Neutral lip colors are those versatile options you can easily wear from day to night, and brown lipstick makes no exception. It’s great for adding some drama to your night-time looks as well as for taking your daytime “no makeup” makeup look to a different level. However, to make brown lips work for you on every occasion, first of all you need to find the most ideal shades for your own skin tone and undertone.
Best Brown Lipstick Shades for Fair Skin Tones
Fair-skinned gals, you need to find a well-balanced shade of brown lipstick to avoid looking overly pale. That means that you can always go for a darker brown shade that will bring out your lips, as long as it’s not too similar to your own skin tone. Brown lipstick shades with orange or red undertones should be your best bet!
If you are fair-skinned with cool undertones, cooler brown lipstick shades will look amazing on you, such as purple-, berry- or blue-based browns. On the other hand, if you have a light skin tone with warm undertones, opt for pink-, peach- or red-based brown lipstick shades.
In case you’re struggling with an uneven skin tone, adding a BB cream to your beauty routine can help prep your pores perfectly. As for your choice of lippy, we’re talking Dose of Color’s Cork as a finely balanced example, although you can always go bolder with Edward Bess’s Wicked Game brown!
Best Brown Lipstick Shades for Olive Skin Tones
Ladies with that Mediterranean olive skin have so many options, your beauty shelves will soon be brimming with brown lipstick shades! However, mind the undertone of your skin, as too much bronze warmth can conflict with a green or red lipstick undertone. So, instead of a crimson-infused brown, opt for cooler, creamy shades for a dose of mystery.
In case you have a cool skin undertone blending with that olive warmth, then by all means, bring out the fiery browns and make your skin pop. Urban Decay in Ember and Charlotte Tilbury’s Birkin Brown would both make the cut.
Best Brown Lipstick Shades for Dark Skin Tones
Babes that boast dark skin, with so much coffee and caramel in your complexion, a gentle, subdued brown lipstick might be too subtle and downplay your game. Instead, you should definitely explore the vibrant crimson browns, the daring deep walnut, and of course, the absolutely vampy rosewood hues.
If your dark skin has cool undertones, consider trying berry- or blue-based brown lipstick shades, while those with warm undertones are safe to go for warmer brown lipstick colors, such as tan, coffee or pink-toned browns.
Depending on your undertone, you can mix your brown lips with a complementing brown lip liner to bring out the contrast further. Also consider adding a lighter hue in the inner center of your lips to get that plump effect. Rouge dArmani in 200 is a great example, so treat your chocolate lips with some toasty caramel!
Photos via @sonagasparian, Instagram
