Lipstick Colors for African American Women

Lipstick colors for African American women are available in a wide range of beautiful shades just like the women who wear them. Lipsticks are an easy and usually inexpensive way to add color to your face, but if you're wondering which shades would flatter your skin tones the most, there are some tips to keep in mind to make sure you select your best colors.

How do you choose which lipstick colors will look best on you? As for women of any ethnicity, your biggest consideration is your complexion. Because African American skin tones run the full gamut of the color spectrum, keep in mind whether your complexion is light, medium or dark. In addition, the undertones of your skin also have an effect on whether a lipstick really makes your lips pop.

Light

If your skin falls into the lighter range of African American skin tones, these colors will look good on you:

• Pale to deep pink
• Peach
• Taupe
• Red

Medium

For medium-toned skin, experiment with these lipstick colors:

• Red
• Medium to deep pink
• Bronze
• Magenta
• Medium to deep brown

Dark

If your skin is dark and rich, try these shades:

• Deep red
• Fuchsia
• Magenta
• Chocolate brown
• Bronze

Don't think that just because your skin is in the darker range you can't wear colors that look fabulous on lighter skin. Be willing to experiment. While you can't do this with drugstore cosmetics, you can always visit the makeup counter at a department store to test colors. You may find lipstick colors for your skin tone that you never thought you could wear. There are pink and red shades that flatter all skin tones, so even if you thought you could never wear pink, if you find the right shade, you'll see that you can definitely wear it and look great in it.

Wear it Right

Even though women with darker skin tones can often wear bold shades that may overpower fairer skin, keep in mind the occasion and place. No matter what your complexion is, too much gloss and bright lipstick is still a no-no for a regular office environment. Nighttime is the time to wear brighter and more dramatic shades.