Best Blue Red Lipstick for Your Skin Tone
So, what exactly is a blue-red lipstick? Simply put, it is a red shade with a blue hue base color. In other words, it is a red lipstick with cool undertones. Think of that Marilyn...
Lipstick Colors for Cool Skin Tones
Let's talk about lipstick colors for those with cool skin tones. It can be hard to choose the right lipstick color that will complement your complexion when shopping without being able to try them on. This guide will hopefully make it easier when shopping for your next Red Apple Lipstick lip color.
redWhat is the difference between skin tone and undertone?
Your skin tone is basically your surface skin color of which there are 3 categories, Fair/Light, Medium, and Dark. Your skin’s undertone is the color tone underneath your skin, people with cool skin tones have cool undertones- bluish, red, or pink tones to their skin.
Do I Have A Cool Skin Tone?
The easiest way to figure out your undertone is by looking at the color of your veins on the inside of your wrist, those with cool undertones will have veins that appear blue or purple. They also look better with silver jewelry rather than gold.
What are the best colors for cool skin tones?
The best colors for cool undertones are lipsticks (or clothes!) that also have cool undertones. Keep reading to find out what are the best colors for each skin tone as well as some great RAL lipstick suggestions.
Check out the color wheel below to see in general which colors are considered warm and cool. Keep in mind that with lipsticks (and certain shades of clothing) there can be undertones to a color. Such as a "Blue based red lipstick" which takes a technically warm base color of red and shifts it into a cool color with the blue undertones as you can see below.
How To Find The Best Lipstick Colors For Cool Skin Tones
In the sections below we're going to separate lipsticks into their basic color categories: pink, red, nude, berry. We won't be covering brown or corals/oranges - because those are lipstick colors for warm skin tones typically.
Within each lipstick color category, we will break down the best shades (and why) for each skin tone (meaning light, medium, and deep/dark). So scroll to the shade of lipstick you're wanting to try, find your skin tone and take a look.
At Red Apple we believe that if you feel fabulous in a lipstick then it doesn't matter if it fits any color theory rules, and you are always free to wear whatever makes you happy and confident. These suggestions are for anyone who want the guidance and to know with certainty what's going to look stellar on them!
Best Pink Lipsticks For Cool Skin Tones
In general, cool skin tones will look great with pink shades that have cool undertones such as blue-toned pinks and lavender.
Lighter skin tones look the best with lighter, softer shades of pinks. Avoid pinks that are too dark and bold that could end up looking too harsh. Look for shades with blue and purple undertones- rosy pinks, magentas, and lavenders for example. Some great RAL lipstick options for lighter cool skin tones are:
Audrey - this lipstick color works pretty much on any skin tone and undertone so this one is a go-to. It’s a soft, neutral pink lipstick shade that is elegant and timeless.
Melissa is wearing Audrey by Red Apple Lipstick
Mabel- a beautiful mauve, rose pink. This is a slightly cool-toned pink that works perfectly for cool undertones and neutral undertones.
Melissa is wearing Mabel by Red Apple Lipstick
Maven Mauve- a blend between dusty rose and mauve, ideal for cool undertones and great for neutral tones.
Melissa is wearing Maven Mauve by Red Apple Lipstick
Oh My Guava- nude-pink shade with less brown and more pink undertones. Great for almost any skin tone, but very flattering on cool undertones.
Melissa is wearing Oh My Guava by Red Apple Lipstick
Secrets- cool-toned pink with a deep golden shimmer. This creamy and smooth lipstick shade is great to help make the lips appear fuller.
Melissa is wearing Secrets by Red Apple Lipstick
Medium skin tones can pull off almost any color of pink, but avoid very light shades of pink. If you have a cooler complexion look for those pinks with blue and purple undertones. Raspberries and hot pinks tend to be very flattering on medium skin tones. These are some great lipstick color options for cool medium skin tones:
Audrey- a soft, neutral pink lipstick shade that is elegant and timeless. Works great on any skin tone and undertone.
Andrea is wearing Audrey by Red Apple Lipstick
Hibiscus - a deep, berry pink with a hint of red to it, this is a true raspberry color. Wear it bold or simply as a stain, perfect for those with cool as well as neutral undertones.
This is Hibiscus by Red Apple Lipstick
Kissimmee- a perfectly balanced pink and red color. It’s creamy and applies smoothly, a full-coverage color that gives you a bright and juicy pout. This one is perfect for cool undertones.
Ashley is wearing Kissimmee by Red Apple Lipstick
Mabel- a beautiful mauve, rose pink. This is a slightly cool-toned pink that works perfectly for cool undertones.
Featured here is Mabel by Red Apple Lipstick
Maven Mauve- a blend between dusty rose and mauve, ideal for cool undertones.
Featured here is Maven Mauve by Red Apple Lipstick
Oh Snapdragon- soft blossom pink with cool undertones of lavender, a colorful yet soft full-coverage color.
Andrea is wearing Oh Snapdragon by Red Apple Lipstick
Secrets- cool-toned pink with a deep golden shimmer. This lipstick shade is great to help make the lips appear fuller.
Featured here is Secrets by Red Apple Lipstick
Darker skin tones usually look best with deeper and bolder shades of pinks. Look for pinks with purple undertones such as fuchsias as well as blue-toned hot pinks. These two RAL lipsticks will make lips pop on darker skin tones:
Hibiscus- a deep, berry pink with a hint of red to it, this is a true raspberry color. Wear it bold or simply as a stain.
Fran is wearing Hibiscus by Red Apple Lipstick
Oh Snapdragon- this is a soft blossom pink with cool undertones of lavender.
Featured here is Oh Snapdragon by Red Apple Lipstick
Best Red Lipsticks For Cool Skintones
Cool-toned or blue based red lipsticks will look the best on those with cooler complexions.
Light skin tones look amazing with blue-toned red lipsticks since they brighten the complexion as well as make the teeth look whiter. Burgundy-reds are also a good option to make the lips pop. These two RAL lipsticks look absolutely beautiful on lighter skin tones:
Red Apple Red- a classic signature red, light and bright with a slight pink undertone. This glamorous red is super comfortable on the lips being a creamy and moisturizing formula, perfect for all-day wear. Wear it bold for an attention-grabbing red lip or you can apply it softer as a subtle stain.
Jordan is wearing Red Apple Red by Red Apple lipstick
Rebel- a gorgeous deep and sultry blue red shade, the classic retro red lipstick. It has a beautiful satin finish that gives the lips a healthy-looking shine. If you are looking for a matte finish though, simply blot once after applying and this will remove the shine and give it a matte finish.
Melissa is wearing Rebel by Red Apple Lipstick
Medium skin tones can wear any shade of cool-toned reds, whether their deeper colors or brighter ones. Look for red lipsticks with blue or pink undertones. Some great RAL lipsticks for medium cool skin tones are these:
Rebel- a gorgeous deep and sultry blue red shade, the classic retro red lipstick. It has a beautiful satin finish that gives the lips a healthy-looking shine. For a matte finish simply blot once after applying, this will remove the shine giving it a matte finish.
Andrea is wearing Rebel by Red Apple Lipstick
Red Apple Red- a classic signature red, light and bright with a slight pink undertone. This glamorous red is super comfortable on the lips, perfect for all-day wear. Wear it bold for an attention-grabbing red lip or you can apply it softer as a subtle stain.
Andrea is wearing Red Apple Red by Red Apple Lipstick
Starlette- this is a warm, pinky red shade that will work great on both cool and warm medium skin tones.
Featured here is Starlette by Red Apple Lipstick
Darker skin tones can wear darker and deeper shades of red, more intense tones of blue-based reds while those with deeper skin tones can wear both deep and bright shades and look amazing. Berry hues are great shades to look for, purple and wine reds are also great for those with deeper skin tones. Here are some beautiful lipstick options for those with darker skin tones:
Rebel- a gorgeous deep and sultry blue red shade, the classic retro red lipstick. It has a beautiful satin finish that gives the lips a healthy-looking shine. For a matte look, simply blot once after applying to remove any shine.
Fran is wearing Rebel by Red Apple Lipstick
Red Apple Red- a glamorous, classic signature red, light and bright with a slight pink undertone. Wear it bold for an attention-grabbing red lip or you can apply it softer as a subtle stain.
Featured here is Red Apple Red by Red Apple Lipstick
Wine & Dandy- a wine shade with less brown and a more purple tone to it. It can be worn as either a lip stain or bold by applying multiple coats.
Fran is wearing Wine & Dandy by Red Apple Lipstick
Best Nude Lipsticks For Cool Skin Tones
When it comes to nude lipsticks, you want to choose a shade that is either a little lighter or darker than your overall complexion color. Avoid shades that are way too light since these might end washing you out and make you look pale. Also, avoid nude shades that match your complexion, these will end up looking like you have concealer on instead.
Light cool skin tones will look best with soft, dusty nude pinks with cool undertones. Avoid nude shades that have yellow undertones, as these could wash your face out. Here are some great RAL lipstick color options:
Maven Mauve- this is a blend of dusty rose and mauve, perfect for those with cool and neutral undertones.
Andrea is wearing Maven Mauve by Red Apple Lipstick
Oh My Guava- nude pink shade with less brown and more pink undertones, works great with any undertone but very flattering for those with cool undertones.
Melissa is wearing Oh My Guava by Red Apple Lipstick
Medium skin tones should choose a shade that is slightly lighter or darker than your complexion. Go with shades that have cool-toned nudes, shades that have some red to them, or even a subtle blush pink that is just a bit darker than the color of your natural lip color would look great. Some great options are:
Maven Mauve- this is a blend of dusty rose and mauve, perfect for those with cool undertones.
Featured here is Maven Mauve by Red Apple Lipstick
Naughty - the perfect tan nude, has no shimmer but it does give the lips a healthy shine. This one is great for those with warmer complexions but can also work with cool medium skin tones.
Featured here is Naughty by Red Apple Lipstick
Ooh La La- dusty rose shade that is slightly pink, slightly brown. Good for all medium skin tones, but looks great on those with cool undertones.
Andrea is wearing Ooh La La by Red Apple Lipstick
Dark skin tones should look for deeper shades of nude, those with cool undertones to them. Berry nudes that are blue-based are a good choice or cooler shades of browns. These are some great RAL options that are great for cooler dark skin tones:
Fierce- a deep Bordeaux red with rich purple and chocolatey undertones.
Fierce is more brown than purple but can work beautifully on cool deep skin because it's usually very close to your base lip color.
Gypsy Soul- brick red with a brown undertone. Absolutely gorgeous on darker and deeper skin tones.
Fran is wearing Gypsy Soul by Red Apple Lipstick
Mayberry- dusty rose mauve with medium depth with a cool-toned berry undertone. Has a slight micro shimmer to it, but not noticeable once applied. This lipstick color makes a beautiful nude shade on dark skin tones.
Fran is wearing Mayberry by Red Apple Lipstick
Ooh La La- dusty rose shade that is slightly pink, slightly brown. A great nude for dark skin tones.
Fran is wearing Ooh La La by Red Apple Lipstick
Best Berry Lipsticks For Cool Skin Tones
Those with cooler complexions will want to look for cooler shades of berry lipsticks. Choose shades that have blue undertones such as plums and wines.
Light skin tones want to choose lighter, or sheer, cool-toned berry shades. You don’t want something too dark that will overpower your complexion. Here are some great RAL options:
Boys N Berries- a violet/fuchsia blend with silver glitter sparkles. Can be applied sheer or layered to intensify the color.
Andrea is wearing Boys N Berries by Red Apple lipstick
Mayberry- dusty rose mauve with medium depth with a cool-toned berry undertone. Has a slight micro shimmer to it, but not noticeable once applied.
Melissa is wearing Mayberry by Red Apple Lipstick
Vogue- a classic berry-toned lipstick. Wear it sheer with a single coat, perfect for lighter skin tones.
Melissa is wearing Vogue by Red Apple Lipstick
Medium skin tones look great with deeper shades of berries. Some RAL lipstick options are
Boys N Berries- a violet/fuchsia blend with silver glitter sparkles. Can be applied sheer or layered to intensify the color.
Featured here is Boys N Berries by Red Apple Lipstick
Can’t Be Beet- this a deeper berry color resembling the color of a purple beet. Can be applied softly as a berry stain or bolder with multiple coats.
Featured here is Can't Be Beet by Red Apple Lipstick
Mauve Me- beautiful plum with red undertones and a bit of shimmer.
Featured here is Mauve Me by Red Apple Lipstick
Vogue- a classic berry-toned lipstick. Applies on sheer but can be intensified with multiple coats.
Featured here is Vogue by Red Apple Lipstick
Wine & Dandy- a wine shade with less brown and a more purple tone to it. It can be worn as either a lip stain or bold by applying multiple coats.
Raf is wearing Wine & Dandy by Red Apple Lipstick
Dark skin tones look amazing with those deeper and darker, richer shades of cooler berries. Here are some great choices:
Can’t Be Beet- this a deeper berry color resembling the color of a purple beet. Can be applied softly as a berry stain or bolder with multiple coats.
Fran is wearing Can't Be Beet by Red Apple Lipstick
Fierce- a deep Bordeaux red with rich purple and chocolatey undertones.
Featured here is Fierce by Red Apple Lipstick
Wine & Dandy- a wine shade with less brown and a more purple tone to it. It can be worn as either a lip stain or bold by applying multiple coats.
Fran is wearing Wine & Dandy by Red Apple Lipstick
Hopefully, this guide comes in handy when shopping at Red Apple Lipstick for those perfect lipstick colors for cool skin tones. Feel free to try other shades that are not these though, you can always try samples of any of RAL lipsticks to see if they work for you. You can also take a look at our other lipstick guides for more helpful suggestions. Have you found any favorites? Let us know in the comments your favorite RAL lipstick shade/s.
