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Lipstick question..

Anonymous

Seeing how lovely Keturah looked in her red Laura Mercia lippy got me thinking of lipsticks. I never seem to have much luck choosing the right shade and have wasted so much on colours that are wrong for me.

The problem is you swipe them over the back of your hand to try out the colour (instead of lips, but obviously you cant do that in a store can you) and also in weird shop lighting. Then I get home put them on and the result is often too harsh, or dark etc. I'm a Soft Autumn colouring and with my lowish-contrast features and pale neutral, warmish skintone I struggle to get a shade that doesn't wear me instead of the other way around.

Have any of you bought lipsticks from colour analysis companies that sell make up for the different seasons i.e. Summer, Winter and so on?

Or do you know of any failsafe methods of buying a shade that suits?

TIA my friends.

Oh, and sorry to post and run. Will pop back after my beauty sleep

General

41 replies

Latest reply was from kerlyn

Sal

Veteran

I tend to try them on in store with a cotton bud. It is a wee bit hit and miss though. I have come to the conclusion I wear three colours 95% of the time:
- Soft pink sheer
- classic red
- rose/neutral pink with a slight brown tinge

I also have three or four others that get worn very very rarely. I am somewhere in the spring category I think so my specific recommendations will not be a lot of help.

Word Lily

Veteran

I think I start by knowing what colors/families I need. Still not foolproof because of the poor lighting at stores, though. I'm guessing you need shades with orangey or brown tones? And probably not too high contrast, at least not all the time. Or if you're somewhere with a knowledgeable staff, you could ask them? Looks like Sephora does what it calls "mini makeovers" for free. Then you'd be able to try it, and see, before plunking down cash.

Astrid

Veteran

Just wanted to commiserate, Diane. As you know I'm a Soft Summer and I haven't found a red that doesn't wear me yet. And it's not just the reds either. It usually feels to me like every color available in the store looks horribly painted on. I now have found one lipstick I really love, but it's a MLBB. I've given up on the rest. I hope you find something that works for you!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I buy inexpensive lipsticks like Burt's Bees or Alba Botanicals and then can try on new colors without too much waste. These are always very sheer however. A more solid shade that works for me is from Aveda. I also tend to stick with sheer pink/rose or a neutral pinky brownish color. I typically don't care for the look of a fake color on my lips (one that doesn't look like it could possibly be my real lip color I mean).

viva

Veteran

Sephora makes it easy to try in store, with alcohol to clean the lipstick and lots of tools for taking what you need to try on. The lighting is difficult though. I almost always think I have one thing and get home and it is something else.

For me, it's come down to two things: first, stay within a color range that works -- berries and wines work very well on me, so I am mostly trying new brands or formulas. Second, trial and error for new shades. Can be expensive and frustrating -- although you can return items to Sephora for any reason, which includes "I hate this color!"

My latest fave is Nars Audacious in Audrey, which is described as red currant. It's kind of a bright wine to me, and the formula is incredibly velvety and lasting. I recommend the formula, but you can't trust those on-screen colors, I assure you. (Unhelpful, sorry.)

Anonymous

I am a true autumn and tend to wear just a handful of lipsticks/glosses that I feel are flattering to my complexion:

Clinique Different Lipstick in Spiced Apple (a brownish red)
Buxom Full On Lip Cream in Bellini (sheer peach, but has been sold out forever, and I need to restock)
Nars Barbarella (peach/pink cream)
Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle (pinky brown)

Anonymous

I have good luck at the Chanel and Bobbi Brown counters, and both absolutely let you try the lipstick on and wear it around first. All clean, sanitary, and professional.

Anonymous

Sigh. If you only knew how many "near successes" I have had through time. I can say I have narrowed my color ranges down. Within those color ranges, I bring home two or three and try them in real life. I can usually tell within a couple of hours if it will work for me. What complicates my life even further is that lipstick seems to change color on me after a couple of hours so I have to wear them for a while to really see their effect. I either toss what doesn't work or give to friends. I didn't know about Sephora's policy

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Elle

Veteran

I always try them on in a store on my lips (they disinfect them, honest). If I like it in the store, I walk outside to look at myself because store lighting always seems distorting. Many times, I never walk back in. For me, Nars and Bobbie Brown colors work really well.

Trying in on my hands never seems to work for me either.

JayS

Veteran

For an everyday shade, you can roll your lower lip down and match your natural color there (the area behind your lips). Fool proof.

unfrumped

Veteran

I did see the swabs and things for trials in Sephora and if it can be wiped down I guess that would work. Trying samples is for sure a great way to go. My problem there is also that it's hard to try too many in a row because of trying to wipe colors off and still get a true read on the next color.
I emphathize because I keep trying new lipsticks I think just for the wrong reasons--somehow it will make things better! When I've come around to realizing I don't do very well with "real" color, but need only pinky-brown nudes that very slightly color my usually pale lips. I keep buying quite similar ones for that reason! I've tossed out all the really dramatic colors as looking too harsh and "old' on me. Current fave is Revlon Super Lustrous in Mink. I'm about to toss most everything else out.
It is true though that nighttime lighting can tolerate deeper shades than daylight, so I am thinking similar to kiwigal and texstyle, not same colors exactly, but "summer daylight nude" (the palest); indoor fluorescent lighting nude (a little more robust); date-night/restaurant/ballroom lighting deeper color. Not really matching outfit colors.

The other thing I noticed is that I don't like even a hint of "pearl" or mica-flecks or anything like that in the lipstick--it looks fakey and contrived on me. Even ones that don't seem to be, often have some kind of metallic-looking source of shine. Creamy or matte color only.

abc

Veteran

I think you should hit the shops, surely there is somewhere that lets you try them on before buying. Walk around a bit before purchasing to see how it changes based on the light, bc you are right, the lighting in stores is way different than normal sunlight.

Also, I would venture a guess that you need a more orangey color red than for example I would - I would need cooler, blue undertones bc of my coloring, but I think you are the opposite, you would need more warm tones based on your skin and hair coloring, if I am right.

Good luck and keep us posted. Lipstick is fun

ETA:
avettestingray mentioning a sheer coral made me think - WOW - that is what Diane needs! Think of how great you look in coral clothes, imagine that little pop of color on your lips. But sheer so it's not too heavy

MsMaven

Veteran

I'm similar to you, Diane. Even if I try the color on my lips in the store, I'm usually unhappy when I get home and look at it in more natural light. Either too soft or too harsh. When I find something that works, it is usually just a variation of my old lipstick color.

It has gotten harder as I've aged. I used to be able to wear most medium coral shades, but they aren't quite right any more.

JAileen

Veteran

I changed my go to lipstick when I went grey. There was a website that had the actual name and number of lipstick brands for different seasons. I couldn't find it, but this link might be helpful to you. BTW, I always thought I was Autumn, but now I'm not so sure. Grey is my new favorite color to wear, with blue a close second. I still like olive, since my eyes are kind of that color.

http://www.truth-is-beauty.com.....e-you.html

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I spent $15 on this list:
http://www.truth-is-beauty.com.....lists.html

And I got my favorite color off of it (Mauvy Night). It actually helped a lot by at least giving me a few starting points! Anyway, I would try something like peach or coral. I find like others that I find a few shades in general that work in each color (blue-reds, fuschia pinks, purply-pinks, etc.).

Aida

Veteran

Great advice already, so just wanted to mention that as a fellow warm-toned gal I find lip colors VERY difficult since it seems the bulk of them are cool-toned. I have yet to find a pink that suits me, minus a very cheerful (i.e. bright) candy colored shade which I don't wear too often I wear peaches, oranges, reds, and plums. I actually find coral to be rather challenging to match, and often get better results with a sheer orange or peach which uses my own lip color as the pink component.

Anonymous

I am a soft autumn and have found my HG lip colors.

I love the Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle and purchased a bunch because I use it a lot.

My next go to's are from Clinique. I love the lipshine in black honey. It is sheer, but light and compliments my complexion without overwhelming me. For a bit more color and coverage, I also use Clinique Butter Shine in Apple Brandy.

BTW, if I don't like a lipcolor after I buy it, I return it. I always ask the store's policy in regards to returns. That way I don't waste my money on something I won't use and the store knows that I will be a return customer.

Suzanne (ambergreen)

Veteran

Hi Diane--what Aida said. We even discussed this very issue at Ingefest last year since I too am warm-toned and yes, most lipsticks are blue-toned (and more lipstick wearers as well, I suppose). Since realizing I needed to go warm, I've had a lot more success. I wear oranges, rust/terra cotta, warm and orangy reds, and a few browny reds and nudes. Revlon Ravish Me Red could be a good one to try. MAC shops are also a good place to experiment. Just hand the samples to an SA and they'll clean them for you.

(Aida, what's your bright pink? I picked up MAC's La Vie en Rouge earlier this year, which is a bright, corally, warm, deep pink. Strangely enough, I don't really like true corals on me. Brownish pinks might work, though it's been a while since I've tried one.)

Keturah

Veteran

Diane, I didn't realize the red lippie inspired you as it did me!!

Just random rambling thoughts...

Try it on your lips, not your hand. And for that Sephora and department stores are awesome. When you can't do high end, buy your lippie from a drugstore or online company (Ulta is good too) with a good return policy and absolutely return it if it doesn't work for you. It seems wasteful, but I find it more wasteful to have it gathering dust in a pile of once-used lipsticks at the bottom of a drawer.

After I try it on, I take a couple of photos in bright, indirect light. It helps immensely. That's how I learned that a lot of the colors I had been wearing were wearing me. I purged most of my lipsticks this year after doing this. Seriously, I kept maybe 4-6 and that's it.

Go sheer. That Mercier red lippie is a her glace gloss. It's rather pigmented, but perhaps only 50-70% opacity. So still some wiggle room there. They two Glace shades h that would probably look fantastic on you, Blush and Bare Blush. Desert Rose is beautiful, maybe too deep??

http://www.lauramercier.com/li.....ngoing-_-l...

A makeup artist friend shared with me: you have to rock it to rock it. If you don't feel confident about a shade you won't wear it with confidence. So I remember that. Sometimes a shade is just okay, and that's okay as long as I'm okay with it.

If you want to try a seasonally coded makeup, look at Elea Blake. They have a lovely set of mineral makeup colors based on the seasons. https://www.eleablake.com

My only complaint is I once had one of their lipstick samples taste bade. It wasn't a lipstick taste, it was a bad mineral water taste. It's only happened once. (Their lippies are not flavored or scented.) I really like their blush and lipstick colors. In fact, I did their lip drape kit and came out a true winter. (At least, comparing selfies.) Sure enough, I tried on the True Winter color called Professor. It is the first fuchsia lipstick I've had on that my husband has kissed me in! Usually if it's a bright or intense shade he kind of does the "peck you as quickly and lightly as possible so I don't wear lipstick too." But he didn't do that at all! And the color is absolutely gorgeous on me.

Sorry this is so long!!! xoxo

Keturah

Veteran

this is an eyeshadow palette for Soft Autumn. It's really gorgeous, I think!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/211880357438559830/

janni

I've had great luck with choosing colors for my season. I'm a winter, so bright & bold for me! Maybe something with a brown tone since you're an Autumn?

Aida

Veteran

Ambergreen, it's an older shade from a couple years back: Revlon Colorburst “Sweet Tart” Lip Butter. TRULY a bubblegum/candy pink Just did a quick search and found this blog post, which is about how it looks on me as well. It's just the wee-est bit sheer so your own lip color will tint it a bit; the color doesn't stay put too well though, so I wouldn't recommend it for all-day wear. That MAC shade looks fun! I also don't like true corals on myself, definitely much happier in orange or red.

And a second to Keturah's suggestion to go sheer. My most favorite lip shades are all sheer! Except for my super saturated nighttime red ^^

Style Fan

Veteran

Some great advice here Diane. I am a warm autumn but that is with a 16 season analysis. I use pininterest and look at the boards for inspiration. I tend to stick to lipstick that is MLBB because I like a natural look.

The lipstick I wear the most is a Soft Autumn. It is Nars Dolce Vita. My favourite.

Gigi

Veteran

I have the same problem. The only way I was able to get some shades that worked was to have a makeup consultation and application lesson by a professional makeup artist (I had to buy $75 of makeup from the store to get the hour-long lesson for free). That got me one shade that worked. Then I went to my hair salon's spa, which recently started carrying makeup, and I asked for a consult, which was free. The gal there pinpointed three more shades for me, all of which worked. So my vote is for a professional makeup consultation.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh Diane I totally commiserate. I wish you had tried on some colors when we were at the LM counter! Otherwise I think the best advice if go to a counter where you can indeed try the color on your lip.

Jeweled

Veteran

When I'm looking at the lipsticks in the store, I pinch the tip of one of my fingers so that it turns reddish - and then look for the lipstick that most closely matches my "pinched finger red".

It may sound weird, but I've found my best lipstick colors this way!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

You've already got some great advice Di. Definitely try the lipstick on your lip...carry your own lipper brush if you need to. Bobbi Brown and Sephora are great

I think an orangey red or a sheer reddish-rosewood might look great on you. But I know, lipstick shopping isn't easy. You might have to take a friend or your mum along!

Anonymous

Eep! So sorry it took me so long to get back to this thread ladies. I was very naughty and posted just as I was about to go to bed!!

Wow! Thanks for all the wonderful information and insights. So much to take in.

Kiwigal..why didn't I think of a cottonwool bud! Slaps forehead!

Wordlily, Youre right, I need to sit down and think about the types of shades I feel happiest in and try to narrow it down.

Astrid...commiserations Thanks for your support. What's MLBB?

Texstyle, good idea. And perhaps I would suit a sheer better too.

Viva, sadly no Sephora in UK, but I'm wondering if I go to somewhere like Selfridges in Birmingham they might have a better service there with ways of trying out lipstick properly for me. I can see a train trip coming on.

Avettstingray, thanks for that list. I know you're a True, not Soft Autumn, but worth looking into.

Oh, thanks Lisa. I know where I can go to try Chanel and Bobbi Brown.

Thanks Sterling! Another vote for narrowing my colours down.

Elle, You mention Nars and Bobbi Brown too. I'm spotting a theme Will check out thank!

Thanks JayS, good idea.

A very wise reply as always thank you Unfrumped. You are right about different lighting situations requiring different strengths of lipstick. I need to ponder whether I want any pearly-ess or not too...

ABC, yes, a sheer coral sound fab!

Thanks for the empathy MsMaven

Great link, thanks JAileen! I think Soft Summer is close to Soft Autumn isn't it?. I wonder if us SA's would go more towards that when getting some grey hairs?

Ooh, Jeneva..another link to Truth is Beauty. I will definitely check that out. Thank you.

Aida. Of course..by using a sheer that lets your own lip colour blend with the lipstick makes sense when you say it like that. It enhances the colour. A sheer coral sounds good.

Lara, ooh, thanks! I see Revlon Pink Truffle is mentioned again. I really need to check out that shade. I'll explore your list.

Ambergreen, good to hear from you! I'll find out if there are any MAC shops in my nearest big city. Thanks, and I see Revlon mentioned again too

Thanks for chiming in Keturah! Ah, photos..yes! I need to try that. "you have to rock it to rock it. If you don't feel confident about a shade you won't wear it with confidence" Love that...I'll keep it in mind. I need a confidence boost Thanks for the LM recs too. Will check them out. Too funny about your husband and the fuschia lippy Oh, and thanks for the Pinterest link.

Yes, I think you are right Janni. I can wear browny tones.

Thanks for popping back Aida. Sheer is the way to go I think.

Thanks for the rec StyleFan.

Thanks Gigi. Perhaps I will treat myself. A full consultation would be lovely.

Jamie, I know I should have done when we were in John Lewis in London. Your LM lippy is lovely.

Ooh, nice tip, thanks Jeweled.

Thanks Manny. You just reminded me I need a new lip brush.

You've all been great ladies thanks a million. I will re-read the replies and write down the brands mentioned and check out the links too. I am on a mission now!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Lol....MLBB is My Lips But Better shade of lipstick. A nice match that is more or less nude-for-you.

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