Red/Bright lipstick for pale skin?

[TheCrumpetQueen]

I've never been able to find a lipstick that suits my skin tone - ever! I'm sort of a weird pale but not really pale? Dark hair, bluey green eyes with freckles.

Can anyone recommend a colour lipstick? Or somewhere I can go where someone really knows their stuff and can help me? Tired of wearing just lipbalm!

Which ones have you tried? Or what types of colours, if you can't remember their names?

I bought a top shop red lipstick once but it made me look too overdone.

I was thinking maybe a corally pink would be better?

I have your colouring and I am currently wearing Revlon candy apple. It's a lovely warm red and not scarey.

I have pale skin and green eyes, but blonde hair.

I wear cashmere by loreal. Its not red, but more of a raspberry plum colour

Oh also another red which was especially for pale skin tones (think it was a bluey red) looked awful :(

I love the look of dark hair with a strong lipstick colour and underdone eyes, but have never been able to achieve it

What colour clothes suit you best? And do you like the shape of your lips (I find that even the perfect shade of red doesn't suit me because of my mouth shape)?

Also how do you apply it? With a brush or just straight on? Does it make a difference?

I think I have a similar complexion to you. My top three:

Chanel Rouge Allure in Lover
Chanel Rouge Coco in Gabrielle
Mac Lady Danger

There will be a red that suits you - you just need to work out whether you need one that leans more orange or more blue, or a softer, pinker red. The best thing to do would be to go to a make up counter like Mac, Bobbi Brown (anywhere that has loads of different shades) and try them on. Once you know what kind of colour you're looking for you can swatch some on the back of your hand and go around looking for similar ones. That's what I do anyway!

X post. In that case, if the bluey reds don't suit you then Revlon candy apple and mac lady danger should work.

If you feel a bit overdone in full on red lipstick, Mac Lady Bug is a bright but sheer red.

This video by Lisa Eldridge tells you all about the different ways to apply it - she's brilliant :)

I second revlons candy apple. I am pale. It's a lovely non-scary red and quite sheer. I've only recently graduated to redder lipsticks as I've always worn more nude/natural shades but this red is great - I have ahem 'generous' lips and it really brightens my whole face to have a more vibrant colour on my lips.

But you do need to tone down eye make up (hard lesson learnt by me!!)

I always wear Max Factor Bewitching Coral - a lovely warm shade, and it lasts ages. Must investigate Candy Apple though...

Although pale you may have a warm skin tone which can throw off pinker reds.
Try revlon just bitten lip stain, they have lots of different colours. You can wear them as a stain or quite sheer or as a true lipstick and they last for ages. Lovesick is my go to colour, i have very pale skin, dark hair and lighter eyes.

I adore Dior Diva lipstick, it's the one in the lovely gold case and it's beautiful. Alternatively, Chanel Orchidee is a great soft rose-red.

Mac Russian Red is my favourite, I have pale skin too though am blonde. It's matt rather than shiny which makes a huge difference, whenever I wear it people always want to try it on! It's one of those reds that suits most people.

I second a matte or satin finish being more flattering than a gloss when it comes to red. I forgot to mention Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil in Dragon Girl.

I love Revlon Candy Apple too - a lovely sheer, but definitely red, colour.

Sounds like you might have a warm skintone - yes, pale people can have them too! Try Revlon balm stain (chubby stick type) in Romantic (the red shade) which is what I'd call a strawberry red, it's fairly sheer and neutral toned. Also Rimmel Apocalips in Big Bang is a true, neutral red, as is Maybelline 24hr lip colour in Red Passion.

Also bear in mind that the colour of your lips can change the lipstick tone when it's on you.

Thank you so much for the replies! :)

I think you guys are right, I'm pale but have a warm skin tone.

Definitely going to try out a few of those in the new year!