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 make it easier.

What 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.

Mabel- a beautiful mauve, rose pink. This is a slightly cool-toned pink that works perfectly for cool undertones and neutral undertones.

Maven Mauve- a blend between dusty rose and mauve, ideal for cool undertones and great for neutral tones.

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.

Secrets- cool-toned pink with a deep golden shimmer. This creamy and smooth lipstick shade is great to help make the lips appear fuller.

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.

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.

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.

Mabel- a beautiful mauve, rose pink. This is a slightly cool-toned pink that works perfectly for cool undertones.

Maven Mauve- a blend between dusty rose and mauve, ideal for cool undertones.

Oh Snapdragon- soft blossom pink with cool undertones of lavender, a colorful yet soft full-coverage color.

Secrets- cool-toned pink with a deep golden shimmer. This lipstick shade is great to help make the lips appear fuller.

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.

Oh Snapdragon- this is a soft blossom pink with cool undertones of lavender.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Starlette- this is a warm, pinky red shade that will work great on both cool and warm medium skin tones.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gypsy Soul- brick red with a brown undertone. Absolutely gorgeous on darker and deeper skin tones.

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.

Ooh La La- dusty rose shade that is slightly pink, slightly brown. A great nude for dark skin tones.

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.

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.

Vogue- a classic berry-toned lipstick. Wear it sheer with a single coat, perfect for lighter skin tones.

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.

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.

Mauve Me- beautiful plum with red undertones and a bit of shimmer.

Vogue- a classic berry-toned lipstick. Applies on sheer but can be intensified with multiple coats.

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.

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.

Fierce- a deep Bordeaux red with rich purple and chocolatey undertones.

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.

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.