Decoder :: The Best Bright Lips For Every Skin Tone

Despite the fact that I love makeup and embrace trying new products with possibly too much vigor, I absolutely sympathize with women that shy away from wearing bright lipstick. First of all, poppy lipstick shades undoubtedly make a big statement — one that can make some women uncomfortable if they’re used to neutral makeup looks. Furthermore, with so many shades and finishes on the market, it can be difficult to find a lipstick soulmate that works with both your style and your skin tone. While I’m afraid that no article I can write can replace the benefit of a good old try-on session at a beauty counter or boutique, I have tried out a fair amount of lippies in my tenure as beauty writer — and, being the makeup obsessive that I am, I’ve gotten a good sense of which shades look best on which skin tones. (Thanks for being my guinea pigs, lady friends!) To help you get started on your own Quest For Lipstick Greatness, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite brights and organized them by skin tone: Fair, Light, Medium, Medium-Dark, and Dark. Take a look through these must-have shades, and let me know which ones you try. Trust me when I say that there’s something about wearing a bright lipstick that somehow makes summer frolicking even more fun!