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Like reaching for your go-to sneakers and shades, falling into a makeup routine is pretty standard fare. Whether you opt for the same inky, long-wearing mascara every day or swipe on your favorite tried-and-true blush seven days a week, once we find a product we love, it’s easy to forget there’s more out there — and it can be a bit overwhelming to step outside of your cosmetics comfort zone. Lipstick is extra tricky, though. From countless colors to a ton of different formulas, it can be hard to find your ideal match. That’s where celebrity makeup artists Tracy Murphy and Tarryn Feldman come in.
Murphy and Feldman dished on how easy it can be to land on your perfect lipstick hue based on your skintone and hair color. Spoiler alert: Since you know your hair color and are obviously familiar with your own complexion, you totally got this.
Seven Brit + Co employees — each with varying skin and hair colors — rocked multiple shades from the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Vault ($375), so you can identify which colors look best with your personal vibe and discover new ones you never thought you could pull off. “I like breaking rules in makeup, and lip color is a great way to do that,” Murphy said. “Never before has makeup been so free, so I encourage people to try colors they normally wouldn’t. Blue lipstick is liberating.” Read on to see which shades our pro makeup artists recommend, but don’t be scared to mix things up and try something new.
deep SKIN WITH DARK HAIR
A range of nude colors, including a light sand color and rich brown, looks gorgeous on darker skin with pink undertones, as seen on Natasha, our community manager. But don’t be afraid to rock a super vampy color, either, as the contrast is straight-up stunning.
MEDIUM SKIN WITH LIGHT HAIR
Play with pinks, mauves, and plums if you identify with Lexy, our online class producer. These punchy hues brighten up your complexion and look gorg with fair skin and light hair.
BROWN SKIN WITH DARK HAIR
If you have a warm complexion like our executive creative officer, Anj, your skin pairs well with dusty roses and medium-to-deep browns. Don’t be afraid to play, though — lighter pinks will also look fab on you. “The contrast of a warm pink tone works perfectly if you have brown hair, brown eyes, and fabulous dark brows,” Feldman notes.
FAIR SKIN WITH DARK HAIR
Bring on the reds! If you’re fair-skinned with dark hair and cool undertones like me, rock a range of scarlet shades on your lips. Subtle reds, deep reds, and reds with pink undertones work best on you. From brick red to merlot, you can’t go wrong with a fresh spin on a classic color.
LIGHT SKIN WITH RED HAIR
Have gorgeous red hair and fair skin with pink undertones like our VP of marketing, Cecelia? Play up the scarlet tint in your hair and skin by reaching for a trendy taupe, rich red, or a fun coral shade — you can pull ’em all off. “Red on red is such a gorgeous color combination with Cecelia’s coloring,” Feldman explains. So go for it, ladies.
TAN SKIN WITH DARK HAIR
Salmon, raspberry, and sand hues are your jam and look great on you — and Lolly, our email marketing associate — 24/7. That said, don’t be weary of a deeper shade that adds a bit of unexpected sophistication to your look. “I love darker colors on my clients with warmer complexions,” Feldman told us. “I love a good maroon tone with Lolly’s coloring.”
OLIVE SKIN WITH MEDIUM-DARK HAIR
If you have similar skin to Marianne, our DIY kit designer, swipe on ruby, peach, and honey lipstick shades for guaranteed on-point selfies. Remember that you can always sport a natural style that’s just a couple of shades darker than your real lip color — no need to think twice about that choice.
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