Maybelline SuperStay 24 Hour Conditioning Balm & Liquid Lipstick

There’s more pressure than ever to expertly apply cosmetics. Social media makes it seem as though everyone knows how to achieve perfectly plumped lips without ever having taken a makeup tutorial. In fact, most online makeup content comes from those who have more extreme makeup styles, possibly leading consumers to think everyone’s going bold with their cosmetics.

But there’s plenty of room for those who prefer to keep things more subtle. You can find lipsticks in a wide range of colors, going from neutrals to vibrant reds and everything in between. But the most important feature in a lipstick is whether it looks good with your skin tones. Not everyone can pull off all colors of lipstick. If you aren’t sure what lipstick colors look best on you, it might be worth it to schedule a makeover at your favorite beauty counter. An expert can help guide you to the best colors for you. Once you have that information, you can use it to shop for lipsticks on your own.

To get the best look for your skin color, first determine your skin tones. Then try options within that color family until you find the exact shade.

• Cool undertones: Those with cool undertones have a pink, red or blue hue to your skin. This skin type tends to sunburn easily. Look for rosy nude, pink nude or taupe-beige nudes. If you’re going for red lipstick, veer more toward cherry red.
• Warm undertones: Does your skin have a yellow, golden or olive hue? If so, you might be warm-toned. You’ll look great in warm lipstick shades like orange, bright red and terracotta brown.
• Neutral undertones: Neutral-toned skin has a pinkish-yellow undertone. If you have fair skin with pinkish-yellow undertones, you’ll look great in pink lipstick hues, and medium skin looks better in mauve shades. For darker skin colors with pinkish-yellow undertones, berry colors look best.

• Lipstick has a relatively long shelf life. A stick of lipstick can last for up to three years if stored in a cool, dark environment. Exposure to heat and light can affect its longevity.
• If you’re having trouble narrowing down the right color for your skin tones, you can find lipstick samplers that will let you try out different shades. This can also be a great way to change up your lipstick colors based on what you’re wearing.
• Some lipsticks can dry out the lips, but there are plenty of options that hydrate while they make you look great. Look for lipsticks with moisturizers like shea butter, Vitamin E and argan oil. These ingredients not only help keep your lips feeling great, but they also often ensure the lipstick goes on smoothly.
• There are many color options when it comes to lipstick. As you’re searching for a color that looks great with your skin tones, consider that you might sometimes be in the mood for something bolder, while other occasions will call for a more subdued tone. Make sure your cosmetics supply is stocked with both.
• Some prefer to layer their lipstick. Instead of a glossy or creamy lipstick, you might prefer a matte that you can pair with a gloss that gives it that extra shine.
• Lip liner is an important step in applying lipstick, particularly if you’re planning for all-day wear. If you opt for lip liner, make sure you master blending techniques so it doesn’t show as your lipstick starts to fade.
• If you’re vegan, look for lipsticks that promise to eliminate animal testing. Even those who aren’t vegan might prefer a lipstick that is labeled cruelty free for social consciousness reasons.
• If you like to take your lipstick everywhere with you, make sure you have a place to store it where it won’t be exposed to extreme heat.