The Best Lipstick Colors For Your Lip Shape

When it comes to makeup, lipstick is perhaps the most versatile product. In addition to the lips, it can be used as blush or contour — depending on its color, of course — and you can even dab some on your eyelids to create a perfectly cohesive look. This isn't even to mention that when you're leaving the house barefaced but want to look a bit more put-together, the right lipstick, which can be applied on the go, can make all the difference. But just like everything else, lip shapes are as unique as we are, which is why figuring out what lipstick to reach for can be tough. That said, regardless of whether your lips are heart-shaped, thin, slightly asymmetrical, or perfectly proportioned in your eyes, lipstick can help you achieve evenness and fullness (if that's what you're going for, of course).

To help us understand how lipstick colors can influence our look, we reached out to Jenny Patinkin, an award-winning celebrity makeup artist, beauty expert, and bestselling author. Speaking exclusively to Glam, Patinkin revealed the secrets behind finding your go-to lipstick color and the factors you should particularly pay attention to when selecting it.

No matter what lipstick you use, choosing a lip pencil a couple of shades darker than your natural lip color can help you even out your lip shape. "Lip pencils have made a huge comeback, so outlining before you apply your color can obviously help to create symmetry," Jenny Patinkin shares exclusively with Glam. So, if one side is bigger, over-line the other side of your lips ever so slightly. Or, if your bottom lip is heavy, over-line your upper lip while keeping your lower one within its natural lines. Apart from achieving symmetry, lip liner can also be used to change the shape of your lips. In particular, you can use lip liner to downplay your Cupid's bow if you prefer a more pouty look. Now that you have drawn your base with liner, you can go in with lipstick.

Patinkin explains that lipsticks can help with volume, which is why it's crucial to perfect your lip shape with liner first. If your lips are on the thinner side, you can easily achieve additional volume with a lipstick in a lighter shade. "I like a milky-toned pink to help thin lips look fuller, similar to Chanel Rouge Coco in Icing or Tower28 in Oat," Patinkin tells Glam. "Even if you don't apply a color like this all over the lips and just pop it in the center, the white undertone creates the illusion that the lips have more surface area," Patinkin adds. In fact, if you're looking for ways to add more volume to your lips without committing to lip fillers, follow our guide on how to contour your lips for a fuller, more seductive look. 

Since there are many different lip shapes, finding one lipstick that fits all of them perfectly isn't easy, especially when every person has a different idea of what looks good. However, there are a few key things to consider. "It's about whether those colors also work with your coloring, your personal style, and how high or low maintenance you want to be," Jenny Patinkin explains exclusively to Glam.

That said, a nude shade tends to look great on most people. In fact, it's why Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk is one of the most popular lip-color choices out there. A nude color with subtle pinks in it that evens out your lips while making them appear slightly bigger is always a safe choice, regardless of whether your lips are small, big, or asymmetrical. "Sticking with colors that are within a couple of shades of your natural lips color can create a neutral palette that won't call attention to any shape imbalance," Patinkin adds. "Strong colors like reds will call attention to asymmetry unless you also use a pencil to outline." 

If you're on the lookout for a nude that looks good on you, follow our guide on how to find the perfect nude lipstick for your skin tone. Once you figure out the shade you like, it's time to determine whether a matte or shiny finish is for you. "Matte lipsticks can make thin lips appear thinner and dry, and gloss can help thin lips look fuller, especially glosses with a light shimmer," Patinkin tells us.

Makeup is supposed to be fun, and while you can certainly wear anything that fits your personal fancy, there are some general rules that can help you steer clear of things generally considered to be faux pas. "I don't believe there are any 'right' or 'wrong' choices," Jenny Patinkin shares exclusively with Glam. "The bottom line is that if you feel great in your makeup, you'll project that energy out into the world."

However, with years of experience behind her, Patinkin also gives us her professional opinion. "As a [makeup] artist, I tend to avoid dark matte colors on very thin lips as it can make them look dry and small, and I use gloss more strategically on fuller lips, so that they look pouty and natural instead of overdone and artificial." If you're guilty of not using matte and glossy formulas to your advantage, consider trying something new. But hey, if you prefer it your way, you do you! As Patinkin said, "wrong" and "right" don't really exist in the world of makeup.

Now, before you dive head first into these tips, brush up on how to determine your lip shape once and for all.