How do I find a lipstick shade after years without wearing it?

[IJustKnowIt]

I haven't worn lipstick in years. When I say years, I mean 20+ years.

So, I have no idea how to find my colour. I don't know if I should use matte, shine, gloss etc.

But, I'll start with colour? How do you find your colour? Is there a website or do in-person consultations work at the Boots counter, for example?

Help me, please!

Just trial and error. Even two lipsticks that look like the same colour can come out completely different on your face. I don't like using the make up counters because the lighting is so unnatural, the products always look totally different in normal lights.

Thank you! I just took a few online quizzes and they asked me what shade and style I wanted but I thought they were supposed to tell me since I am looking for advice! Crazy!

What sort of effect are you looking for (eg dramatic vintage red, everyday natural nude)?
If you just want to dip your toe in, the Clinique Chubby Sticks are sheer and easy to apply.
What clothing colours suit you?

@trainedopossum hi there! thanks for helping me! I think everyday would be okay to start because I might be self conscious wearing anything dramatic after all of these years?

Clothing colours - I'm lucky because I can wear most colours! I like bold and neutral colours and only really dislike pastels but I don't know if that's helpful for lip shades.

I will have a look at Clinique, thank you!

Chanel Boy is the classic beige “no
lipstick” look. A neutral - other brands have similar. It’s a good shade to start with. I’d not go matte and I much prefer cream or a low shine. Gloss - stay away from liquids.

I went into a bigger Boots store or any high street make up store near you (John Lewis, Sephora, etc) and got someone to help me try out different lipsticks matching to my skin shade etc.

I haven’t really worn lipstick in 20 years. I had a firm favourite at uni that I liked but has long since been discontinued (screw you Boots no 7). So I recently googled what the closest colour to my old favourite was and bought that and it’s great! (Thank you Boots no 7).

A long winded way to say maybe an old favourite is the way forward. (Very zen)

Most larger Boots or standalone makeup stores (e.g. Bobbi Brown, MAC) will have at least one counter where you can get a makeup artist to help you. I found Bobbi Brown very nice when I went and not too pushy - I bought some but not all of the products used.

I like Bobbi Brown and MAC too. Plenty of pink nude colours for a foray back into lipsticks.

Bobbi brown are good to help you find something that suits. Agree that it's necessary to check lipstick in everyday light, as store lighting is deceptive.

Boots number 7 will scan your face and tell you it worked for me

Well, you could do all the things suggested above. Or you could:

1. Go to lots of cosmetics websites that offer virtual trying on. Gucci, Hermes, Dries van Noten, Celine (iirc) and many others are all efficient, and a fun, free way to try different colours and textures. They’re obviously not guaranteed to be completely accurate - just a risk free way to look at new things.

2. Having experimented a little, consult AI. If you show ChatGPT your colouring, and say what you’ve tried and the sort of thing you think you’d like it can very easily suggest lipsticks worth trying in person - at any and every price.

3. Book a session with a Beauty Concierge at a branch of Selfridges - where they’ll help you try out the most suitable products for you from all the brands they sell. Google for current price and whether your chosen branch does this in the salon or on the shop floor. Either way the cost is redeemable against anything you buy.

Things have moved on a bit in the last 20 years, so it would be wise to get some help. (Otherwise you may inadvertently only look at brands you knew before.)

I second AI. It asked me my undertones, hair colour etc. Recommended trying a lip oil stick and lip liner (Elf Mauve, very cheap from Amazon). It is perfect 👌 first time in my life I have worn any colour on my lips and now I wear it every day. I think AI would be better than the individual makeup sites as it's pulling all the information to help suggest the perfect product!

@SeditiousPam @PawMaw thanks so much! I'm so nervous about it because I'm worried that I'll pick something and think I look great but actually look like a fool!!! 😳

Relax … 😅 It’s not a once in a lifetime decision.

Don’t think about buying immediately. Just consider the various routes to experimentation. Try them all.

(Full disclosure - until recently I hadn’t bought any lipstick post-lockdown. And had become accustomed to buying all cosmetics online - mostly from Cult Beauty. But I suddenly wanted the gesture of using lipstick again - so spent months and months playing with the virtual try on facility on every site I could find. And then had several detailed discussions with ChatGPT - which were great fun! In the last three months I’ve bought two: one online from Westman Atelier, and one in person from Dries van Noten. And I have major plans for refining my choices with future buys.)

I find lipstick a bit much on me because I'm not used to wearing it. If you try it on and it's a bit of a shock to you and you feel a bit over the top (I'm sure you'll look lovely, but it's how it makes me feel!) then you could start with tinted stuff like balms/oils/glosses/stains rather than lipstick. I started with a clear gloss after not wearing any makeup for years, and gradually added more colour as I got used to it.

It helps to work out, first of all, whether you suit warm shades (brownish, orangish) or cool shades (purplish). A warm red is very different to a cool red. Same with pink. People tend to look good in either warm or cool, not both - something to do with skin tone, hair etc.

Do you want a product that’s easy to use or requires effort?
Are you going for a natural look or a bold look or in between?
Are you looking to make your lips look fuller?
What other makeup do you use?
Is your skin tone warm/ cool/ neutral?
What colour are your hair and eyes?
Have you got dry/ normal/ oily skin?
Hoe much do you want to spend?
Is it for daytime wear?

I will answer the best I can - thanks for your help!

Not sure I knew there were differences in effort so I don't know, sorry!
Natural or in between - not brave enough for bold
No extra fullness needed (I think)
Mostly brow gel, concealer, black mascara (top lash only) and blusher
Neutral, I believe!
Hazel eyes and dark brown hair (many years ago) now paid for blonde
Normal skin
No budget because I just don't know what's quality or what range is appropriate
Yes, daytime wear, thank you so much!

Thank you all x

@TheLoneliestSnail‘s questions are exactly the sort of thing ChatGPT will help you with - having seen your face - which we haven’t!

My daughter uses a lip stain that's amazing. She paints it on, waits a few minutes and then peels it off. It looks great, adds colour but no lipstick feel. Just a thought. Good luck.

The easiest shade to try would be ‘your lips but better’ as the natural shade of your lips obviously suits your colouring! Go into Boots or Superdrug and just hold some shades up to your lips in a mirror and find something similar. If you look for a balm, gloss or oil formula as PPs have mentioned. I’d just try the cheap brands first as they have tons of options.

Lipstick can be a bit high maintenance. You might need liner, it can smudge/ transfer, needs to be reapplied/ checked during the day.
Based on what you’ve said, I would go for a neutral nude or pink sheer lipstick or tinted balm. Don’t bother with Clinique chubby sticks if u opt for balm. The tinted Nivea sticks are just as good and a fraction of the cost.
I recommend Boots No7 Sheer Temptation lipstick for you. The shade range is not too broad or overwhelming and I think you have a good chance at finding at least one shade to suit you.

Sorry, was trying to edit to add that a sheer lipstick requires less maintenance. It is more highly pigmented, opaque formulas that tend to be tricky.
Personally, I’d steer away from stains and long lasting formulas at least til you’ve dipped your toes in. They can be drying, tricky to apply and if you don’t like them you have to remove them quickly or you’re stuck with them til they wear off.