Fashion: Stand out or go subtle - but know your palette

Choose your colours.

How do you choose a lipstick colour to go with your outfit? I know it seems an odd question but I'm never quite sure if I should match the lipstick to my outfit or my skin.

There's no wrong or right way with this, it's completely down to personal preference and mood of the day. Here are some thoughts:

*Find lipstick that suits your natural colourings.
Regardless of what colour you wear and for whatever reason, it is essential that the colour complements your natural colourings - skin tone, hair and eyes. I had a client whose clothes and makeup colour choices were based on her mother's colourings. Her mother's colourings were the complete opposite to hers.

Knowing your colour palette is really important. I'd suggest booking a session at a makeup store.

*Stand out or go subtle.
Do you want your lipstick to be noticed or would you prefer a more subdued, natural look? When it comes to makeup overall, makeup stylists concentrate on one key area of the face - eyes or lips.

*Complement your outfit:
Choose a lipstick colour that complements and enhances one of the colours from your outfit, perhaps the prominent one. That's not to say that if your jacket is bright blue that you wear a bright blue lipstick, just a magic colour that works with your skin tones and the blue.

*Make a statement.
Go all out and make your lipstick your statement, ahead of accessories or clothing - bold, dramatic colours. If you go with this approach, it is important that your lipstick looks perfect.

*Signature style.
Similar to the point above, some women have their lipstick as their signature style. They generally always wear the same colour and finish. Lorde is one such example, wearing rich, dark, dramatic colours. M.A.C Cosmetics now has a limited-edition Lorde lippy!

Send your questions for Lisa to regionalfeatures@apn.co.nz.

Lisa Lyford is the founder of Gorgeous Me, free DIY personal styling and makeover advice.

www.gorgeousme.co.nz