The best lipstick colours for fair skin

Pale girls have it rough when it comes to finding a lipstick for fair skin. I know enough women with alabaster, fair and lily-white complexions to know how hard it can be to find lipstick shades. The sun is your absolute worst enemy, a foundation is only is as good as its ability to conceal your freckles (PS: please don’t feel like you need to cover those. They’re cute and they’re you, so let ‘em shine), and there are some colours of clothing and makeup that will just never, ever, EVER look good on you.

And that whole colour thing sometimes means that you shy away from pigmented lipsticks because they are just way too scary and bold. But you don’t have to, you just need to find the best lipstick colours that’ll flatter your complexion and work with your features.

We’ve rounded up the most flattering lipstick for fair skin, so you can wear colour without a care in the world! Here are nine lipstick shades that look amazing on pale girls.

RELATED: 9 of the best bronzers

FOR AN EVERYDAY LOOK

The most flattering lipstick for fair skin

If you want a lipstick that you can wear to work, to lunch, or even to the shops without feeling like you’re making too much of a statement, try something light, natural, and subtle – just make sure your lipstick isn’t an exact match of your skin tone.

Light browns and nudes can work well if you’ve got a bit of a darker eye look going on, while a neutral that’s a hint darker could work well with any makeup look. When in doubt, you can always look for a lip colour that’s about one or two shades darker than your natural lip colour.

bh loves: Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Beige, Avon True 24K Gold Lipstick in 24K French Rose, Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lip Color in Born With It

FOR SOMETHING WITH A BIT MORE PUNCH

The most flattering lipstick for fair skin

If you want to add a bit more colour into your makeup look but don’t want to look too OTT, pinks, corals and peaches are a great option.

A matte, light pink lipstick will give your pout a hint of colour while still complementing your skin tone. If you’re on vacation and get a hint of tan, a Barbie-pink lipstick works well against a slightly bronzed complexion. If you want to go for lipstick that’s more coral, why not? Pair it with a slight coral flush on your cheeks and you’re golden.

bh loves: Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipsticks in Bad Bad Girl, Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Ringa Ringa Roses, Innoxa Couleurs D'ete Summer Matte Collection in Baby Doll

FOR A LOOK THAT POPS

The most flattering lipstick for fair skin

Fair-skinned ladies don’t have to avoid bright and bold lipsticks like the plague. In fact, they should embrace them, because they can look absolutely glorious against lighter skin.

For a popping finish, try a true red and pair it with lashings of mascara. You could also try a wine or burgundy shade if you’re up for going really bold, and finish it off with a sheer, gold eyeshadow.

And if a statement-making pink is what you’re after, try a bright fuchsia-meets-pink lip colour and add some pink to the apples of your cheeks to finish the look.

bh loves: Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Red Door Red, Revlon ColorBurst™ Lacquer Balm in Whimsical, ulta3 Moisturising Lipstick in Winter Plum

Do you have fair skin? Which lipstick shades are your favourite?

203 Member Comments

S-P 24 Oct 2020 8:48 PM

I have fair skin and find that pinks suit me best.

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Rose_P 16 Aug 2019 10:10 AM

My absolute favourites in my collection at the moment are Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in colour Petal (Sephora) and Bare Minerals Radiant Lipstick in Tutu (Mecca). They both suit my fair skin. The Fresh one is fantastic. It’s actually a tinted lip balm. Highly recommended. I’ve had it for a while now and I’m loving it.

ThisIsMe 31 May 2019 12:19 PM

Not a fan of the red but all the others look nice.

MoonlightSak16 9 Apr 2019 5:23 PM

I would love to know lip shaded that would suit darker skin. I always opt for berry tones or darker colours.

Lucy16 12 Nov 2018 9:07 AM

I have dark skin but I find painting on a good lippie is like getting a new haircut!

MelissaFay89 22 Oct 2018 5:36 PM

This is exactly what I needed :D

Tigerlily 22 Oct 2018 9:25 AM

I love rosy pinks, peachy pinks and corals. I’m not confident enough to wear brighter pops of colour.

shaper 21 Oct 2018 3:59 PM

I much prefer a light shade as I have very fair skin and am not so young any more. A matte pink or slightly red one for me. Great article though.

Ethelinde 20 Oct 2018 12:09 PM

I've been wearing darker shades of red lately but still trying to be bold enough to try a really bright red.

Chrystalage 17 Oct 2018 1:09 AM

I can wear red lipstick but with my skin tone I look best with cool shades of red or red with blue tones. Reds with yellow tones clash with my skin

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Beautybabe140194 16 Oct 2018 11:12 PM

I have fair skin. My favourite lipsticks are red and pink.

Viki J 16 Oct 2018 7:12 PM

I am super ghostly and nudes are a complicated one, the more pink in it the better for me otherwise it just looks like ghost central. But other than that, luckily enough a lot of colours suit pale skin and I really think it's personal preference most of the time.

My absolute go to favs that I have discovered over the years are: MAC - Russian Red (the most glam and flattering red ever!!) Jeffree Star - Designer Blood (think burnt red) MAC - Coral Bliss (for that peachy perfect, summerly look) YSL - Rouge Volupte Shine in 15 (my lips but better shade)

I also love the NYX Butter Gloss in Creme Brulee as a my lips but better nude gloss. I also loveeee deep purple lipsticks but I am yet to find my go-to formula.

Chicklet 16 Oct 2018 2:25 PM

Nice suggestions, although I’d never be able to work a lighter brown or nude shade as suggested.

Belindarella 16 Oct 2018 2:01 PM

I am fair! I love the idea of nudes but I just look ridiculous.. washed out & like I have no lips at all! My must have make up is a tinted lip balm.. perricone no make up is best for me..

onlyoni 15 Oct 2018 9:06 PM

I usually wear plums, pinks, fuchsia and a mix of those shades, and every now and then I'll wear red.

Anyway, we were going out to a party and I wore an eye popping wine lipstick which I thought looked just dandy. Hubby decided to give his opinion - "you look like Coco The Clown" to which I replied "at least I'll make everyone smile".

Hayley644 15 Oct 2018 8:22 PM

I have relatively fair skin and I don't think red lipstick suits me at all.

Viki J 16 Oct 2018 7:16 PM

There are a lot of different undertones out there for red lipstick, maybe you just haven't found the right one yet that flatters your skin tone. I think red lipstick looks great on us ghosts, so it may just be a personal thing if you don't like the look of it, I bet others would say it looks great! :)

2663anne 15 Oct 2018 7:46 PM

Plums work best on my fair skin, nudes look like I’m a corpse.

BlueBite 15 Oct 2018 5:45 PM

I think people with pale skin can literally go with any shade.

Seashells 16 Oct 2018 9:48 AM

Not really, sadly. As someone who is both cool-toned & fair, I can't wear most nudes as I look like a cadaver. I can do a pinky nude, but that's about it. I generally sport some shade of pink lipstick, whether it be bold or muted; but I also wear plum, berry & blue-based red too if I feel like being bolder.

ray_jay 17 Oct 2018 10:31 AM

I think it completely depends on your undertone. I am fair / light skinned toned too but I have a neutral undertone so I can wear all. Otherwise I agree with you.

BlueBite 17 Oct 2018 2:40 PM

I have to say that so far, the only shades that haven't worked out for me are the pale pink shades. They make me look too tanned for some reason.

Nys Silver 15 Oct 2018 4:41 PM

I think Mac's Faux and Spirit are great shades for a pop on pale skin without being too dramatic

Miss19 15 Oct 2018 3:58 PM

I love that peach shade Emma Stone is wearing

Affy92 5 Jul 2018 10:17 AM

I feel like pale skin can pull off any lip colour. Everything shits them!

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