The Lo Down: Pick your perfect lip shade

Here’s what you need to know when choosing the right lip colour.

1. Match your skin tone
It’s important to match the shade you choose to your skin tone. Find a colour that is one to two shades deeper than your natural lip colour. If you’re fair, opt for coral or dark reds that have a pink undertone. If you have olive skin, pink shades or brick reds will suit you best. For darker skin tone, choose reds with burgundy or brown tones. Remember that your hair colour also matters: the lighter it is; the brighter the colour on your lips will look.

2. Try before you buy
The colour on the packaging can often be misleading so make sure you try the colours out. For hygiene reasons, apply the colour onto your palm before dabbing some onto your lips and make sure you are in a well-lit area. If you’re trying on multiple shades, remove one lip colour with makeup remover or cream before applying the next shade.

3. Go for one or the other
Choose to either have dramatic lips or dramatic eyes; never both. When wearing a bold lip colour, opt for soft, neutral eye makeup. Also, avoid matching your lipstick too closely to your outfit – colour wise, this can be too overwhelming.

4. Play to your strengths
If you have thin lips, avoid dark colours. Lighter shades of creamy lip colour with a touch of lipgloss will add plumpness to your lips. Conversely, if you want to minimise the size of your lips, go for a bright, bold colour.

5. It’s all in the application
After applying your lippie, blot your lips on a tissue to remove excess colour that may smear. Another trick is to purse your lips, insert your index finger in your mouth, and slowly pull it out. This removes any colour that may otherwise find its way onto your teeth later – the biggest faux pas when it comes to the world of lip colour.

Leigh is a beauty and lifestyle blogger. Follow her on twitter @Le1ghLo or on her blog www.Le1ghLo.com.