Lipsticks Buying Guide

Lipstick  is a wonderful addition to a makeup bag. Whether you want to look carefree and fun or serious and sophisticated, a touch of lippy can give you the perfect pout. Be careful though: the wrong type of lipstick could leave you looking more clown-like than foxy vixen. It's important to consider both the finish and the colour of the lipstick. Also, many colours are considered seasonal. A reasonably pale person might be able to pull off deep red lips around the winter holidays, but once the summer sun hits, she's bound to look too vampire-like. Keeping this in mind, you can make sure to pick the right shade for yourself and be well on your way to a perfectly feminine pout.

How to Choose Lipstick

• The Occasion-- Consider the event and the maintenance level you are comfortable having that day. If it's a formal, special occasion, a matte  or stain  lipstick is what you'll need to get all dolled up. Less formal occasions are better paired with sheer  or creme  lip colour. These are low maintenance and perfect for everyday wear.
• The Colour-- This is by far the hardest criteria to master. It's important to find a colour that has undertones that match your skin tones, as well as choose a shade that compliments your undertones. Oh yeah, and it's a good idea to keep the season and time of day in mind. Darker, deeper colours work better at night and during the winter. There isn't any one perfect answer; it'll take a little experimenting to find your perfect shade. What do you do with all those wrong shades along the way? Try mixing the colours to come out with a more complimenting hue.
• The Quality-- Look for high quality lipsticks once you've found your perfect shade. Obviously it's okay to buy that super cheap lipstick at the store if you are still looking for your perfect colour. However, once your colour has been found, go for the quality brands. Lipstick usually lasts a reasonably long time, so invest a bit in your pout.

Lipstick Types

Creme  Rich color in a shiny, opaque formula usually in stick form to work alone or under a high-impact clear gloss. Some cremes are frosty with a hint of shimmer built in. The shinier the lipstick, the more your lips will pop, so watch out for the shimmer if you want to look natural. They are usually creamy and moisturizing so that your lips don't feel dry. Expect to reapply often though, as the oils in this type of lipstick decrease its longevity power on your lips.	Matte  These lipsticks are long-lasting on the lips and shine-free. Matte lipsticks are usually considered to be more formal, but a natural shade of matte lipstick might be just what you're looking for if you prefer natural looks. These lipsticks can dry out the lips a bit, so stock up on lip gloss too!	Sheer  Light and carefree, easy to apply translucent color usually comes as a liquid gloss in a tube or in stick form. It can be used over matte lipstick to add another dimension to the otherwise flat color or on its own. Perfect for teenagers who want to experiment with lip color or for ladies who like a relaxed makeup look. These won't last all day so you'll need to reapply. They are usually very moisturizing as well.	Stain  Create a natural-looking color with minimal application and maintenance. Stains come in liquid form and they can double as cheek stains. Should you not want to invest in a stain (even though they last longer than most lipsticks) you can fake a stain with a deep red or fuchsia lipstick. Simply apply as usual (preferably with a lip brush) and dab off the edges so that the impact only remains on the center of the lips.

Choosing a Lipstick Colour

Like we said earlier, this is the most difficult aspect of lipstick. Experiment by buying less expensive lipstick until you find your perfect shade. Most experts suggest that you use the natural undertones in your skin as a guideline when choosing a lipstick colour. Here are the basic concepts of undertones and lipstick explained for your convenience.

• Warm vs. Cool -- There are two types of skin tones: warm and cool. Typically, those with fair or pink skin will have "cool" undertones. Those with yellow, tan and olive skin will mostly have "warm" undertones. Lipsticks will also be cooler or warmer and they should be chosen to match your skin tone.

• If you have cool undertones: Wines, plums, pinks and violets are good choices.
• If you have warm undertones: Corals, nudes and browns are best.

• Lipstick Undertones -- If you test the lipstick before you buy it, there's a way to check for its undertones to see what effect it will have on your skin. By giving a slick of a tester on white paper (not your hand or your lips) you can see the lipstick for what it's worth.

• Red -- Red undertones are usually better on those with cool undertones in their skin. However, beware those with pink skin, as it can cause an increase in overall redness.
• Oranges/Yellows -- Perfect for balancing warm skin tones. Not recommended on very pale skin or those with cool tones as it will make you appear gray or ashen.
• Greens -- Green undertones, often paired with yellow, is ideal for those with olive skin or those with warm undertones in their skin.
• Blues -- These are notoriously dark and sultry, ideal for those with dark skin. Beware though that if they are on the grey side they can really enhance undereye circles.

Fixing Flaws

For adjusting any color keep around a few fixing tones that can help accentuate or tone down your pout.

• Gold : No, this is not to be worn on its own unless it's Halloween. Use it over darker colors to warm them up.
• Violet : Use it to help cool hues that are too bright or yellowish.
• White : Lighten any color with white.
• Black : Darken any shade with black.

Top Picks

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Lipcolour  This lipstick is a two-in-one formula. There are 24 different shades of bottom coat to choose from, and each shade also comes with a moisturizing top coat containing Vitamin E and Marine Collagen. The best part? This lipstick is transfer-proof, so don't worry about leaving any lipstick stains on glasses or cheeks of cute boys. It also comes with a really cool case with a built-in mirror!	YSL Beaute Yves Saint Laurent Lip Twins  This lipstick comes in 12 colour duos that contain two textures that can be used alone or layered. The formula (containing SPF 8, Colorshine pigment complex, Candelilla and raspberry waxes and anti-oxidant rich wild cranberry oil) glides on, leaving rich, saturated color in a single brushstroke while also nourishing, protecting, plumping and filling in lines.	Lancôme Color Fever Gloss Roses  This line currently has five shades that are perfect duplicates of the colour of roses. Want to add some romance to your lips? Try this super shimmery gloss that's perfect for the younger crowd.	CoverGirl TruShine Lipstick  This lipstick comes at a reasonable price and is perfect for experimenting to find your perfect shade!	M*A*C Cosmetics Viva Glam Lipstick  Try this upscale lipstick if you want to channel Hollywood glamour!

Related Guides

Lip Liners	Gloss	Stains	Plumpers	Lip Balms