Picking out a new lipstick from a crowded shelf often comes down to grabbing whichever appealing color catches the eye first. However, that exact same shade rarely looks identical on two different people. To clear up the confusion, Drishti Madnani, co-founder and beauty expert at Shryoan Cosmetics, points out that finding the ideal lipstick involves understanding your skin undertone rather than just looking at surface skin tone.
Understanding Skin Tone Versus Undertone
Many people confuse skin tone with undertone, but they are quite different. Skin tone is simply the visible color of your face, whether it is fair, wheatish, or dusky. On the other hand, the undertone is the natural hue lurking beneath the surface of your skin. You can easily figure out your undertone by taking a close look at the veins on your wrist. If your veins appear greenish, you belong to the warm undertone category. If those veins look blue or purple, your undertone is considered cool. Meanwhile, if you spot a mix of both green and blue in your veins, your undertone is likely neutral.
Best Shades For Fair Skin
The right color for fair skin depends entirely on what lies beneath the surface. If you have fair skin paired with a cool undertone, soft pink and mauve shades tend to work wonderfully. Conversely, warm undertones on fair skin look stunning when matched with peach, coral, and nude tones. According to Madnani, neutral undertones are quite common in India. The great thing about having a neutral undertone is that a wide variety of lipstick shades naturally suit you. If you ever feel confused about which shade to buy, picking a color that is one shade darker than your natural lip color remains a safe and reliable choice.
Embracing Bright Colors On Dusky Skin
There is a persistent myth that bright colors do not look good on dusky and deep skin tones. Madnani dismisses this notion entirely, calling it a complete misconception. Based on her professional experience, wearing the right bright shade can actually elevate a dusky complexion, making the entire face glow and instantly brightening your whole look.
Pro Tips For Lipstick Shopping
When trying out a new lipstick, people often swipe it across the back of their hand to check the color. Instead, experts recommend testing the shade on your fingertip or your lower lip. Furthermore, you should always check the color under natural daylight, because indoor lighting can easily distort how a shade actually looks.
Choosing Your Everyday Go-To Shade
No lipstick shade is inherently bad. The right shade is simply the one that harmonizes with your skin tone and undertone, makes you feel confident, and fits seamlessly into your daily routine instead of waiting around just for weddings and parties. Therefore, rather than sticking strictly to classic red or maroon, feel free to step out of your comfort zone and try a brand new shade.
