Best lipstick for fair skin

The best lipstick for fair skin is a soft rosy pink that's one or two shades deeper than your natural lip color. It adds life without overpowering your face. Fair skin pairs beautifully with sheer pinks, rose nudes and soft berry tints for everyday, and you can go bold with clear reds and berries when you want impact. The trick is matching undertone: cool fair skin loves rose and raspberry, while warm fair skin looks better in peachy pinks and coral. For nudes, choose one with a little pink in it. Beige or brown nudes can wash out fair skin. For red, a cool blue-red is the classic match, and warm-leaning fair skin can wear a bright coral red beautifully.

Tips that actually help

• Line lips with a pencil close to your natural lip color for a crisp edge, especially with bold shades.
• For a softer look, tap lipstick on with your finger for a stained, just-bitten effect.
• Pick nudes with a touch of pink or peach, not beige. Your lips should look like lips, not concealer.
• Balance a bold lip with lighter eye makeup so your face doesn't feel crowded.

Go easy on: Very dark browns and deep burgundy can look stark on fair skin, and beige nudes can make you look washed out. If you love dark lipstick, try it as a blotted stain first.