A strong lipstick that doesn't make me look like I'm in drag.

[Bookist]

My hair is a short textured urchin crop and very heavily highlighted in a creamy silver colour that quickly goes yellow. My colouring is warm and I tan easily, but there's quite a lot of pink in my cheeks. Eyes are a sludgy grey/blue/green colour. Because my hair is quite bold I feel my lips need a stronger colour to balance out. But every single colour I try makes me look hard faced and like I'm in drag. Any suggestions very welcome.

A soft coral might be better than red. Max Factor have some nice ones not too expensive to try in their Colour Elixir range in the gold tube like Bewitching Coral or Pink Brandy.

I hadn't thought of a coral shade. That's interesting. I recently tried the supposedly universally flattering Ruby Woo but I looked hideous and twenty years older than I actually am.

Ruby Woo is matte isn’t it?

You need glossy or something with a sheen
Which colours are in your wardrobe?

Your teeth need to be white if you intend to wear coral lipstick, it can give teeth a yellow (er) tinge. This happens with peach and orange hued lipsticks. I know because those lipstick colours suit me but my teeth aren't white enough.

Yes, avoid mattes. Ruby Woo is a blue red, so for cool colouring. You need a warm colour. I have warm colouring and do like corals (have both mentioned ones). Mac have some warmer reds - a yellow or orangey red or pinky red would be better. If you already have some matte lipsticks put some gloss over the top.

My fave darker shades are:

M&S autograph Plum Shine
Benefit No Competition (dont know if still available)
Boots No 7 Moisture Drench Sugar Plum

Or Clinique's Black Honey

Lots of interesting suggestions thank you. My teeth are white thanks to professional whitening. The colours in my wardrobe are all very boring and neutral. Lots of navy, grey, taupes and far too much black.

lisa Eldridge lipsticks are amazing. Try strawberry shock or rainbow spill

Pink and glossy is what you need!

I agree with a gloss actually. Chanel used to do a beautiful matte coral gloss, but they stopped it grr. again Lisa Eldridge do a lovely coral gloss, Go Lightly.
edited to say it’s stronger in real life than the web pics

I like the idea of pink and glossy. But my lips have quite a lot of purpley pigment in them which changes the colour of pink lipsticks.

What about something more brown toned? MAC Coffee & Cigs comes to mind.

www.johnlewis.com/dior-addict-shine-lipstick-refill/659-coral-bayadere/p6145819

Or a warm red, Mac PDA is a brick coloured red. I'm grey haired, but warm skin tone with freckles, so I need warmer colours. I've got one from Clinique (sorry can't remember the name) that is sort of a brown/red as well.
Fuller Fig Chubby Stick is a good go-to for everyday.

Are you able to pop into a department store to get help from one of the counters? MAC has great colours

Can you get to a counter? I've got Ruby Woo in gloss version, and I can't wear the matte version, so might be worth a nosey at formulations. NARS also have some nice lip colours, worth checking out, and I find Bobbi Brown wearable.

Matt lipstick appears to be on trend ATM. I hate them. They are aging and dry your lips too much.

I'm with you there !

MAC Chilli is my current favourite, sort of burnt orangey-red.

I also find MAC very drying. Are the glosses as drying too? I'm heading into the city at the weekend so might just plonk myself in a department store and let them do their worst!

Second this. I don't know how close my colouring is to OPs but I'm warmish light skinned and find Chilli gives the drama of a red without being harsh. The formulation is creamy and easy to wear. I got it in a beauty box and it was a nice surprise. There are quite a few on ebay to try without spending a lot.

@Bookist you may be aware already but on some sites including Mac, you can do a virtual try on where you upload a photo of yourself and can see what the shade would look like on. That may help you narrow it down a bit

Apply a lip balm first, blot and then a matte lipstick and it won't be drying.

I would try Mac Spill the tea which is a warm reddish coral and not matte, or Lady Danger which is a orange red.
Ruby Woo doesn’t suit me either and I don’t like the texture.