Dark lipstick has a way of making a statement without saying a word. A swipe of oxblood, a deep plum pout, a chocolate-brown lip liner moment—suddenly, the look has a whole new attitude. But vampy lips can be intimidating, especially when you’ve tried a shade that just doesn’t seem to work on you. Before you blame the lipstick (or swear off dark lips altogether), consider your undertone. It might just be the missing piece between a shade that sits in your makeup bag and one you can’t stop wearing.
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Warm Undertone
For warm undertones, look for vampy shades with red, brown, brick, or orange-leaning bases. Think warm-toned oxbloods and maroons for a rich, sultry pout; chocolate reds and mahogany browns for ’90s-inspired glam; and deep terracottas or brick browns for an earthy take on the trend. These shades play up the warmth in your complexion while delivering all the drama of a dark lip.
Cool Undertone
For the cool-toned girlies, reach for shades with blue, purple, or berry undertones. Opt for cool burgundies, deep berry reds, and blue-based reds for a classic vampy pout, or muted plums and mauves for something moodier. If you’re more drawn to brown lipstick, try cooler espresso or ash-brown shades with less orange in them. These cooler hues can complement the pink or rosy tones in your complexion while giving your look an edgier finish.
Neutral Undertone
Neutral undertones, on the other hand, offer a little more room to play. Since they tend to sit between warm and cool, both sides of the color spectrum can work, depending on the shade. Try warm mauves, berry reds, classic crimsons, cocoa nudes, and deep browns, experimenting with both warmer and cooler variations to see which you prefer. The beauty of a neutral undertone is the flexibility to move between earthy, rich shades and cooler, more dramatic hues without committing to just one color family.
Of course, finding a lipstick that complements your undertone doesn’t mean you have to follow a strict set of rules. Think of it as a starting point, not a limitation. Swatch the burgundy you’ve been eyeing, give that deep plum a chance, or finally try the chocolate brown sitting in your cart. Beauty is all about exploration and self-expression, after all—and the best vampy lip is the one that makes you feel good wearing it.
Featured Image: DOVE CAMERON (via Instagram)
Art by RAKI LUCAS
Frequently Asked Questions
The right vampy lipstick shade depends on your undertone. Warm undertones suit red, brown, or orange-based shades; cool undertones suit blue, purple, or berry-based shades; and neutral undertones can wear both warm and cool-leaning vampy tones.
Warm undertones are best suited to vampy shades with red, brown, brick, or orange-leaning bases, including warm-toned oxbloods, maroons, chocolate reds, mahogany browns, and deep terracottas, perfect for a rich, sultry pout.
Cool undertones pair well with shades that have blue, purple, or berry undertones, such as cool burgundies, deep berry reds, blue-based reds, muted plums and mauves, or cooler espresso and ash-brown shades.
Neutral undertones have the flexibility to wear both warm and cool-leaning vampy shades, including warm mauves, berry reds, classic crimsons, cocoa nudes, and deep browns, without committing to one color family.
No—the article treats undertone matching as a flexible starting point, not a strict rule. Readers are encouraged to swatch and experiment with different vampy shades, since the best lip color is ultimately the one that feels good to wear.
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