Have you ever wondered why certain lipstick shades make you look radiant, while others leave you feeling a bit washed out? Or perhaps you've seen a shade on someone else and loved it, only to be disappointed when you try it on yourself and it doesn't quite look right?

That is simply because not everyone suits EVERY shade of lipstick!

With countless shades, brands, and finishes to choose from, finding the perfect lipstick can feel overwhelming. But on top of that, you also have to worry about if a shade will flatter you. Luckily, this blog post will be your guide!

Because I know the secret to unlocking the perfect pout lies in colour analysis, a system that helps identify which colours harmonise best with your natural colouring – your skin tone, hair colour, and eyes (find out more about it here).

In this blog post, we'll be using some celebrities as examples of the power of knowing the best colours for you.

Cool or warm toned

The first thing to think about is whether you suit a warm or cool-toned lipstick. This will make the biggest difference to how a lipstick looks on you. While some brands might label lipsticks as 'cool' or 'warm,' understanding your own colouring can be a more reliable guide.

When it comes to colour analysis, most people can be categorised into one of four seasons: Summer and Winter are cool seasons, while Spring and Autumn are warm seasons. We can use this as a guide to find the colours of lipsticks that will flatter us the most.

What we are aiming for is a lipstick which harmonises and compliments our natural colouring. Now, let's see how this translates into real life! We'll be looking at some celebrities to illustrate the power of cool and warm tones in lipstick selection

The diagram below shows cool lipsticks on the right and warm on the left.

Beyond Warm and Cool: The Nuances of Colour

While understanding cool and warm tones is a great starting point, colour analysis delves deeper to explore the impact of brightness, richness, and depth on lipstick selection. Let's break down these factors:

Brightness: This refers to how light or dark a colour is.
- Brights: These are high-intensity colours that stand out on the face. Think of a clear pink or a vibrant coral.Brights are often a good choice for Spring and Winter seasons, which can handle the boldness.
- Softs: Softer shades have less intensity and appear more muted. Soft pinks, mauves, and berries are good examples. Softer tones often work well for Summers and Autumns who might be overwhelmed by bright colours.
Richness: Richness refers to the amount of colour saturation. A rich lipstick has a lot of colour pigment, making it appear bold and intense. Think of a deep plum or a burgundy red. Rich colours are perfect for Winters who can rock the drama, while they might overpower softer seasons.
Depth: Depth refers to how light or dark a colour is, independent of its brightness. A deep colour is darker and more dramatic, while a shallow colour is lighter and airier.
- Deep Colours: Think of deep reds, browns, or berry shades. Deep colours are a natural fit for Autumns who have a darker colour palette and can be flattering for Winters as well.
- Shallow Colours: These are lighter and more delicate shades like baby pinks or peaches. Shallow colours work well for Springs and Summers who tend to have lighter features.

Putting it All Together

By combining the knowledge of cool/warm tones with brightness, richness, and depth, you can create a much more personalized lipstick palette based on your colour analysis season.

For example, a cool summer might look stunning in a soft, cool pink lipstick, while a warm autumn would shine in a deep, warm brown shade.

Celebrity examples

Celebrities aren't always the perfect example because they have a secret weapon – a team of talented makeup artists! These experts know all about colour analysis and can work magic, even with a lipstick that might not be their ideal match. But here's the interesting thing: even with professional help, the right lipstick shade makes a clear difference.

If we can see this impact on celebrities, imagine the transformation it can bring to your own makeup routine! Let's take a look at a few examples to see how it plays out.

In all of the below photos the celebs are wearing their colour season on the left hand pictures and not on the right.

Cool toned Celebrities

A pale cool pink

A cool hot pink

A warm beige

A warm Coral

Cool toned celebs, like summer beauties such as Reese Witherspoon, tend to look phenomenal in lipsticks with cool undertones. Think soft pinks, rose colours, and berries. These shades complement their cool complexion and make their features pop. On the other hand, warm-toned lipsticks like coral can sometimes clash with a summer's cool complexion,as we saw with Reese. While she can certainly pull it off with her star power, the coral shade can sometimes overpower her natural colouring and make the lipstick the centre of attention, rather than enhancing her beautiful features.

A cool true red

A cool mauve

A warm peach

A pale pink

Now, let's look at a winter celeb like Anna Hathaway. Winters have cool undertones but with a deeper, richer skin tone and dark hair and eyes. Bold colours are their playground! Deep reds, mauves, and even purples with cool undertones will make Anna's features stand out. A warm-toned lipstick, however, looks a bit dull against her cool complexion, and she can look washed out wearing a more nude coloured lipstick.

Warm toned celebrities

A warm red

A warm peach

A cool bright pink

A cool pale pink

Moving on to warm tones, let's talk about spring! Celebrities like Blake Lively with their golden hair, peachy skin, and light eyes. Springs will shine in lipsticks that echo their bright warm colouring. Peachy nudes, corals, and soft golden browns are all perfect choices. A cool-toned pink, on the other hand, might make Blake look a bit washed out.

A warm rich berry red

A warm taupe

A bright pink

A cool pink

Finally, we have autumn! Think of celebrities like Jessica Alba with her warm olive skin, rich brown hair, and hazel eyes. Autumns have a warm, golden undertone and look incredible in colours that reflect that warmth. Terracotta, brick reds, and golden browns are all flattering choices. A cool-toned hot pink or berry lipstick, however, might be a bit too harsh against Jessica's warm complexion.

Choosing a lipstick for you?

So when it's so obvious that getting the right lipstick shade makes such a difference, where on earth do you start to find a great lipstick?

Well, the good news is that I've created an amazing Lipstick Guide to help you find the perfect lipstick based on your colouring! In my lipstick guide, you'll find a whole range of recommendations based on colour analysis, including some perfect picks for summers. If you're not sure of your colour season, the guide walks you through how to think about it.

FIND YOUR PERFECT LIPSTICK SHADE HERE

Understanding your colour analysis is a powerful tool when it comes to makeup. By choosing lipsticks that complement your natural colouring, you can create a look that feels effortless and enhances your inner beauty.

Ready to find your perfect pout? Let's discover the lipstick colours that were made to flatter you!

Understanding your colour analysis is a powerful tool when it comes to makeup. By choosing lipsticks that complement your natural colouring, you can create a look that feels effortless and enhances your inner beauty.

Ready to find your perfect pout? Let's discover the lipstick colours that were made to flatter you!

Click here to learn more about the Joyfully Dressed membership and discover if it's the right fit for you!