin tones, most occasions
Gloss:
- Shiny, reflective finish
- Less long-lasting
- Feels light on lips
- Best for: Warm skin tones (gloss adds warmth)
Metallic:
- Shimmery, dimensional
- Statement-making
- Works on all skin tones if color is right
- Best for: Evening, special occasions
Cream:
- Opaque, creamy texture
- Moderate lasting power
- Comfortable, not drying
- Best for: All skin tones
Shopping Strategy
Budget lipsticks ($3-8):
- Maybelline Superstay
- Revlon ColorStay
- e.l.f. Liquid Metallic
- NYX Lip Lingerie
Mid-range lipsticks ($15-20):
- MAC
- NARS
- Sephora Collection
- Tarte
Luxury lipsticks ($28-40+):
- Charlotte Tilbury
- Tom Ford
- Bobbi Brown
Pro tip: Start with a budget option in the color family that matches your skin tone. If you love it, upgrade to a luxury brand.
Note
Best lipstick colors by skin tone work because color harmony is real. Your lipstick should complement your natural coloring, not fight it.
Identify your undertone (cool or warm). Pick a color from your category. Buy it. Wear it with confidence.
The right color will look obviously right. If it looks off, it’s the wrong undertone, swap it, don’t force it.
Your perfect lipstick is out there. This is how you find it.
Related Post:
Late Summer Nail Ideas: 10 Designs to Take You Into Fall
[…] Best Lipstick Colors by Skin Tone: Find Your Perfect Shade […]