Tips to Rock Brown Lipstick Like a Pro

By Courtney Leiva | October 11, 2019

There’s no denying that brown lipstick can serve up some amazing beauty looks, and expert makeup artists suggest that this earthy tone can be pulled off by every skin tone with ease.

“Browns tend to suit every tone well, as they instantly warm up the look of the face,” says New York City-based makeup artist Carlina Zacarias.

To arm you with the best brown lipstick hacks, we spoke to makeup artists about all the things to keep in mind when you’re looking for the perfect shade.

Determine the look you want
“Deeper shades of brown are great for a statement look,” says makeup artist Jenna Menard. Wear these tones like you would wear bright red, as you have to commit to making the statement and go with it. “Softer nude brown tones offer a neutral look that’s still on-trend for fall,” she says. And if you want to tone down your lipstick a notch, you can simply combine it with a nude lipstick you already own.

Consider the lipstick texture
“Another factor to think about is texture,” Greenwood says. Stick to more matte formulas if your brown shade is on the darker side. You’ll also want to keep lighter and more golden brown tones looking glossy and hydrated, he adds.

Make sure you have contrast
“If you’re fair, think about a taupe shade, as the cool undertones will serve you well,” says makeup artist Logan Greenwood. Light to medium tones should think about warmer (reddish) brown tones, he suggests, while olive complexions can go with deeper brown shades. Deeper skin tones should look for more medium and golden brown shades for the noticeable contrast you’re looking for.

Look for browns with the right undertone
“Look for a brown lipstick that has either a brick red undertone or a little bit of plum mixed in,” says Cati James, a New York City-based makeup artist. This allows you to still achieve the edgy vibe you’re going for, but that hint of color doesn’t pull out the flush in your cheeks.

Application is important
“Although exfoliating and hydrating your lips is important before color application, I also like using a lip primer to achieve dramatic brown lips,” says celebrity makeup artist Mary Irwin. “Always apply a lip primer or concealer onto your lips before your lipstick,” says makeup artist Gabriel De Santino, creator of Gabriel Cosmetics. This ensures that the color stays on your lips and doesn’t transfer.

Now that you know how to pull off brown lipstick, below are seven must-have shades to stash inside your makeup bag pronto.