How to Find Your Perfect Lipstick Shade

You know that feeling. You're standing at a lipstick display and everything looks amazing under the store lights. You choose a shade. You buy it. You get home. And... it's just not right. Too orange. Too pale. Somehow making your teeth look yellow. Sound familiar?

Here's the thing. It's not that you have a bad taste. Lipstick color just isn't one-size-fits-all. A red that looks incredible on your friend can look completely off on you. If you've typed "how to find lipstick shade" into Google out of pure frustration, we get it. Let's fix that.

The short version is that it comes down to your undertone, your skin tone, and a little testing before you commit. Once you get the hang of it, picking lipstick stops feeling like a gamble. It actually gets fun.

Why the Right Lipstick Shade Actually Matters

A great shade doesn't just stay there looking nice. It brightens your whole face. It makes your smile pop. It can even make your skin look more even. The wrong shade does the opposite. It drags your complexion down. Makes you look tired. Even if the color itself is absolutely gorgeous on the shelf.

So this isn't really about the lipstick. It's more about how that lipstick reacts with your skin. Get that part right, and you'll stop buying colors you regret instantly.

Know Your Skin Undertone First

Before you fall for a red lipstick or a pink lipstick that you saw on Instagram, figure out your undertone. It's that subtle color under your skin. Unlike your tan, it doesn't change with the seasons.

Cool, Warm, or Neutral: Which One Are You?

Most people fall into one of three camps.

• Warm undertones: lean yellow, golden, or peachy. Tan easily? Gold jewelry your go-to? Probably warm.

• Cool undertones: lean pink, red, or blue. Burn before you tan? Reach for silver? Probably cool.

• Neutral undertones: are a mix. Can't tell which camp you're in? That's usually your answer. Lucky you, neutral pulls off almost anything.

Knowing this one thing saves so much guesswork.

Two Tests You Can Do Right Now

No fancy tools needed. Just a window and two minutes.

1. Vein test: Look at your wrist in natural light. Blue or purple veins? Cool. Greenish veins? Warm. A mix of both? Neutral.

2. Jewelry test: Hold silver and gold up to your skin. Whichever makes you look brighter wins. Do both look equally good? Neutral again.

Neither test is perfect alone. Try both. See if they agree.

Choosing Lipstick Based on the Skin Tone

Undertone tells you the temperature. Skin tone on the other hand, how light, medium, or deep you are, tells you how bold or soft to go.

Fair, Medium, or Deep? Here's What Usually Works

• Fair skin: soft pinks, rosy nudes, light corals. A blue-based red can be stunning too, especially if you're cool-toned.

• Medium skin: lots of room to play here. Rich pinks, warm browns, true reds. Even orange lipstick can look fantastic.

• Deep skin: this is where bold color really shines. Dark red lipstick, deep berries, vivid purples. They pop instead of washing out.

Think of these as a starting point. Not a rulebook. The real test? Swatch it on your actual lips.

Popular Lipstick Colors, One by On

Red and Dark Red Lipstick

Everyone asks about red. It's timeless. Cool-toned? Go blue-based. Warm-toned? Try a brick or orange-based red instead. It'll blend better. Dark red lipstick, think wine or oxblood, looks especially good on medium to deep skin tone. Instant drama, zero effort.

Pink Lipstick

Pink might be the most forgiving color out there. Cool, soft pinks flatter cool undertones. Warmer, peachier pinks suit warm undertones. And pink spans everything, from barely-there nude to loud fuchsia. Almost everyone finds their version.

Purple and Orange Lipstick

These are your statement shades. Purple, especially berry and plum tones, usually suits cool undertones the best. A soft mauve purple can work for warm undertones too. Orange lipstick is basically made for warm undertones. Looks especially good on medium to deep skin. Sun-kissed, instantly.

Whether you're drawn to classic red, everyday pink, or something louder like purple or orange, there's a shade out there that's genuinely yours. Explore lipstick shades for every skin tone and find the colors that work best for you. 

Don't Skip the Lip Liner

Nailed your lipstick shade? Your liner should follow the same logic. Match it to your lipstick, or go one shade deeper. That defines your lips without an obvious outline.

Bold red or dark red lipstick? A matching liner keeps it in place longer. Soft pink lipstick? A nude or soft pink liner keeps things natural. Purple or orange? A close match means no awkward ring once the color fades.

At Jo Beauty, our lip liners are already shade-matched to our most popular lipsticks. No eyeballing required. 

Before You Buy

• Swatch on your lips. Not your hand. They rarely match.

• Check it near a window. Store lighting lies.

• Give it a minute. Some formulas shift color as they set.

• Shopping online? Look for swatches on different skin tones, not just one model.

• Still unsure? Start close to your natural lip color. Build boldness from there.

Final Thoughts

Finding your shade isn't luck. It's actually understanding your undertone, being honest about your skin tone, and actually testing before you choose. Classic red, everyday pink, or something louder like purple or orange, there's a whole shade out there that's genuinely yours.

At Jo Beauty, we build our lipsticks and liners to work together. So putting your perfect lip look together shouldn't feel complicated. Come find the one that feels like you.