Why doesn't this lipstick color look good on me?

It's all about the undertone color

Why doesn't lipstick look good on you, the same way it does in the tube? It's usually not the color that you saw in the tube that looks bad (otherwise, you wouldn't have bought it!), but the underlying or undertone color in the lipstick that shows its true colors after you've applied it.How can you tell what your undertone color is? Run a tester lipstick onto a piece of white paper (we do this for photo shoots all the time to find the right color, because on film, those undertones can seem off), and look: What color do you see besides the main shade? It's easier to see on white paper, but harder to see on skin tone... until it's too late.What are you looking for? For example, let's take your favorite brown-toned lipstick.The basic lipstick undertones that you might see would be:

Red/pink

Makes the color seem warmer, but harder and deeper as well. Can also bring out all the red tones in your skin as well, so be careful!

Yellow/orange

Makes the color warmer, and softer. Looks great on warm skin tones, but if you're really pale, can bring out the green/blue undertones in your skin. To be on the safe side, go towards the yellow side, rather than the orange. Too much orange can make skin look gray and sluggish.

Green/blue

A way to make a lipstick more dramatic -- deeper. Try to stay clear of these if possible, they can make you look like you're still standing under fluorescent lighting.

Silver/gray

Adds shimmer, softness, depth. Easy to spot in those light shimmer lipsticks that are so popular now. Adds light and softness to the lipstick, just make sure that it's not too much on the blue/gray side -- that can make those under eye circles stand out.

Green

Huh? Green? Yep, sometimes. The trendy colors have them, and it's usually paired with a yellow tone as well. You'll look cool and hip, but you'll also feel as if you need more color on your face. (Hint: that's why the big blush trend is also prevalent... just check out the lip color!)

The lipstick rule

Whatever skin color you have that you don't like (like blue or gray under eye circles, redness, pink, etc.), try not to copy in your lipstick color or undertone as well. It's like wearing a red dress with sunburn -- it just makes the problem appear worse than it is.More lip-tastic tips:

• Help your lipstick last all day
• Pucker up: Tips for the sexiest, plumpest lips
• Get rid of dry, cracked, chapped lips