How do I find a lipstick which suits me?

[MackerelOfFact]

I am a bridesmaid in a few weeks and want to wear colour on my lips, but I have never found a lipstick that doesn't make me look either like a 4-year-old playing dress-up, or like a drag queen.

I have a fair and cool (I think) skin tone with pinkish hues - if it helps, I wear this foundation: www.amazon.co.uk/Maybelline-Matte-Poreless-Number-Foundation-x/dp/B01N1VNKOG?tag=mumsnetforum-21

My hair is dark blonde (mousy with highlights, basically) and I have greeny-blue eyes. The dress is a paleish cyan colour, something like this: www.houseoffraser.co.uk/electricals/kitchenaid-artisan-stand-mixer-5ksm175-ice-blue/268223868.pd#268223868&_$ja=tsid:44970|cid:207344755|agid:10144758715|tid:aud-178727286286:pla-515003086272|crid:198539993969|nw:g|rnd:2158002468838228408|dvc:c|adp:1o1|mt:

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I usually chicken out and end up in a nude or heather lipgloss, but I want to be a bit braver.

(Obviously the KitchenAid is as a colour guide, I'm not wearing a food mixer).

!! Laughed at the food mixer as dress!
I have the same problem plus lipsticks come out really pink on me.
All I can advise is to go to a dept store/ Boots and get help at the counters. Don't buy till you've seen it in daylight!

If you go to Boots and get colour matched for foundation, you can get cards which list lipsticks which also suit that colouring. Then choose what style of lipstick/ gloss you like.

You try a tester on the inside of your finger - if it looks 'right' then it'll be ok for your lip colour. Perfect way to avoid expensive mistakes and works a treat.

I love ruby woo ( Mac) it's so bold but gorgeous!

Ps no idea if that works with the colour dress you're wearing

Someone once told me (or I dreamt it ) that a sure suitable lip colour is the same shade as your nipple.

just don't check shades at the make up counter.

On an actually helpful note I had a make up trying on session by a lovely counter lady at Bare Mineral in a big Boots and was very very happy with the lip colour. (the whole lot really... I spent way too much when I wasn't meaning to!) I found it was my lip colour in a bolder HD and was perfect for day and night.

I was about to post what ohwool has !!
According to my make up addict teen you should match your lipstick to your nipples

Viva glam 2 is a great "your lips but better" shade if you are looking for something relatively understated.

I've had great success with the boots No 7 colour card suggested above.

Your colouring sounds similar to mine. A "your lips but better" lipstick is Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy. Alternatively, a similar colour but massively cheaper option is Blistex Lip Brilliance in Rosy. Both would give a subtle groomed look without making you feel self-conscious.

Do you have a Wilkos near you? Essence Cool Nude is a fantastic shade. Don't be put off by the cheap prices the quality is amazing.

You sound like you've similar colouring to me I like Mac Mehr & Velvet Teddy

Thanks so much for all these suggestions!

I have just ordered a cheapo lip pallate off eBay and am going to try all the colours from the comfort of home and see if I can find something that suits (or, er, matches my nipples!) and then try and find the same colour(s) in an actual lipstick.

Boots colour match is tempting but I have loads of foundation and I'm not sure I can justify buying more just to get a lipstick colour pairing.

The Blistex and Wilkos suggestions are tempting, I will definitely try these out if I see them. As much as Chanel and Mac sound lovely, I don't think I have the confidence to commit to that kind of purchase yet!

You don't need to but foundation from no 7 to get a lipstick match

You just ask them to match you with the right lipsticks.

The Wilkos one is a dupe for the Mac Teddy btw.

Ah OK, I didn't realise about the Boots thing - I inferred that you got given a card (like an insert thing or something) when you bought your foundation, my mistake.

No, they'll do it just for lipstick

I think we have similar colouring. First if you are going to try lots on do the rest if your make up first as it will make you feel less like you are dressing up.

If you just want a nice lipstick which is natural looking you could try MAC hug me or for a nice treat Chanel in mademoiselle

For colour I suit pinks much more than reds (still looking for the right red and I buy a lot lipstick). The Clinique Pop Glazes are good as not too solid. I was wearing sprinkle pop today which looks scary but goes on lovely.

I haven't read the whole thread so sorry if someone's already recommended it but there's a green lipstick that accentuates your natural lip colour (it doesn't come out green!)

Real Rebel Green lipstick

Thanks again for all these responses! Makes me realise how clueless I am. I'd never have considered the Clinique pop glazes as they look bonkers, but having done a quick Google image search, they are lovely on. I love Clinique anyway, so may have a try.

I've never heard of the green lipstick either - I can't decide if it's bonkers or genius!

Just to warn you, I tried a green lipstick (it's Barry M). It turned the most hideous bright pink and stained my lips that colour for ages - I had to constantly wear pale nude lipstick over it for a couple of days to stop me scaring people!

Have you had your seasonal colours done OP? I had mine done years ago and found it really helpful for clothes and makeup. There's an online version here

Have you tried something that is a bit more coral? I think it may work with your eye colour and colour of the dress.
There is a really cheap rimmel one called Coral in Gold, which doesn't stay on because its cheap, but nice and glossy/ moisturising, and is a good one to try to see if that shade suits you.