Shopping for a new lipstick shade is one of my biggest beauty stressors. Figuring out what shade suits my skin tone best, while simultaneously deciding whether to go satin, sheer, matte, cream, or liquid can make me — to put it mildly — flustered. The last time I went into a Sephora with the intention of buying a new nude, I came out sweaty and empty-handed, with two arms covered in rectangular lipstick swatches. I’ve found that all of the lipsticks I’ve loved the most have actually come from recommendations from friends — most women I know have had enough lipstick trial and error to have found a conclusive favorite, one that suits their skin tone, doesn’t slide off their lips and onto their teeth, and whose application never results in shriveled lips from an overly matte formula.
So last week I decided to conduct an experiment: I took to the question app on Instagram Story and asked my followers to submit their all-time favorite lipstick, along with an explanation of why it’s their No. 1. I then sorted through the answers and pulled the most-oft-submitted shades and formulas. Below, a list of lipstick recommendations to make your life a little bit easier, whether you’re looking for a new red, nude, brown, pink, berry, or orange.
Orange
“Mac’s Lady Danger is the perfect orange-red for my medium skin tone with warm undertones. If I feel tired looking, I apply it and my under-eye bags magically disappear.” —Jenna Perry, colorist at White Rose Salon
“I love the Bobbi Brown art stick in Sunset Orange for my light, freckly skin tone. The main reason is that my friend gave it to me and when I wear it I think about her, but aside from that, it’s the perfect orange-red for me. It stays on so well, it made it all the way through a cooking class. And cooking classes are really just eating and drinking classes!” —Elizabeth Monson, marketing consultant
Red
“I love Mac’s Ruby Woo because it complements my almond skin tone so well and gives me the perfect pop of color.” —Natania Boyce, producer
“Charlotte Tilbury’s Bond Girl is so pigmented without being drying — it doesn’t drag even if your lips are really chapped. The formula is a bit emollient without showing shine. My skin tone is fair-neutral so it’s the perfect red for me.” —Joelle Hyman, photo researcher at Allure/the Creative Group at Condé Nast
“I remember reading about NARS Dolce Vita in a magazine forever ago and I bought it. I have light skin with olive undertones. It went on like chapstick and never made me feel dry — even when I was on Accutane!” —Erika Rankin, comedian
Pink
“Mac’s Taupe is the perfect neutral for my skin (I’m medium with warm/olive undertones) and I’ve noticed that my friends with really warm/olive undertones really like it too. It’s easy to make it look more dramatic if you layer it on top of a brown lip liner too.” —Ruby Thiagarajan, editor-in-chief, Mynah Magazine
“Okay, okay. I know I work at Marc Jacobs so this probably sounds like a promotional thing, but I’m not kidding you: Marc Jacobs Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is the perfect everyday lip. It doesn’t budge and is basically just a better version of my own lip color. I have pale skin and platinum hair so it brings my skin to life.” —Phoebe Gillan, Marc Jacobs International PR
“For a slightly more subtle look, my runner-up from Mac’s Lady Danger is my all-day bae Frog Prince. I basically wear it to the gym” —Jenna Perry, colorist and White Rose Salon
Berry
“I love YSL’s Volupte Lips & Cheeks in shade 10 — it’s the perfect plum. I like that it’s really easy to dab on my lips with my fingers when I want a more subtle shade. It also goes on really smooth and never dries my lips out. I love how it gives my fair complexion life instantly.” —Reece Soloman, fashion consultant
“My skin tone is fair-neutral, and I love Tom Ford’s Indian Rose. The formula is wonderfully smooth and long-lasting — it’s the perfect your-lips-but-better shade.” —Jenny, manager at Bloomingdale’s
Brown
“I would describe my skin tone as warm almond, and Glossier’s Leo is really the ideal everyday nude lipstick for me. It’s not too intense but lasts all day long.” —Natania Boyce, producer
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