okay so like

lipstick.

honestly.

it's wild how one little tube of color can change your whole face. like you can be in sweats with messy hair and zero makeup and just put on some lipstick and suddenly you look like a person who has their life together. it's weird but it works.

but picking one? ugh. so hard.

you walk into a store and there's a million colors. red, pink, brown, peach, berry, nude, coral. and they all look different on everyone. your best friend buys a shade and it looks amazing on her. you buy the exact same one and it looks totally different. and you're like what happened. but it's not the lipstick. it's just skin. everyone's skin is different. so it's gonna look different.

so let's figure this out.

first you gotta know your skin tone. fair, light, medium, tan, deep. basic stuff. and it changes. you're lighter in winter, darker in summer. so a lipstick you love in january might look a little different in july. just something to keep in mind.

how do you know what you are? couple ways.

look at your veins. blue or purple? probably cool. greenish? warm. can't tell? neutral.

jewelry test. gold looks better? warm. silver? cool. both? neutral.

these aren't exact science but they help.

also your natural lip color matters. some people have pink lips. some have brownish or mauve or peach. whatever's underneath affects how the lipstick looks. that's why the same shade looks different on different people.

okay so fair skin.

soft pinks, peaches, mauves, classic reds. for nude don't pick something that matches your skin exactly or you'll look washed out. go for something with a little pink or peach or rose.

light skin.

pinks, peaches, corals, roses, reds. soft rose or peachy nude for everyday. coral or classic red when you want more. if you're cool toned go for blue based reds and pinks. if warm go for warmer corals and orange reds. neutral can do both.

medium skin.

lots of options. rose, mauve, warm nude, terracotta, coral, berry, red. medium skin can handle stronger colors without them looking crazy. everyday try shades a bit deeper than your natural lip color. evening go for deeper reds, berries, warm browns.

tan skin.

warm nudes, caramel, terracotta, coral, brick red, berry, deeper pink. for nude get something with enough contrast so your lips don't disappear. very pale beige can look washed out. for statement go rich red, wine, berry.

deep skin.

rich berry, wine, plum, deep red, chocolate, caramel, rose, vibrant pink. for nude look for warmth and depth. a nude doesn't have to be pale. sometimes rich brown or warm caramel looks way more natural.

red lipstick.

classic. but not all reds are the same. blue based reds are cooler and crisp. orange based reds are warmer. neutral reds are in between. try different ones in natural light.

nude lipstick.

harder than it sounds honestly.

peach and coral.

warm shades. great for spring and summer. peach soft and fresh. coral brighter. if you're warm or neutral these feel harmonious. but cool toned people can wear them too if they want. no rules.

brown.

super popular now. light brown and caramel for everyday. medium brown for more defined. deep chocolate for dramatic. pairs well with neutral eye makeup.

berry and plum.

depth without being as intense as dark reds. plum for sophisticated evening. great in autumn and winter but you can wear them anytime.

finish matters too.

matte. little shine, sophisticated, can feel dry.

cream. comfortable, soft.

gloss. shiny, makes lips look fuller.

tinted balm. casual, low maintenance.

prep your lips before lipstick. if they're dry use balm. don't scrub aggressively. let balm absorb before applying matte so it doesn't look patchy.

lip liner. helps define edges and makes application cleaner. pick a shade close to your lipstick or a versatile neutral. outline your natural shape. blend toward the center so there's no obvious line.

want lipstick to last longer? prep lips. use liner. apply lipstick. blot gently. apply another light layer. but honestly eating and drinking will affect it. keeping it with you for touch ups is simplest.

test lipstick in natural light. store lighting is weird. look near a window or outside. see how it looks against your skin not just in the tube.

online swatches are helpful but not always accurate. screens, lighting, editing, lip pigmentation all affect how it looks. look at swatches on different skin tones. check return policy.

don't be afraid to experiment. if you've been told you can't wear a certain color try it anyway. beauty guidelines are helpful but not laws. you might discover a new favorite.

try different combinations. mix two lipsticks. add gloss. use liner. change finish. makeup is personal expression.

you don't need twenty lipsticks. a practical collection might be one everyday nude, one soft pink, one classic red, one deeper berry or plum, one tinted balm, one gloss. expand from there if you enjoy experimenting. choose shades that fit your lifestyle. no point having dramatic colors if you never wear them.

at the end of the day choosing lipstick gets easier once you understand your complexion and what you like. consider your skin tone and undertone. explore different color families. remember your natural lip color changes how everything looks.

don't get too hung up on rules. if you love a color and feel confident wearing it that's already a good reason to wear it. the best lipstick isn't necessarily what a beauty chart says is perfect for you. it's what makes you look in the mirror and think yes i love this.

experiment, have fun, find your favorites. beauty should be about expressing yourself not following restrictions.