Weird lipstick problem

[isabellerossignol]

This may be a strange one.

Neutral or muted coloured lipsticks aren't visible on my lips. Pink toned, brown toned, peach toned, no matter what I try they don't show up. Have sat at a makeup counter with the salesperson going 'let's try this one...' over and over before admitting defeat.

Same with tinted lip balm. I spent ages with a lady who makes hand made cosmetics a while ago, she was talking about skin tone and pigment etc and admitted she had never met someone before where her lip tints didn't show up. She actually took photos of me to take to the next course she was going on to ask for advice from more experienced people.

Does anyone else have this problem and if so, have they found a lipstick that is actually visible? As I've got older I feel my lips need a bit of definition and I'd love a decent lipstick that would just give that 'groomed' look for work etc.

Does a more vivid lipstick show up?

Yes, a bright pink or red would show up.

But I have quite full lips and feel a bit over the top in a bright colour.

What colour are your lips naturally?

You can get some lovely sheer reds. Revlon do a balm stain

I've never actually thought about that!

They are quite pale pink around the edges, and I am very pale skinned, so I feel like they fade into my face. More pink towards my actual mouth though.

Intriguing, any chance of a photo?

This is a terrible blurred photo as I don't want any of my face in it! (Also, I have perioral dermatitis, so my skin is a terrible shade of pink as well!) But it gives an idea of the colour.

What about a plum shade? Or a sheer lipstick in a deeper shade? I like the Mac Cremesheen ones.

Your lips are a lovely shape! Have you tried a lip stain? I've got one from the body shop in a bright red that leaves a hint of colour with one layer or gets darker the more you use. You could then put a gloss over the top if you want a shine.

Maybe a sheer lipstick in a deeper shade would work. Or a lipstain.

I love deeper colours on other people but because my lips are quite, er, plump, I feel a bit self conscious that it's too much on me, especially as I'm not a wee young thing.

The Maybelline Ink range is a good strong colour and will stay on until you take it off. Literally 24 hours +!

Plump lips are a good thing. Much nicer than thin ones. They are a nice shape too. One thing you could try is covering your lips with foundation as a primer, then usinga lip pencil for outer definition, a coat of lipstick, blotted, then a second coat. Stage actresses sometimes do this to make sure the lipstick stays on for a show.

I too would say go for sheer plums, and work your way up to opaque shades. Forget about the shades that don't show up and get yourself some new colours.

I have exactly the same problem. Hate buying lipstick as often look great swatched on my hand and in the tube but then I get it home and it look bleugh when I put it on!
I could never find a nude either abs have tried them all! I too have larger lips and for work don't want something bright.
I have finally found a nude that works from Avon! They have a range of about 9 to choose from. They had a guide showing skin tone but I went a shade darker and it looks perfect! I've ordered it twice now and am about to order another one.

Girl what lipstick and what shade is your Avon lipstick?

I'm going to be brave and try something darker but if there's a neutral shade out there that might work, I'd still like to find it.

I have large lips that are quite dark in tone and nudes can either not show or look odd - I use Clinique Almost Lipstick Dark Honey which just provides a subtle wash of colour and seems to suit most people.