Where do you start with lipstick?

[Monkey533]

I'm not really a makeup person, but on the wrong end of 35, my skin has lost it's shine and I've finally started wearing make up every day as opposed to weddings and funerals and job interviews. At the moment, I'm just doing skin and a bit of eyes, all the "natural" look. If I'm going out on the weekend I can do a bit more with my eyes but still am just wearing a bit of colourless lip gloss. I'd like to get something a bit more grown up and finished looking for my lips but i literally have no idea where to start. With skin it was just a matter of matching my skin and there are samples for that, but how does one pick lipstick?

(Sorry, I really am clueless about makeup.)

[clairedunphy]

I too am clueless about make up but I discovered a service in boots when I was lipstick shopping for the first time in years. I think it's for No.7, they use a gadget to assess your skin tone and then give you a colour palette of shades that will suit you, from neutrals to bold.

I bought a red lipstick that actually suits me, which I'd never managed before, so it was a mini breakthrough for me!

It was last year though, but hopefully they still do it. Not too pricey either.

[Carpaccio]

First off, I think you need to figure out roughly what you're looking for - do you want a red lipstick, something neutral (as in a 'my lips but better' kind of colour), darker reds, something matte or more glossy?

There are videos on youtube about lipsticks, both for inspiration (it'll usually be general makeup videos or a how to wear a certain colour, but you might see something you like) and there are guides on how to pick the right red or nude and so on.
I like Lisa Eldridge (she's really good at making it sounds really simple and doing makeup looks that aren't too complicated), but Pixiwoo, Sharon Farrell, makeupgeek, Tati, Teni Panosian and loads of other youtubers do good makeup videos too. You might see someone who has the same colours as you, or you might see a lipstick colour on someone and be curious how it looks on you.

Then, it's really all about trying colours. Places like Mac and higher end counters should sanitise the products for you before applying and I've found they are usually pretty good at recommending colours that would work.

You don't have to buy expensive products - there are loads of dupes on the market and the cheaper brands do really good products.

I have been given lipstick samples from some brands before, but it's usually when they are putting a new lipstick on the market that they'll have them.

[clutterfly]

Try the Clinique chubby sticks, they enhance your own colour and you can't really go wrong with them. I love mine.

[Monkey533]

That's funny, about Boots. I went maybe two years ago and they did the color analysis prong thing, but the guy who did it could have been a security guard for all he knew about make up. He scanned the inside of my wrist,, so basically my blue veins and then recommended something that was 4 shades too light for me. Hey ho.

Sounds like I maybe need to go to a counter and buy something pricier first time around. The issue is I don't really know what I want except that I see my lips are beginning to look a bit wrinkled and old ladyish naked. bt maybe what i want is two thing. One a "my lips but better" and one something brighter for a night out (but don't have the confidence yet).

[mayum1]

Start with figuring out your skintone. Cool vs warm. Then it's easier.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I don't wear lipstick but I did buy a couple of palettes from Sleek (there are four colours in each) so I can mix them.
OK, they aren't the longest lasting but they are very moisturising unlike the much applauded Kate Moss Rimmel ones on me.

Then once I get a favourite I can buy the lipstick bullet from Sleek

[tomatodizzymum]

I was going to say on the lips and various other places if I've had a few
Actually there is one make-up brand that has a range of colours based on hair/eye colour...how fabulous is that? You don't even have to think. I tried a couple and they do look really great! I got them in Boots.

[pdxs]

All the dept store counters will sanitise product (usually slice top of lipstick off) and let you test colours. I think lancome, guerlain, nars and sometimes chanel have best products (feel of formula on lips and colours) but thats just my preference. I think it pays to test in store when you are shopping AND if you like one see how it wears for a while - avoids expensive mistakes

[chanie44]

I've recently been experimenting with lipsticks and am just a few steps ahead of you.

Tinted lip balms are a great place to start and are nice for more relaxed days.

I also think 'my lips but better' shades of lipstick are good. I've yet to find my ultimate one, but I've come close.

sheer colours are good if you want to go for a shade which stands out like red, but not ready to take the plunge.

When I next get the opportunity, I'm going to pop into space nk and try frog prince by lipstick queen. It's green, but turns pink when it reacts with your skin and looks different on everyone, so it should be a pretty safe bet.

[WhyDoesGastonBark]

I think any lipstick looks good as long as it is applied well and with a lipliner even if its a clear liner it just looks better and more finished. I'd avoid matte lipsticks until you are more used to wearing one for now.

[RavioliOnToast]

My favourite nude is the jlo maxfactor one, I think it's maxfactor anyway, very a-la Kim Kardashian

[Annarose2014]

There are two really cheap lipsticks by #17 that you should check out as "starter" lipsticks. Both easy mid-toned pinks that don't shout.

They're in the Mirror Shine shelf and one is called Belle and one is called Beehive. They're very similar in tone but one is a teensy bit paler, so its personal preference really. I have both and wear both. At that price it'd be rude not to!

[coffeenut]

I agree the Clinique chubby sticks are a good place to start.