CHOOSE YOUR LIPSTICK SHADE

Painters past and present have made a pretty strong case – complementary colours are the most visually pleasing, creating good vibrations when paired. As in life, opposites attract. Though, that’s not to say your lip colour shouldn’t mirror your bold spirit. Matchmaking lipstick shades with your skin’s natural undertone (not to mention, your hair and even your wardrobe) creates gallery-worthy levels of impact. Just the ticket when you want to stand out to be heard. In short, undertones are the basis of flattering faces – no wonder makeup artists dub the face a canvas. For instance, purple and blue-toned lipsticks best complement cool undertones. So, do you have a cool, warm or neutral undertone? Forget skin colour, simply check the veins on the inside of your wrist – blue veins means cool, green equals warm, and if you can’t tell you’re neutral.
Discover the range
 

Yes, you’ve got a cool undertone but we know you’re also in possession of a warm heart. Whether you wear it on your sleeve or lips, expressing your mood through colour lets you have fun, or, for when you really mean business, make a statement. As your complexion is calling out for blue-tinged or deeper tone lipstick shades, consider purple lipstick your go-to. Case in point, Peptalk in Free Spirit or Be Heard. Looking for a pinker pout? Avoid the orange end of the spectrum and try out the more muted Live Loud or Doing Great Peptalk shades.

The warmer the undertone, the more daring you can go. Bold lips for your bold voice? Yes please! Your colour cheat sheet centres around orange, the founding hue of your lipstick wardrobe no matter your skin colour. You can then tailor from there – though remember, these rules are made for playing with depending on your mood, hair colour or outfits. Try a peach or coral lipstick like Sheer Touch in Pop or Peptalk in Your Terms and Life’s Peachy. Looking for something bolder? Try a vibrant orange or deep plum shade like Peptalk in Stay Strong or Think Big. Or swipe on a hit of metallic copper or bronze with Peptalk in Make Waves.

A neutral undertone is one that may be hard to spot or look like a mix of warm and cool undertones. You know what that means? You’ve got the perfect palette for experimentation. So, where to start? Play with shades that toe the line – your perfect red lipstick should be not too orange, not too blue. Dip into nude lipstick for more chic moments – look to Peptalk in the shades Good Day or Real You or Sheer Touch in Feel. If you’re a fan of the barely-there makeup look and want to find your most natural lipstick shades, there’s a secret we should let you in on. The perfect nude lipstick for you is the same colour as your nipples. Now that’s a fun way to find a lipstick shade!

Red lipstick. It’s a turbo-boost in a tube, a little slick of put-togetherness. Forget looking the part of the vixen, this is about looking like the best version of you. To do just that, keep the principles of skin’s undertones in mind and you’ll find the best red lipstick in your sights – whether crimson, pillar box or rose. Even the finish, texture and coverage of the colour will impact what makes it your most flattering red. Fancy a low-maintenance, everyday sheen? Try our Sheer Touch in Power for a juicy, plump pout with just a hint of colour. Or perhaps you want something a little stronger? Choose Peptalk in Think Big, Break Through or Be Heard for a demi-matte finish that can be built up for a more intense shade.

Testing, testing. This is your chance to find lipstick that works best for you. In-store testing is the best way to see if you suit and, naturally, like a lipstick shade. Good test practice makes sense when you think about it – when not applying directly to lips, look for where your skin most closely matches your bare lip colour. It could be the side of the hand or inside of the wrist, or even the pads of your fingertips. This will give you a good idea of how a lipstick will look before you take it home.