How to Match Your Lipstick to Your Undertone for the Most Flattering Look
Quick answer: To match lipstick to your undertone, first work out whether your skin is warm (golden or peachy), cool (pink or rosy) or neutral. Warm undertones suit orange-based reds, coral, peachy nudes and brick; cool undertones suit blue-based reds, berry, plum and rosy pinks; and neutral undertones can wear most shades. A lip kit with a matching liner, lipstick and gloss, such as the Thin Lizzy Ultimate Pout Volumising Lip Kit, makes it easy to build a flattering shade.
Finding a lipstick you love isn't just about the colour in the tube. The same shade can look fresh and flattering on one person and slightly "off" on another, and the difference usually comes down to undertone. Once you know yours, choosing lipstick gets much easier, and the right shade can make your whole face look brighter and more awake.
What Is a Skin Undertone?
Your skin tone is the surface colour of your skin, from fair to deep. Your undertone is the subtle colour underneath, and it stays the same even if your skin tone changes. There are three main undertones:
- Warm: skin has golden, yellow or peachy hints.
- Cool: skin has pink, red or bluish hints.
- Neutral: a balance of warm and cool, without an obvious lean either way.
How Do I Find My Undertone?
- Check your veins: look at the inside of your wrist in natural light. Veins that look blue or purple suggest a cool undertone; greenish veins suggest a warm undertone; a mix suggests neutral.
- Try the jewellery test: if gold jewellery looks best against your skin, you're probably warm. If silver suits you more, you're probably cool. If both look good, you're likely neutral.
- Hold up white fabric: next to bright white, cool skin tends to look pinker, and warm skin looks more golden. If an off-white or cream looks better than bright white, you may be warm.
Best Lipstick Shades for Warm Undertones
- Reds: orange-based reds such as tomato, coral red and brick.
- Nudes: peachy nudes and warm beige.
- Pinks: coral pink and warm rose.
- Berries: warm berry and brick plum.
Best Lipstick Shades for Cool Undertones
- Reds: blue-based reds such as cherry and cranberry.
- Nudes: rosy, pinkish nudes.
- Pinks: soft rose and cool fuchsia.
- Berries: deep plum, wine and cool mauve.
Best Lipstick Shades for Neutral Undertones
Neutral undertones can wear most shades, from warm corals to cool berries. Classic true reds, dusty rose and mauve-nudes are especially flattering. Choose based on the look you want and the rest of your makeup.
Lipstick Tips for Mature Lips
As we get older, lips can become thinner, drier and less defined, and colour can bleed into fine lines around the mouth. Creamy, hydrating formulas look softer than very dry mattes. Medium shades usually look more flattering than very dark ones, which can make lips look smaller. A lip liner close to your lipstick shade helps define your lip line and keeps colour in place.
Our Picks
The Ultimate Pout Volumising Lip Kit
Best for: fuller-looking, defined lips with everything you need in one kit.
Each kit includes four long-wearing lip products: a lip liner, lipstick and highlighter with rich, creamy colour, plus a hydrating lip glaze with iridescent micro-particles for a luminous finish. Easy-to-follow instructions show you how to use them together. Some shades may be currently restocking, so check the product page for the colours available.
- Lip liner, lipstick, highlighter and lip glaze
- Richly pigmented, creamy texture
- Hydrating, luminous lip glaze
- Step-by-step instructions included
Lip Mask 3in1 Intense Hydration
Best for: dry lips and prepping before lipstick.
A moisturising lip balm with hyaluronic acid and mango butter extract. Use it overnight as a mask for softer, smoother lips by morning, or during the day for long-lasting moisture. The lightly pink-tinted formula gives a natural gloss finish without stickiness.
- Day balm or overnight mask
- With hyaluronic acid and mango butter
- Light pink tint, natural gloss
- Not sticky
How to Test and Apply Your Lipstick: Step by Step
- Hydrate first: smooth on a lip balm a few minutes before your lipstick, then blot away any excess.
- Test in daylight: try shades on your lips, not your hand, and check them near a window. Your fingertips are closer to your lip colour than the back of your hand.
- Line your lips: trace your natural lip line with a liner close to your lipstick shade, then lightly fill in your lips so the colour lasts.
- Apply from the centre out: press lipstick onto the centre of your lips first, then work outwards to the corners.
- Highlight: a touch of highlighter on your Cupid's bow helps your lips look more defined.
- Finish with gloss: dab a little gloss on the centre of your lips to catch the light.
- Balance your look: with a bold lip, keep your eyes soft, and the other way around.
For more ways to choose flattering colour, see our guides to the best blush shades for your skin tone, how to choose a foundation and makeup tips for your 50s.
What Customers Say
"This lip kit is amazing and looks amazing on. Love it."
Glenis W., verified customer (Ultimate Pout Lip Kit)
"This kit is really good love the effect it gives on your lips. The colours are very natural too."
Sally R., Thin Lizzy customer (Ultimate Pout Lip Kit)
"I use this at night before bed . I always used to wake with dry lips but not anymore. Love the scent and feel"
Alison C., verified customer (Lip Mask)
Read all Ultimate Pout Volumising Lip Kit reviews →
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a warm or cool undertone?
Look at your wrist veins in natural light (blue or purple suggests cool, green suggests warm) and compare how gold and silver jewellery look against your skin.
What lipstick colour suits everyone?
A rosy nude or a soft berry, one or two shades deeper than your natural lip colour, flatters most undertones.
Can I wear red lipstick with a warm undertone?
Yes. Choose an orange-based red such as tomato or brick rather than a blue-based cherry red.
How do I stop lipstick bleeding into fine lines?
Hydrate first, line your lips with a liner close to your lipstick shade, choose a creamy long-wearing formula and blot after the first layer.
Can I buy Thin Lizzy lip products in stores?
Yes. Thin Lizzy is available at Farmers, Life Pharmacy, Chemist Warehouse and Unichem stores across New Zealand. The range can vary by store, so the easiest way to get the full range, bundles and online deals is to shop online. See our FAQ page for stockist details.
Looking for a deal? Many of our best sellers are available in bundle offers from time to time. See our current Bundle Offers →
Final Thoughts
Matching lipstick to your undertone is the quickest way to make any shade look as if it was made for you. Work out whether you're warm, cool or neutral, start with a hydrated base and a matching liner, and your lips will look polished and flattering.
