Beauty News

The power of the the pout

Be confident in creating luscious lips with Claudia Renford’s guide to lipstick shades that flatter your skin tone, both day and night.
A fair skin tone can wear both brights and lighter hues.

Fair

If you are fair, most colours stand out. New Zealand’s lipstick queen, Karen Murrell, suggests you go for light hues. “But in saying that, a bright red looks beautiful on fair skin!” she adds.

Day

Great options are dusky or candy pinks, a fresh soft peach, soft beige, or pink-based nudes.

Night

Coral red or red with a pink undertone creates a dramatic look.

Statement

A bright warm pink or classic red will pop on fair skin.

From left to right: Clinique Pop Lip Colour+Primer in Beige Pop $46, L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick in Pink Fever $24, Maybelline New York Colour Sensational Rebel Bloom lipstick in Coral Burst $20, Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy Lipstick in Dominant $59, Karen Murrell Lipstick in Sugar Rush $30.

Medium

“A medium skin tone suits most colours,” says Karen. So opt for a selection of shades on the colour wheel. If you’re a redhead, stay clear of pure pink shades, as these can wash you out.

A medium skin tone can wear most colours.

Day

Try pinky brown shades for an everyday colour, ensuring an equal mix of pink and brown.

Night

A rich, darker pink-brown or salmon pink shade can take a day look into night.

Statement

Try a deep plum or a scarlet red.

From left: Revlon Colourstay Ultimate Suede in High Heels $20.50, Karen Murrell Lipstick in Violet Mousse $30, Revlon Ultra in Petunia $26.50, Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy Lipstick in Infamous $59, ARTDECO Art Couture Lipstick in No.290 $32.

Olive

Karen warns those with olive skin can look washed out with really light brown colours. “Go for lipsticks with an orange tint as it will bring out the golden tones in your skin,” she suggests.

An olive skin tone works well with lipsticks that have an orange tint.

Day

Coral will get you through the day – try one with a brown base or peach undertone.

Night

Try a vivid red with orange tones or a poppy red.

Statement

Lipstick with a smoky texture with coral and orange undertones will be a showstopper.

From left: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Audacious $20.50, Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy Shine in Surreal Sun $59, Maybelline New York Color Sensational Rebel Bloom Lipstick in Rose Rush $20, L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick in Cocorico $24, Karen Murrell Lipstick in Lavender Laughter $30.

Dark

“Oh what fabulous skin! They can go the darkest of lip shades,” enthuses Karen. Avoid shades which are too light as they won’t show up on your lips.

Dark skin tones can wear the darkest of lipshades.

Day

A lip stain in red with burgundy or brown hues works well.

Night

Go for a deeper hue than the daytime lipstick, with a purple base for a dramatic look.

From left: L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche in Beige A Nu $24, Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain in Romantic $20.50, L’Oréal Colour Riche in Place Vendome $24, Karen Murrell Lipstick in Racy Rata $30 M.A.C Lipstick in Flowerscope $40.

Statement

A hot, blue-based red adds impact – as does a bright bold pink.

Words by: Claudia Renford

Photographs by: Bauer Studios (NZ), Getty Images

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