As soon as the weather warms up, you’ll find me incorporating brown lipstick into my everyday fall makeup routine, and after years of collecting the shade, I have too many of them to count. From warm-toned hues to metallic lip colors and brown lip liners, this shade is much more versatile than meets the eye. And the best part? “All skin tones and undertones look great with this,” she says. casey spickardA professional makeup artist in New York City.
Here, we explain what to look for when shopping for brown lipstick, how to choose the right shade based on your undertones and preferences, and other makeup tips.
What to look for when shopping for brown lipstick?
The makeup artists we spoke to recommend looking for heavy pigments and long-wearing formulas. “I want something rich and ambiguous, with deep brown tones and a high pigment load (like the consistency of liquid lipstick). I want the color to be consistent and not patchy, which can happen with a lot of brown lipsticks,” says Spickard.
Brown lipsticks (or glosses) also come in a variety of finishes – matte, glossy, shiny or metallic. “It’s also good to note that light, nude browns will give you a more natural finish, while darker browns, especially those with a matte finish, will make a statement,” says. Brielle PolaraA professional makeup artist based in New Jersey.
Does undertone matter in brown lipstick?
Choosing a brown lipstick for you depends not on your skin but on the undertone of the lipstick. tim quinnA celebrity makeup artist and founder of a skin care manufacturer hello 42. He says, “Brown can be golden, peach, pink, red or mauve and that small change makes everything. I’m less interested in strict rules about who can wear which shade than in harmonizing with the skin, cheeks and eyes.” If brown makes you look dull or tired, try something a little pinker or warmer and see what happens.
How to choose brown lipstick for your color and style
Similar to finding products with the right color for your routine, finding the right brown lipstick means choosing a color that will work with your undertones. “A general rule of thumb is to choose a lipstick with a cooler tone if you have cool skin, blue undertones or fair skin, and a lipstick with a warmer tone if you have warm or olive undertones and darker skin,” says Spickard. You can also choose a brown lipstick depending on the vibe you’re going for, as a cool shade can make you feel nostalgic for the 90s, while a warm lipstick like chocolate brown can look more autumnal and rich.
professional makeup artist jonette williamson She also offers a tip if you’re new to wearing brown lipstick: “Choosing colors that can be worn more transparent versus full-on opaque may be a more comfortable place to start, which is why I always recommend Shiny Ultralip in Crest Because it’s easy to clean, or you can make it more opaque with a few layers – it also suits many colors.
how to apply brown lipstick
Although it entirely depends on your choice how you want to wear your brown lips, makeup artists have some ideas on how they will style the look. “When I wear brown lipstick, I like to pair super lashy, full mascara and separate lashes with toasty brown lashes and dark brown liner. I think a monochromatic look goes a long way with brown lipstick. Think toasty-girl fall,” says Spickard.