The Best Coral Lipsticks For Fair Skin – Beth Ferguson

If there’s one lipstick color that I can’t wait to pull out when the weather warms up it’s coral. Yes, I love a bright lip all year round, but there’s just something about my coral lipsticks that I love. I guess it truly signifies that warm weather is here for a while.

Coral lipstick is actually one of the easiest colors to pull off. It looks good on most skin tones whether you are tan or not and it goes well with most summer clothing colors. I have learned that going into your favorite makeup counter and asking for a coral lipstick is a tricky question. Corals can range from an orangey-red to an orangey-pink. The can be sheer and soft or they can be bold so you need to be specific about what you are looking for.

I am going to break down how I have learned which shades of coral work best on my fair skin. Just so you know I have cool skin undertones and my lips are naturally quite pink. That is probably due to the fact that I have pink undertones.

If you are a lipstick lover like me, then you may want to read some of my other lipstick posts.

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Best Coral Lipsticks for Fair Skin

So I am going to break down some things to consider and look for in your search for your perfect shade of coral lipstick.

Color Undertones and Fair Skin

Fair skin usually has cool undertones. However, sometimes you can have neutral skin undertones. Knowing your skin undertones will help you so much not only for choosing your makeup, but also your clothing. Once you can match up your undertones you will immediately notice that everything you put on suddenly looks amazing and enhances your natural beauty.

How to determine your skin undertones?

There are two easy ways to help you determine your skin undertones.

• Look at your veins. If they appear green, then you have a warm skin tone. If they appear blue or purple, then you have cool undertones. Can’t tell if they are green or blue, then you have a neutral undertone.
• How does your skin respond to the sun? Do you tan easily (warm undertone) or do you burn easily (cool undertone)? No matter your undertone you should always wear sunscreen. You can read about the best clean face sunscreens here and I even included one just for your lips.

After looking at these two easy ways you still can’t determine your undertone, then click here for a couple of more quick and easy tests.

Formulas and Finishes

We all have preferences as to how we like our lips to feel. Some like a creamy feel to our lipstick while others want all-day staying power. The formula of the lipstick can determine the pigment and the staying power. Once you know your lipstick application preferences it will help you determine which formula is best for you.

When you go shopping for lipstick you will find several categories or formulas of lipstick. Each of the categories has the positives and negatives.

Sheer

Looking for a touch of color and shine? If so, this is the formulation for you. It is usually made with a higher oil content which means that it is less likely to dry out. This is one of the most classic lipstick formulations and is a great choice for everyday wear. Many brands also offer moisturizing versions of this lipstick which is a plus. Be prepared to apply this formula more often because of that.

Cream

Cream lipstick is very similar to sheer lipstick. It glides on easily and provides a balance of texture with just a hint of gloss. Cream lipstick is higher in wax so it has a bit more staying power than sheer lipstick. It can also have nourishing ingredients such as aloe and vitamin E so check your labels.

Gloss

Want to lighten up the lips for the warmer months? Look for a great gloss for this look. They are great to wear when heavily pigmented formula colors are a bit too heavy. Remember that lighter shades of gloss can add a youthful glow to daytime looks. Brighter glosses are made to be worn at parties, evening soirees, and when you want your lips to get some attention.

Matte

Matte is a formula that should be in every woman’s lipstick collection. It is the opposite of the gloss. Matte is a pure color with a smooth, even texture when it goes on your lips. It is not for your everyday look, but for when you want your lips to see and be seen. This formula has greater staying power but can be drying. Make sure you do the prep work before pulling this out. You will want to make sure you use a good lip liner for this formula.

Stain

Lip stains are all about color, minimal shine, and staying power. If you don’t have time to reapply often or don’t like to reapply this formula is for you. Check the ingredients to make sure there are some hydrating elements or stains that can be very drying. Also, be aware that you have to be very careful when applying. It’s not easy to correct mistakes with this type of lip color.

My Favorite Coral Lipsticks for Coral Skin

Now let’s take a look at some of my tried and true favorite coral lipsticks. I am going to break it down by lipsticks, lip glosses, and clean beauty.

Lipsticks

Nars

Nars Orgasm is one of my favorite daytime go-tos in the summer. The lipstick is now in a new formula that is a lipstick with 8-hour hydration. Not only do I wear this iconic lipstick color, but also the blush. Now the blush comes in a multipurpose stick if you prefer a creamy blush, as well as, in a more vibrant shade called Orgasm X in the powder. All of the Orgasm products by Nars are known for their ability to look great on ALL skin tones. This is a must-have for everyone’s coral summer lipstick collection. You can find the lipstick at Nordstrom or Sephora. The blush can also be found at Nordstrom or Sephora.

If you like a brighter coral lip (I do), then you will also want to check out this new shade in the same hydrating formula as my all time favorite.

Charlotte Tilbury

Charlotte Tilbury Coral Kiss is a warm pink coral satin lipstick and a favorite bright coral. It has some blue undertones which will help make your teeth look even whiter. Who doesn’t love that? It also has a coordinating lip pencil for prep. There is also a new shade of coral, Sexy Sienna. This is a true bright coral. The lip pencil can also be found at Nordstrom or Sephora.

Lip Crayons/Big Pencils

Laura Mercier

The Laura Mercier Petal Soft Lipstick is a soft matte lip color that makes your lips petal soft. This hydrating formula comes in two different shades of coral. The Agnes is a pinky coral and the Amelie is a coral pink. You can find both colors at Nordstrom or Sephora.

Nars

The Nars lip pencil is a basically the convenience of a lip pencil that goes on like a lipstick. Just think of the fat jumbo Crayolas we had as kids and that will help visualize this product. I like to wear these pencils when I have a small handbag or traveling with just a belt bag. They are so convenient. The Walkyrie is a warm coral red creme that can be worn many months out of the year.

Lip Gloss

Nars Orgasm Lips Shine Gloss will glide on your lips with mirror like shine. It will provide a little color and keep your lips hydrated for hours.

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss is when I want some true orangey coral color and plumping action. This is so hydrating for hours and has great staying power. You can find it at Nordstrom or Sephora.

It Cosmetics Wink Pillow Lips Solid Serum is always in my purse. It is a soft true coral lip gloss that is SO hydrating. Truly a lip serum/treatment with a little color. It Cosmetics is known for being a skin care company first and foremost and then infuses that into their makeup products. This gloss is not sticky or tacky and will not settle into your fine lines or lip wrinkles. This is a product must have for every woman who has dry, aging, or chapped lips. It is one of the easiest coral lipsticks to keep in your handbag or belt bag for quick touch ups.

Clean Beauty Options

I always like to include some clean beauty brand options in my posts whenever possible. The last few years I have been on a journey to incorporate clean products into my beauty routines.

Westman Atalier has a great Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Hydrating Balm in a soft coral call Nou Nou. I have this product in a pink shade and it is so hydrating and the color is beautiful. I am sure that this soft coral would be great as a stand alone or on top of a pretty lipstick. This brand makes a great multi purpose stick called Baby Cheek Lip and Cheek Stick. The Minette is a luminous peach that would be great with the Nou Nou. You can find the Nou Nou at Sephora and Nordstrom. The Minette can also be found at Sephora or Nordstrom.

THANKS

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by my little corner of the internet. I appreciate it. Warm weather is here so I hope this helped you figure out a great coral lipstick to add to your summer collection. Please let me know if you have a favorite coral lipstick that I missed in the comments below. I’m always looking for a great one to add to my little collection.

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This post was updated March 2024.