How Color Analysis Helps You Choose the Perfect Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

HOCAdmin | Read in 4 minutes

Lipstick is one of the most iconic makeup products in history, and it’s a long, colorful history at that. From its earliest use in ancient civilizations, where crushed gemstones and carmine beetles were used to tint lips, to becoming a signifier of strength, resistance and power during the Suffragettes movement and World War II, lipstick has always been more than just cosmetic.

It’s also been embraced by the rich and famous: Marilyn Monroe famously wore a siren red lip, while today, Taylor Swift’s red pout is as adored as her music. Margaret Thatcher’s blood-red lip was a defining part of her iconic image. Even Queen Elizabeth II was often photographed reapplying her Elizabeth Arden lipsticks in shades of red and pink.

Wearing a colorful lip might be something you save for special occasions or even something you shy away from wearing, but after your color analysis with House of Color, wearing the right lipstick for your undertones is an easy, effortless way to start embracing your seasonal color palette.

What Are the 3 Points of Red in Color Analysis — and Why Do They Matter?

In general, all the colors in your seasonal palette are designed to complement both your natural coloring and each other.

If you’re new to color analysis, your ‘season’ refers to a palette of colors that naturally complement your skin tone, hair, and eyes. Each season has three signature lipstick shades — your ‘points of red’ — that are designed to enhance your features and coordinate with your wardrobe.

At House of Color, the 3 points of red are specific categories of red, pink, and coral (or warm red) that are unique to each season. These shades look fantastic on you individually, but they don’t coordinate well with each other, which makes them the exception in your palette. That’s why it’s important to match your lipstick to the specific point of red you’re wearing in your outfit. This ensures color harmony and avoids visual clashes.

During your session, your House of Color stylist will introduce you to the 3 points of red for your season, let you try them on, and explain why having at least three lipsticks in your makeup bag is so useful.

How Wearing the Right Lipstick Enhances Your Outfit

To maximize the appearance of color harmony, when wearing one of your points of red — such as a red, pink, or coral from your season — your lipstick should match that exact point to maintain color harmony.

If you're wearing other colors from your palette, like neutrals, greens, blues or yellows, you have more flexibility and can choose any of your seasonal lipsticks.
For example, if you're wearing Rust in your outfit, pair it with a Rust lipstick. A Coral or Warm Red lip would clash, but that same Rust lipstick will work beautifully with the rest of your seasonal colors.

Having all three points of red gives you the flexibility to match your lipstick to your outfit, avoid color clashes, and always look polished and put-together. It’s the simplest way to make your wardrobe work harder and your makeup feel effortless.

How Wearing the Right Lipstick Enhances Your Skin Tone and Eyes

Wearing your lipsticks in your colors will clear your skin, brighten your eyes and have the biggest impact on how you look and feel, so they are worth persevering with.

If you’d like more help with finding the right shade and exploring more House of Color cosmetic shades, contact your stylist to book a makeup masterclass or color re-rate.

An advanced color session is also a great next step as it introduces you to lots of lovely color combinations for your season and the very best lipsticks to go with them.

The Best Lipstick Shades for Each House of Color Season

Here are the three points of red for each of the seasons along with some lipstick ideas.

During your color analysis, your House of Color stylist may suggest great alternatives to personalize your look. However, these lipsticks are a really good place to start (or to add to your collection if you don’t already have them).

All the lipsticks mentioned are available online or from your local stylist: