As soon as the weather crisps up, you’ll find me incorporating brown lipstick into my everyday fall makeup routine, and after years of collecting the shade, I have too many of them to count. From warm-toned hues, to metallic lip colors and brown lip liners, the shade is a lot more versatile than meets the eye. And the best part? “All skin tones and undertones look great with it,” says Kasey Spickard, a professional makeup artist in New York City.
Here, we’re breaking down what to look for when shopping for a brown lipstick, how to choose the right shade based on your undertones and preferences, plus other makeup tips.
The best brown lipsticks, at a glance
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What to look for when shopping for brown lipstick
The makeup artists we spoke to recommend looking for formulas with heavy pigmentation and a long-lasting finish. “I want something rich and unctuous with rich brown tones and a high pigment load (like the consistency of a liquid lipstick). I want the color to be consistent and not patchy, which can happen with a lot of brown lipsticks,” says Spickard.
Brown lipsticks (or glosses) also come in a variety of finishes—matte, glossy, shimmery, or metallic. “It’s also good to keep in mind that lighter, nude browns will give you a more natural finish, while deeper browns, especially those that have a matte finish, make a statement,” says Brielle Pollara, a professional makeup artist based in New Jersey.
How to choose a brown lipstick for your complexion and style
Similar to finding the right complexion products for your routine, finding the right brown lipstick comes down to choosing a hue that will work with your undertones. “Usually the rule of thumb is to pick a cool-toned lipstick if you have a cooler, blue undertone or fairer skin, and opt for a warm-toned lipstick if you have warm or olive undertones and deeper skin,” says Spickard. You can also choose a brown lipstick based on the vibe you’re going for, as a cool-toned hue can give you a nostalgic ’90s finish, while something warmer like a chocolate brown can read more autumnal and rich.
Professional makeup artist Jonet Williamson also offers up a tip if you’re new to wearing brown lipstick: “Opting for shades that can be worn more sheer versus full-on opaque may be a more comfortable place to start, which is why I always recommend Glossier Ultralip in Crest because it’s easy to sheer out, or you can make it more opaque with a few layers—it also suits a ton of complexions.”
How to wear brown lipstick
While it’s completely up to preference on how you want to wear your brown lip, makeup artists have a few thoughts on how they’d style the look. “When I do brown lipstick shades, I like to go toasty brown lids and dark brown liner with a super lashy, full mascara, and individual lashes. I think the monochromatic look makes so much sense with brown lipstick. Think toasty-girl fall,” says Spickard.