Finding the perfect lipstick for you is a balancing act between skin tone, hair color, and desire. Although you may crave the ruby red lips you saw on your favorite celebrity at the movie premiere, it may not be the right shade for you.Luckily, there are a few fundamental tips to get you going in the right direction down luscious lip lane.

• Matching Tones – Choose a lipstick which has color tones that are similar to your skin tone. Choosing a dark burgundy color when you have pale as snow skin will only cause your skin to take on a pallid veneer.
  • Pale: Keep your lipstick shades natural so you don’t wash yourself out. A shade with a light splash of neutral color will enhance your look. Try nudes and light corals, as well.
  • Medium: Light browns and sheer berry-colored lip shades are great for those with medium skin tones. For going out on the town, try red lipsticks with a cranberry base.
  • Dark: Brown shades look great on darker skin tones. If you want to go the red route, stick with darker shades, like burgundy.
     
• Size Matters – There is a wide variety of lipstick finishes on the market, from glossy to matte. If you have thinner lips, go for a maximizing lip gloss, as the shininess will make your lips appear plumper. If you have large lips, try a lipstick with a matte finish, as this has a minimizing effect.
   
• Situational – If you spend a lot of time in a more conservative office environment, and don’t have much time for touch-ups, a long-lasting subtle lipstick is the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you spend a good chunk of your day outdoors, make sure you find a great lipstick with SPF in it for sun protection. Analyze the type of situations in which you find yourself most days and pick a lip cover that matches it best.