Choose your lipstick shade

Brightening, glossy, vivid, joyful. Yes, we’re talking about lipsticks, but these descriptions might as well be about you. Your optimism, your confidence. Still, ever felt like you wanted a little boost to bolster your change-making work in the world? Want to match your mouth to your statement-making voice? Power up the good vibes with the right lipstick shades. And get this, there’s a hack to knowing the most flattering hues. It all comes down to your skin’s undertone (in a nutshell – the base colour that comes through your skin colour). Once you’re savvy to your undertone, finding the most uplifting shades for your complexion is a snap.

Range of The Body Shop lipsticks

So, what shade of lipstick should you wear?

Painters past and present have made a pretty strong case – complementary colours are the most visually pleasing, creating good vibrations when paired. As in life, opposites attract. Though, that’s not to say your lip colour shouldn’t mirror your bold spirit. Matchmaking lipstick shades with your skin’s natural undertone (not to mention, your hair and even your wardrobe) creates gallery-worthy levels of impact. Just the ticket when you want to stand out to be heard. In short, undertones are the basis of flattering faces – no wonder makeup artists dub the face a canvas. For instance, purple and blue-toned lipsticks best complement cool undertones. So, do you have a cool, warm or neutral undertone? Forget skin colour, simply check the veins on the inside of your wrist – blue veins means cool, green equals warm, and if you can’t tell you’re neutral.

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Model wearing plum colour lipstick

These berry nice lipstick colours best suit cool undertones

Yes, you’ve got a cool undertone but we know you’re also in possession of a warm heart. Whether you wear it on your sleeve or lips, expressing your mood through colour lets you have fun, or, for when you really mean business, make a statement. As your complexion is calling out for blue-tinged or deeper tone lipstick shades, consider purple lipstick your go-to. Case in point, Peptalk Lipstick in Free Spirit or Be Heard. Looking for a pinker pout? Avoid the orange end of the spectrum and try out the more muted Live Loud or Doing Great Peptalk shades.

Model with orange lipstick shade

Buff up on the top lipstick colours for warm undertones

The warmer the undertone, the more daring you can go. Bold lips for your bold voice? Yes please! Your colour cheat sheet centres around orange, the founding hue of your lipstick wardrobe no matter your skin colour. You can then tailor from there – though remember, these rules are made for playing with depending on your mood, hair colour or outfits. Try a peach or coral lipstick like Sheer Touch in Pop or Peptalk Lipstick in Your Tearms and Life’s Peachy. Looking for something bolder? Try a vibrant orange or deep plum shade like Peptalk Lipstick in Stay Strong or Think Big. Or swipe on a hit of metallic copper or bronze with Peptalk Lipstick in Make Waves.

Model with sheer lipstick on

Seeking lipstick colours for neutral undertones? Look no further

A neutral undertone is one that may be hard to spot or look like a mix of warm and cool undertones. You know what that means? You’ve got the perfect palette for experimentation. So, where to start? Play with shades that toe the line – your perfect red lipstick should be not too orange, not too blue. Dip into nude lipstick for more chic moments – look to Peptalk Lipstick in the shades Good Day or Real You or Sheer Touch in Feel. If you’re a fan of the barely-there makeup look and want to find your most natural lipstick shades, there’s a secret we should let you in on. The perfect nude lipstick for you is the same colour as your nipples. Now that’s a fun way to find a lipstick shade!

Model with red shade of lipstick on smiling

How to pick a red lipstick shade

Red lipstick. It’s a turbo-boost in a tube, a little slick of put-togetherness. Forget looking the part of the vixen, this is about looking like the best version of you. To do just that, keep the principles of skin’s undertones in mind and you’ll find the best red lipstick in your sights – whether crimson, pillar box or rose. Even the finish, texture and coverage of the colour will impact what makes it your most flattering red. Fancy a low-maintenance, everyday sheen? Try our Sheer Touch in Power for a juicy, plump pout with just a hint of colour. Or perhaps you want something a little stronger? Choose Peptalk Lipstick in Think Big, Break Through or Be Heard for a demi-matte finish that can be built up for a more intense shade.

Range of different shades of lipstick

How to test your lipstick colour? Pucker up and see

Testing, testing. This is your chance to find lipstick that works best for you. In-store testing is the best way to see if you suit and, naturally, like a lipstick shade. Good test practice makes sense when you think about it – when not applying directly to lips, look for where your skin most closely matches your bare lip colour. It could be the side of the hand or inside of the wrist, or even the pads of your fingertips. This will give you a good idea of how a lipstick will look before you take it home.

Get to know all of The Body Shop lipsticks and lip products

Range of The Body Shop Peptalk Lipsticks

Peptalk Lipstick

Enriched with Community Fair Trade shea butter, this new, high-impact, demi-matte lipstick keeps your pout plump with moisture, all day long. And with 20 universally flattering shades, there’s a colour to suit every mood. But that’s not all – it also comes in a nifty, refillable aluminium tube making this a lipstick for life.

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Range of The Body Shop Sheer touch lip & cheek tint

SHEER TOUCH LIP & CHEEK TINT

Want a more natural finish? Available in five flattering shades, Sheer Touch is a lightweight yet buildable lip and cheek tint that blends seamlessly into the skin, giving an instant flush of colour. Enriched with Community Fair Trade aloe vera, it delivers 12hr moisturisation.

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Range of Swipe it lip balm

SWIPE IT LIP BALM

Our creamy, easy-to-apply Swipe It Lip Balms help keep your lips feeling smoother and moisturised. Enriched with Community Fair Trade shea butter, they leave a natural-looking sheen of colour after just one swipe, and come in five subtle, sweet scents.

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Model applying lipstick with finger

Want to make your lipstick last all day?

We get it, there’s more on your plate than making sure your lipstick’s on point throughout the day. But wouldn’t it be nice if it was? Our tips will help you to make your lip colour go further, so you can too. First up, gently exfoliate and moisturise lips for a smoother application. If you’ve chosen an intense colour or matte formulation, start with lip liner to keep everything in place. After applying The Body Shop lipstick, wash your hands and slide your index finger between your lips once to remove any excess that could end up on your pearly whites. Lastly, do you know the tissue trick? Put a tissue over your lips and brush translucent powder over the top. Hey presto, the powder will transfer through, helping to seal your colour for longer.

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