Beauty

7 Lipstick Shades That Will Make Your Teeth Look Whiter

Wearing your favorite lipstick doesn't have to come at the expense of your pearly whites.

By Simone Sydel3 min read
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Shutterstock/Makistock

No matter how flattering they look on your skin tone or how well they complement your outfit, some lipsticks can draw attention to yellowing teeth. This happens because some shades don't reflect light as well, and due to their warm undertones, they will actually emphasize the warm tones in your teeth.

On the other hand, there’s a wide variety of lipstick colors that can make your teeth look whiter due to their cool-toned shades that reflect light and essentially counteract any yellow tones in your teeth. So if you want to show off your dazzling smile and rock a standout lip at the same time, consider trying out some of the following shades:

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1. Rosy Pink

Rosy pink is a beautiful color that perfectly complements a minimalistic day look when you want something a little more popping than a nude or a gloss without being too extra. Plus, cool, rosy pinks can also make your teeth look whiter, so it's a win-win.

Product To Try: Armani Beauty – Lip Power Satin Lipstick in 'Desire,' $39

2. Blue-Toned Red

Reds can be bright or dark, but they must have a cool undertone to make the teeth look whiter. So when choosing a classic red lipstick, opt for one with a blue undertone to make sure your smile looks its best, and stay away from warm reds, such as anything with orange undertones, as these have the ability to make your teeth look yellow.

Product To Try: Fenty Beauty – Stunna Lip Paint in 'Uncensored,' $26

3. Cool-Toned Nude

Not all nudes are the same, and some have a cool undertone that can really help make your teeth look brighter and cleaner, while others may complement skin with a warmer undertone but can make the teeth look dull. Cool-toned nudes are your perfect choice if you want to keep the attention on that radiant smile, so opt for anything with a light pink or grey base for the best results.

Product To Try: Merit – Signature Lip in 'Baby,' $23

4. Peach

Peach, although belonging to the orange color family, which falls on the warm side of the color wheel, is a moderately warm color that’s not as drastic as a true orange or coral. This means, when choosing the right shade of peach for your lip color, you can get an incredibly flattering result that can make your teeth look brighter and perfectly set off your smile.

Product To Try: Rare Beauty – Kind Words Matte Lipstick in 'Creative,' $20

5. Berry

With a hint of purple and blue, berry is a cool-toned shade that can look incredible when paired with a bright smile, as it can give your teeth a natural whitening effect. Plus, it comes in various shades, from frosted to berry-red and even deep burgundy hues that beautifully complement an evening glam look. Since berry can be a rather intimidating color, especially when it comes to lipsticks, opting for a lip tint can be the perfect middle ground that will help you rock this chic shade without looking over the top.

Product To Try: Dior – Addict Lip Tint in 'Natural Berry,' $38

6. Plum

Unlike brighter purples, plum is warm and colorful while remaining inviting and soft. As such, plum-colored lipsticks are a great choice that will make your smile look brighter due to perfectly contrasting the light color of your teeth.

Product To Try: Pat McGrath – Matte Trance Lipstick in 'Deep Orchid,' $39

7. Muted Brown

Things can get a little tricky when it comes to browns; however, if brown is one of your favorite lip colors, you can definitely find one that won't sacrifice the brightness of your smile. The trick is to opt for a cooler, muted brown rather than a rich brown or deep chocolate. That way, you can have the perfect brown hue that won't take away from your smile.

Another tip that works better if you have fair skin would be to line your lips with a cool, muted brown lip liner and apply a sheer gloss over it. If you have deep or dark skin, however, you can easily pull off a full brown lip. Just make sure your chosen lipstick has a cool undertone that will make your smile look brighter.

Product To Try: Bobbi Brown – Crushed Lip Color in 'Cocoa,' $32

Closing Thoughts

The next time you notice your teeth looking a bit dull, don't exclude the possibility that your lipstick could be the culprit. And with such an incredible variety of shades to choose from that can make your teeth look brighter and whiter, there is no excuse not to find the perfect lip color for you!

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