From Bold Reds To Natural Nudes—The Most Flattering Lipstick Shades For Indian Skin Tones

Written by Lopa K15th Jul 2024
From Bold Reds to Natural Nudes—The Most Flattering Lipstick Shades for Indian Skin Tones

There’s no one-size-fits-all shade for Indian skin tones. Our skin tones are as diverse as our culture, so finding that perfect match can be tricky. If you’ve been relying on international influencers and Hollywood stars for lipstick recommendations, you might not have had much luck. 

To make things easier, we’re putting together a list of the best lipstick shades that flatter all Indian skin tones, no matter where you fall on the spectrum. And yes, we’ll also be getting into how to find your ideal nude shade.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Priyanka (@priyankachopra)

Lipsticks That Suit Indian Skin Tones 

Lipsticks can make or break a look depending on how light or contrasting they are with the rest of your makeup and outfit. With all of us having different skin tones, there are some colours that may not work for everyone. If you have a dusky complexion, it can often feel like a struggle to find a flattering nude lipstick. Or that perfect blood-red lipstick that all your friends are raving about may look way too dark if you are on the fairer side. But worry not – we have searched high and dry to find the best lipstick shades that can work on all Indian skin tones. 

red lipstick

Shades of Brown   

When in doubt, go with brown. Whether you are on the lighter or the darker side of the skin tone spectrum, brown shades are beautiful on most skin tones, especially ones with a warm undertone. Lakmē Absolute Beyond Matte Lip - Brown Beauty is one of the best lipstick shades for dark skin as it is not too dark or not too light to make your lips look ghostly. And if that wasn’t enough, it has a warm undertone which can make it the perfect nude shade for some of us dark-skinned girlies.   

Wine, Berry and Maroon Lipsticks

While wine and berry shades have hints of pink, maroon heads in the direction of red. All these shades are rich and look stunning against brown skin. In fact, maroon has been a staple for Indian women for decades. If you are looking for the right one, we'd suggest the Lakmē Xtraordin-airy Lip Mousse - Crimson Sky which is just the right intensity of colour – not too dark or too light. 

red lipstick

Purple Lipstick   

Purple is another evergreen colour that looks good on all Indian skin tones. However, it can be tricky if you don’t pick the right shade. But that’s what we’re here for. The trick is to find a dark purple with a cool undertone if you don’t want to fall into the light mauve territory. We’d suggest the purple shade from the Lakmē Xtraordin-airy Lip Mousse range called ‘Dark Cherry’ which is one of the best lipstick shades for Indian skin. This matte lipstick has a feather-light formula that’s super creamy and comfortable to wear.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Ananya 🌙 (@ananyapanday)

Shades of Pink Lipstick   

Are you tired of all the beauty gurus telling Indians to stick to magenta shades? Well, there’s more to pink than magenta. The Lakmē Absolute Beyond Matte Lip in the shade ‘Pink Power’ is a fail-safe option, as it was created for Indian skin tones. Whether you choose to wear it as a light wash for a more muted, blush pink lip, or wear it at its full opacity, a swipe of this shade is all you need to channel your inner Barbie.

red lipstick

The Classic Red

Still haven’t found your perfect red? We highly recommend trying the Lakmē 9 to 5 Matte to Glass Liquid Lip - Vintage Red. It’s a perfect neutral red that’s not too fluorescent or too dark and really does suit all Indian skin tones. Make your lips the highlight of your whole look with this matte red lipstick. And if you are in the mood for a dewy finish, this lipstick also comes with a gloss to instantly switch up your makeup! 

Finding the Perfect Nude Lipstick for You 

Finding just the right nude lipstick for dark skin can be a chore, especially if you don’t know what to look for. If you have been jealous of dusky beauties like Priyanka Chopra and Bhumi Pednekar sporting the perfect nude shade, now so can you. Here’s what you should bear in mind: 

  • The perfect nude shade will be at least half a shade darker than your natural skin tone. Choosing something with a warm undertone is also a good bet.  

  • If you want a perfectly defined, opaque nude lip, choose a lipstick that’s highly pigmented. This is especially important if you have naturally dark or two-toned lips.  

  • Alternatively, you can reach for a nude lip liner to wear under your lipstick. 

  • Avoid shades that are lighter than your skin colour.  

  • Look for lipsticks with pink or mauve tinge only if you have a cool undertone. If you’re on the warmer side, nude shades with a peachy undertone are what you need.  

FAQs on Lipsticks for Indian Skin Tone  

How do you pick the right lipstick shade?  

The best way to pick the right lipstick shade is to try it on. But if it's not allowed due to the shop policy, your next best option is a swatch test on the inner side of your wrist, under natural lighting. If you are shopping online, check reviews and swatches of users with the same skin tone as you or use the virtual try-on feature.  

What are the best lipstick shades for dark skin?  

Rich shades of brown, berry and maroon are particularly beautiful on darker skin. If you’re looking for a nude, choose something that’s one shade darker than your natural skin colour. 

Will nude lipstick look good on dark skin?  

Contrary to popular belief, nude is not a shade but a makeup trend. There is no one ‘nude’ colour that works for all skin tones. The whole idea behind this trend is to apply lipstick that makes it look like you are not wearing any lipstick at all. So, if you do find a lipstick that is close to your skin colour, it will be considered your nude lipstick shade and of course, it will look good on you.  

Finding the best lipstick shades for Indian skin isn't as tough as it seems once you know what to look for. It's all about experimenting with various hues and undertones until you discover the ones that seem like they were made just for you. 

Lopa K

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