Orange may seem a bit intimidating or bold but its warm hue makes it a great lip colour no matter the season. In fact, there are quite a few ways to wear it. It’s the fastest way to up your game come Spring or Summer and go all pumpkin spice and golden rusty hues in the Fall. Thanks to its versatile undertones there’s a flattering lipstick shade for everyone and you don’t need to be a beauty guru or a professional to pull it off. Just think of it like an elevated nude or cooler red! Red is a classic year-round but if you’re bored and want to switch things up, nothing better than an orange shade from bright to subdued hues.
Luckily choosing the best shade doesn’t need to involve a whole lot of trial and error. Instead of blindly trying a bunch of shades, find a match based on your natural colouring. Just think of your skin’s undertone as well. For warm skin, red-based oranges complement the skin really well, and on fairer skin tones, both bright and coral hues work beautifully. To make things easier we’ve compiled an easy cheat list for the best orange lipsticks for each skin tone to get you started.
Keep reading to check out the best orange-toned lipsticks for each complexion:
1. Light Skin Tones
If you have light or fair skin you usually have a lot of pink tones. Your best choice is to stick with a light peach or coral shade to warm up your face. You can even experiment with muted blood orange shade or red-orange shades. We recommend the NYX Cosmetics, Butter Gloss in Orangesicle which is a brightened, medium orange with warm, red undertones.
2. Medium Skin Tones
Red-orange or deep peach shades can complement warm skin beautifully. You can even pull off more spicey neutral shades for every day. Why not be bold and try a tomato shade? The red will stand out and brighten up your complexion. Just keep in mind if you fall under cool undertones or warm and pick a lipstick with similar vibes. We recommended the Smashbox, Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick in Out Loud. This spicy terracotta neutral is fun but more subdued for daily wear and a multitude of occasions. The oils in the formula keep your lips conditioned and hydrated so they won’t feel dry or chapped throughout the day.
3. Olive Skin Tones
While olive skin can have a lot of warmth it can sometimes look sallow. We recommend reaching for an orange shade that packs a punch. Pick a rich orange like burnt orange/sienna or tangerine to get a more bronzed effect. These will give you the most flattering result. Try a shade like MAC Matte Lipstick in Lady Danger. It may seem more cherry-red than orange-red, however, when it’s swiped onto lips, the touches of tangerine shine through on olive skin tones.
4. Dark Skin Tones
There are so many orange lipstick shades that look stunning on dark and deep skin tones that you could literally pick anything your heart desires. Just avoid super light sheer shades that could wash you out and create an unflattering contrast. Try bright corals, vibrant red-orange, deep pumpkin hues or even electric shades. Since you can wear any shade you like why not be bold and try Maybelline’s SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Heroine. It is a stunning, fruity, orange colour that quite bright and vibrant. A true orange that’s going to stay put all day long even under your mask.
Did you fund these tips helpful? Let us know in the comments below.
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