Lips That Make You Go MMM...A List of Some of My Top Lipstick Shades
There is nothing quite as feminine as a beautifully painted pout. I am a lipstick junkie through and through. As far as makeup goes, it is probably my favorite type of product. Aside from the eyes, I think lips are what people are drawn to most on the face. My mother Suzanne was a phenomenal makeup artist. I believe my love for lipstick came from her, as she never made up her face without the ever so important finishing touch, a beautiful shade of lipstick. My Mama was never one to shy away from color either, the bolder the better when it came to her kisser. Actually, come to think of it, I'm not sure I ever saw her wear a nude lip color. It was always red, bright pink, magenta, any bold color really. I always thought she was so glamorous.
My Mother Suzanne in a bright and bold Magenta Lip
As a makeup artist with almost 2 decades of experience myself, I find that most women tend to shy away from lipstick. I think this is mainly because it takes them away from "the norm" and into uncharted makeup territory...how terrifying! I assure you, it is not as scary as it seems. It will still be you under that gorgeous burgundy or bright red lip, just an amped-up more glam version of you. Yes, a bold lip will draw attention, but for a good reason! Do you think Marilyn Monroe or Rita Hayworth ever left the house without a little color on their lips? I think not! Indeed, finding the right shade of lipstick for your skin tone can be a daunting task, which is why I created this list. After working on every skin tone, lip type, and shape imaginable over the past twenty years, there are certain very special shades of lip color that I turn to again and again because they look stunning on everyone. Since it would take me the rest of my life to list every single lipstick that I love, I'm including a few shades in pink, red, and berry color palettes, with varying finishes here so you are sure to find one, or a few, to try out.
Don't get stuck in the same old makeup rut, spice things up! Makeup is supposed to be fun, so don't be shy. Stick those gorgeous lips out there and experiment with different colors and looks. You could just find your next signature lip color, one that complements and lights up your beautiful face, but you'll certainly never know unless you try.
The beautiful Rita Hayworth with her signature red lip
Playful Pinks
Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Prom Night $25 www.hudabeauty.com
This beautiful warm-toned biscuit pink shade by Huda Beauty is one of my all-time faves. I may wear this more often than any other lipstick. The pigment is supersaturated and stays in place all day and night long, as the name implies, it is most definitely bulletproof. This is the perfect youthful pop of pink without being too bright. It has a velvety smooth matte finish without any drying effect on your lips. Prom Night compliments all skin tones and transitions effortlessly from day to night.
Me wearing Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Prom Night, so soft and pretty.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk $34 www.charlottetilbury.com
This ultra-flattering dusty rose shade seriously works on EVERYONE! This lipstick has a satin-matte finish, not super matte. This is my go-to for clients who want a natural look. I would consider it a nude/neutral but with a little more pink. Great for everyday, pair it with the coordinating pillow talk lip liner or any nude liner.
Laura Geller Color Enriched Anti-Aging Lipstick in Pink Mink $21 www.laurageller.com
This is for all of my ladies concerned with lines on their lippies. I just had to include this pretty medium-toned warm rose lipstick on this list. I stumbled upon it years ago and I'm so glad I did. This is a total must-have in my Makeup Artist kit. The shade is so wearable and works on everyone. Those are actually my lips pictured above! It is the lipstick that I reach for most when working on clients who have dehydrated or deeper lined lips. This formula contains resveratrol and hyaluronic acid, both of which are anti-aging powerhouses. It's ultra-creamy and hydrating with a satin finish and really does fill in the lines for a noticeably plumper and more youthful-looking pout.
Jouer Long-Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in Blush $19 www.jouercosmetics.com
You might recognize this pretty pink pout from my article "Put on a Pretty Face". As a lover of mattes, this is the lipstick I choose to wear most often for my everyday look. This is a warm blush pink with an ultra-matte finish. This long-wear formula lasts all day and has antioxidants and vitamin E in it to condition your lips while you wear it.
Me wearing Jouer Long-Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipstick in Blush
Tom Ford Lip Color Lipstick in 03 Empire $55 www.sephora.com
Empire is a luxuriously creamy lipstick by Tom Ford. It is a gorgeous warm bright pink with a satin finish. This color is perfect for any day or night look when you want a little more color to your lips than a nude pink can provide. The tone works on every skin color and brings brightness to the face without being too bold.
Huda Beauty Demi Matte Cream Lipstick in Bonnie $20 www.hudabeauty.com
Ok girls, this lipstick is a real beauty. This falls somewhere in between a satin and glossy finish which is very unique and truly gorgeous. I'm not a huge gloss girl myself so I adore this finish. This soft light pink comes in the form of a liquid lipstick and is very easily applied. It adds just the right amount of color without being too light for a gorgeous soft-looking lip. Perfect for everyday wear. Bonus: this formula contains a bit of menthol to naturally plump your pout, so fab.
Patrick Ta Matte Suede Lipstick in She's Hard to Get $32 www.patrickta.com
Ok, I know what you're thinking...that is BRIGHT! Yes, yes it is. This is a relatively new shade for me but I love it so much I just had to include it here. She's Hard to Get, I adore the name, is a bright and bold medium-toned hot pink shade that has a matte, but not too matte finish. The blue base of this shade will brighten up your face and make your teeth appear whiter. Not for the faint of heart, this shade is for those who love a bold lip. It will work on all skin tones and is stunning paired with a floral print for day or a little black dress for night. This color will make your lips seductively juicy and alluring...if you dare.
Me wearing Patrick Ta She's Hard To Get lipstick...swoon.
Ravishing Reds
MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo $19 www.nordstrom.com
This gorgeous red shade by MAC makes me feel like a geisha every time I put it on. Besides the color itself, one thing I love about this lipstick is that it is a blue-based red which will automatically make your teeth look whiter when you apply it. The finish is undeniably matte but the formula is somewhat creamy. I like to use a brush to apply reds that come in traditional lipstick form. Pro tip: Use a small brush with concealer to crisp up the lines around the lips or to camouflage any little mess-ups.
Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Promotion Day $25 www.hudabeauty.com
I find this shade by Huda Beauty to be extremely wearable, as far as red lip color goes. It has a gorgeous ruby tone to it. This lipstick is not as bold as a classic or blue-red lip. It's toned down just enough to make it suitable for daytime looks. I wear this color quite often myself, the supersaturated pigments are so beautiful and rich and the finish is ultra-matte. I recommend this shade to my first time red wearing clients who are a little intimidated by a truly bright and bold red. I have to tell you, every one of them has loved it.
Hourglass Cosmetics Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick $28 www.hourglasscosmetics.com
Icon by Hourglass Cosmetics is what I consider to be a true red, one you'd equate with a Hollywood starlet. It runs the line straight in between a blue-red and an orange-red producing the perfect shade for all skin tones. I use this red the most on brides who opt for a red pout on their big day. This is a liquid formula with a matte finish. It will not transfer and is very long-wearing but due to the addition of conditioning ingredients, it will not dry out your lips. Great to wear day or night for a beautiful pop of color. Pair it with an LBD and heels for a night out on the town.
Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in 999 Matte $38 www.neimanmarcus.com
This classic red is Dior's signature shade and comes in a satin and matte finish. This warm-toned shade of red is just perfect anytime. I find that reds with warm undertones are a little more demure than their blue-based counterparts. This lipstick isn't a traditional long-wear formula, but it lasts hours before having to reapply. This is the perfect power red to wear to work during the day with a suit and heels.
Pat McGrath Labs Blitztrance Lipstick in Blood Rush $38 www.patmcgrath.com
Wowza! I just die over this stunning lipstick by world-renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath. This lipstick is so fun. It is a classic red with the addition of ultra-reflective copper pearls. I mean, come on! Not too shimmery, this creme formula will draw a little extra attention to your luscious lips. Great for parties or big events, or anytime you want to feel extra special.
Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani Matte Lipstick in 400 $38 www.giorgioarmanibeauty.com
This true crimson shade is the luxury makeup brand's signature red, also known as the "Armani Red". The perfect balance of warm and cool tones, it is perfection on every skin tone. I like the texture of this matte lipstick as it is not dry at all but delivers an authentic matte finish. One swipe will do you, as this formula is ultra-pigmented. I tend to use this shade a lot on my clients attending chic special events.
Huda Beauty Demi Matte Cream Lipstick in Boy Collector $20 www.hudabeauty.com
There is something so seductive about a red lip with just the right amount of sheen. You'll find this brand pop up quite often throughout my list of must-have lipsticks. I use these Huda Beauty lipsticks a lot because of the rich color payoff and beautiful finish. Depending on the shade, too glossy=no good. You want the right amount of reflection to bring a sultry vibe to your kisser and this formula does just that. It's a classic red, not too warm or too cool. Beautiful day or night. If you've never dared to wear a scarlet shade this will convert you into a red lip lover.
Beautiful Berries
Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color in Burnt Cherry $38 www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com
Although this shade is named "Burnt Cherry" I would say that it falls more in the realm of a muted plum. Gorgeous on all skin tones, this warm-toned berry is infused with intense powder pigments for a rich color payoff and an ultra-matte finish. Not too bold, this is a great berry to start off with if you've never donned a plum pout.
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey $20 www.nordstrom.com
I discovered this shade while I was working the Clinique Counter in a department store. I was 17 and in Esthetics school at the time. I was in the early stages of compiling my very first makeup artist kit. This juicy deep berry shade has been a favorite of mine ever since. A mix between a gloss and a lipstick, it has achieved a cult following over the years and for a good reason. This lipstick color is totally wearable both day and night and provides a sheer wash of plum to your pout. Great worn alone for day or layered over a darker shade of lipstick to provide sheen without being too lacquer-like.
Armani Beauty Rouge D'Armani Matte Lipstick in 600 Attitude $38 www.sephora.com
This luxurious matte lip shade by Armani is to die for. It falls in the darker of the berry range. It's a true plum through and through. I find that matte finishes are best when wearing a dark shade such as this one. Even though Attitude is a darker shade it has a beautiful vibrance to it that brings warmth to the face, thanks to the hint of violet it possesses. If you want to try a darker shade of lipstick that won't make you look goth, this is a great one.
Huda Beauty Demi Matte Cream Lipstick in Sheikha $20 www.hudabeauty.com
Oh...my...goodness! I am in love with this neutral medium toned berry shade. This is a super wearable long-wearing simply gorgeous shade that falls in the mauve spectrum of colors. Still a berry, but neutral enough for anyone to wear anytime. One of my absolute favorite berry shades, I opt for this one a lot, especially when working on clients who don't particularly like a pink lip. Try this one, you will LOVE it. It has a beautiful sheen to it as well that is not overpowering. Gorgeous any time of year, Sheikha is particularly beautiful as we transition from the brighter shades of Summer into more muted shades for Fall.
Tom Ford Lip Color in Bruised Plum $56 www.saksfifthavenue.com
Tom Ford's lipsticks are so luxurious. The colors and formulas are heavenly. This is a plum that will take you to the divine dark side of the berry hues. I love that this formula is buildable, which makes it completely customizable. It's like having multiple shades in one gorgeously gleaming tube. As pictured above, one layer will give you a translucent wash of plum that is just beautiful. Up the darkness and drama by applying multiple layers. The finish of this lipstick will give your lips a truly alluring luminosity.
Nars Lipstick in Shrinagar $26 www.sephora.com
I've used Nars lipsticks on my clients for over a decade. I like the smoothness of the product, it glides on effortlessly. I wanted to include this option in my list of berries because it serves as a great neutral. This shade has a gorgeous sheer metallic sheen to it, not a full-coverage lipstick you can definitely up the boldness by layering. This color is a medium muted mauve plum. I actually use it as a topper for other lipsticks to add a little shine and to layer on top of colors that need a little toning down.
I just had to end this article with the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe and her bold red lips!
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