From blush to bold: mastering the art of pink lipstick

Your wife will love this article

Make-up influencers have been lying to all these past 15 years. Nude lipstick is not universally flattering, is not elegant, is not “old money”: it makes you look like a corpse, it’s tacky, and it’s cheap.

Since I’m here to lift your weekend mood, not kill it, I’ll tell you which is the one lipstick colour that, when in the right shade for your complexion, gives you a feminine, healthy, natural, elegant look: pink.

Our grandmothers knew this since forever. Pink lips are a statement. Whether you’re going for a natural, everyday look, or you want to feel sexy and playful, pink can bring the best of every facet of your personality.

Read on for tips on how to choose, apply, and wear pink lipstick to accentuate your natural beauty.

How to pick the perfect shade

To know your undertone, clench your fist and look at the veins on your wrist.

Cool undertone: if your veins appear blue and purple, then you have cool undertones. Brighter shades of pink with a blue base like bubble gum pink, fuchsia, or magenta, will work wonders on you.

Warm undertone: if your veins look green, you are warm. Peach pinks and corals will complement your skin for a warm, sun-kissed effect.

Neutral undertone: if your veins appear blue and green, your options are huge, from pastel pinks to create a gentle look, to deep pinks to create a nice contrast.

Olive undertone: if your veins appear teal and green, your best pinks will be those with a golden tone.

Now that you have your undertone, let’s move on to your skin colour.

Fair skin: opt for bright or deep pinks to avoid looking washed out, especially if you have dark hair. Rose pink is your all-round shade.

Medium skin: from watermelon pink to vibrant pink-reds, you can pull off a wide range of shades.

Dark skin: embrace vibrancy with a medium, gold satin pink or a deep berry; these colours will bring up the natural glow of your skin.

Pro application tips

Prepare your lips: exfoliate the lips to remove dead skin, then condition them with a lip balm: the lipstick will go on great and will last longer. Also, a protective lip balm will prevent drying and chapping if your lips are sun sensitive.

Use a lip liner: lip liner isn't just for detailing your lip line; it also helps prevent feathering. You don’t need one liner for each lipstick you own. The best lipliner is the one that matches the colour of your lips (mauve for fair and fair to medium skin tones, soft brown for medium to dark skin tones)

Baby steps: if you're a beginner with bold colours, go for a pink tinted lip balm or gloss, then slowly move onto more pigmented lipsticks. This way, you will get used to see colour on your face instead of feeling overwhelmed.

Makeup and clothing coordination

Balance your look: with bold pink lips, eye make-up needs to be minimal to avoid clashing. Think of a light blush, soft eyeshadow, and mascara. For softer pinks, do not be afraid to give your eyes a bit more focus, like bold liner, coloured eyeshadow, or a smoky eye for the evening.

Outfit matching: while a bold pink lipstick may be the focus of your makeup and requires subtle clothing, a soft tone pairs nicely with brighter or patterned clothes.

Confidence is key

Confidence impacts how you pull off any colour. Pink lipstick in particular just playful, yet feminine and sophisticated. Lipstick is not just about its colour; it says: "I'm here.”

Playing with colours is half the fun. Different occasions might call for different shades, from day to night, from casual to formal.

Why pink?

Versatility: pink can be as subtle or as bold as you want it to be, fitting for whatever mood or event.

Message: it expresses youth, femininity, or even boldness, given the shade and the way you wear it.

Healthy glow: pink lipstick helps to brighten your complexion. It whitens your teeth and helps to light up your eyes.

Pink lipstick is the powerhouse addition to your make-up arsenal: choose the right shade to complement your skin tone and undertone, get your lips ready, and, of course, make sure it coordinates with the rest of your make-up and outfit.

From finding that perfect everyday look to gearing up for a special event, the right pink will find its place in your makeup routine to celebrate your unique femininity with every swipe.