Trending Now: How to Pull Off Orange Lipstick

While red lips are still that forever shade for most, orange lipstick has become a new classic in its own right. The fun, vibrant colour adds a bit of pizzazz to any make-up look and is supremely flattering on all skin tones. Finding the right colour is key, so if you’re trying a tangerine shade for the first time, it’s best to do your shopping IRL and go to the store to examine the lipsticks up close rather than shopping online. This will ensure that you get exactly what you’re looking for and find the best pick for your skin tone. Whether you’re dipping your toe into the orange lipstick pool and want a sheer, easy-to-wear orange lip gloss or are ready to jump right in with a bold orange red lipstick, follow these need-to-know tips before shopping for your new hue.

Find the right orange lipstick for your skin tone

First things first: If you want to rock a bold orange makeup look, you should find the most flattering shade for your skin tone. Thankfully, beauty aisles are filled with orange lippies in all shades, textures and undertones, so finding the right fit is possible no matter what you’re looking for. Wearing orange lipstick comes down to comfort and confidence—and anyone can rock any shade as long as they feel good in it—but there are a few easy rules to follow if you’re trying this reddish yellow hue for the first time. If your skin has a cool, pinky undertone, look for tones that also have a cool undertone with a blue base, like L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip in Matte-Traction Red If your skin has a warm, golden undertone, warm-toned oranges will make your complexion shine. Shades like L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lip in Matte-ly in Lovean orange red lipstick—are ultra-flattering. Lipsticks that fall into the coral category, like L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Luminous Coral, typically suit everyone and are a good warm-up orange to use as a test. Berry oranges are another safe bet for both warm and cool skin tones. Try L’Oréal Paris Infallible 2-Step Lip Colour in Perpetual Apricot, which gives you a vibrant colour that lasts up to 24 hours.

Play around with orange lipstick intensity

Orange makeup items come in all kinds of intensities, from sheer orange lip glosses and discreet tinted orange lip balms to full-on high-pigmented colour. Once you find the shade you want to wear, try layering your lipstick with other products, applying it with a brush or your finger instead of right out of the tube to switch up the look. If you want to boost the colour intensity, try applying a coat of nude lipstick as a base and layering your orange lipstick overtop. The nude will help to mute any dark or pink hues in your lips so the orange really pops.

Before applying the orange lipstick

Now that you’ve found your perfect hue, the key to making it really sing is prepping your lips accordingly. Red lips, orange matte lipstick and other bold shades will highlight any dry or rough patches on your lips, so give your pucker a good exfoliation with a lip scrub before you reach for that tube of lippie. If your pout feels on the dry side, swipe on a thin coat of lip balm to help your lipstick glide on more smoothly and to boost hydration. If you want to increase the longevity of your orange lip gloss or lipstick apply a coat, dab with a tissue and then apply a second coat. This will help seal in the colour and give your lips a stained effect.

Dial down your other make-up

When you’re rocking a look-at-me orange lipstick, it should be the focal point of your style, so find a happy medium when it comes to balancing your bold orange lipstick look with the rest of your make-up. Try pairing it with a neutral eyeshadow and a few coats of mascara or some simple eyeliner; this will add balance but it won’t compete with your shade of lipstick. A warm-based orange matches well with a light application of golden bronzer on the cheeks and the high points of the face.