I think any makeup lover like myself has gone through this exact situation or something incredibly similar: you see a GORGEOUS makeup shade on someone else but then when you try it on yourself, you quickly realize the shade looks completely different! For the last few months I’ve been researching and collecting a list of make up shades that are said to be universally flattering on every skin tone. This past week I had a little swatch party with two of my friends to test 3 drug store lipsticks to see how they looked on each of our different skin tones! (Thank you Angela and Tie for swatching with me!)
1) Revlon Color Stay Ultimate Suede in Muse ($9.99)
How the shade looks in the package: Hot, bright pink!
Overall impression: The swatches of this shade looked completely different on all 3 skin tones! The shade was bright wine purple with a hot pink undertone when applied on the lighter skin tone. On a tan skin tone, this shade looked more purple/fuchsia. The shade looked the most like it does in the package when swatched on a darker skin tone-bright pink! All these shades were different, but all beautiful! Definitely recommend this lipstick. It’s creamy, pigmented and the color is buildable. Click here to see pictures of this lip color applied on women of different skin tones on Revlon’s website!
2)Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Red Revival ($7.49)
How the shade looks in the package: Deep, true red.
Overall impression: This lipstick is extremely pigmented and took on different variations of deep red on all of our skin tones. The shade was a bright red on the lightest skin tone compared to the darker skin tones. The shade takes on a more maroon shade when applied on the darker skin tones. Overall, I was very impressed with this lipstick! Definitely a high quality drug store product.
3) L’Oréal Infallible 8 Hour Pro Gloss in Sangria ($9.99)
How the shade looks in the package: Orangey-brown with hint of mauvey red with glitter
Overall impression: There is a huge difference between how this shade looks in the tube as it does swatched. The shade looks more orangey-brown with a red/mauve undertone in the tube, and it surprisingly transformed to a pink/mauve shade when swatched. Overall, this shade is lightly pigmented and applies on very sheer. The shade would serve more as a tint for your lips instead of a solid color. This lipgloss comes with a soft bristled, triangle shaped brush.
In conclusion!: There is an endless amount of different skin tones in the world- every single one of them beautiful! It’s amazing to think about how a make up shade can completely transform when applied on different skin tones. Overall, I think that sometimes it’s good to have some guidance on what shades look flattering on your skin tone, but overall- there shouldn’t be any rules on what shades you should wear! If you try on a shade that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and HAPPY, that’s all that matters.
Now I want to hear from you! :
Have you tried any of these shades? Send me your swatches!
Are there any shades that you believe are universally flattering?
What are your favorite shades to wear?
