I love wearing bold lip color. I don’t do it often, but when I do, I like to go all out. I’ll wear a dark burgundy hue to dinner, a vivid cherry red to a holiday party, and an electric pink on a night out with friends. However, as I, unfortunately, know all too well, there can be an unforeseen side effect of wearing lipstick—that is, your teeth look a bit yellow. Blame it on my incessant coffee drinking (I refuse to start the day without at least one cup), but every so often, I’ll swipe on a bold lipstick only to grimace at my reflection in the mirror. No one—myself included—wants yellow-tinged teeth. While the right teeth-whitening products can certainly help, so can choosing the right shade of lipstick. Yes, really. The shade you choose can either make your teeth look whiter, or do the opposite. To avoid choosing a shade that dulls my smile ever again, I reached out to makeup artists. I wanted to know which specific shades of lipstick they swear by for making teeth look whiter and brighter. And let me tell you right now, their recommendations didn’t disappoint.
First, let’s talk about why each shade of lipstick matters. According to Nick Lujan, Kevyn Aucoin Global Director of Artistry & Education, “Color choice can make a big difference in how bright your teeth appear. It has to do with the color next to and reflecting off your teeth when you smile. It comes down to basic color theory. Opposite colors on the color wheel cancel each other out.” “The three primary colors are red, yellow, and blue,” Lujan explains. “If your teeth are a bit stained (very common), chances are that they appear yellowish. You want to move directly across the color wheel from yellow to spot colors that would work to brighten up when partnered with your smile. In makeup, the goal would be to choose shades of lipstick that contain a bit of blue/purple in their base. Opting for a bold blue red over a terracotta or brick red will be your best bet. You can also use variations of those shades, like a cool-tone pink or mauve.”
Code8 Global Makeup Artist, Sasha Ghodstinat, agrees, saying “If you want the illusion of whiter-looking teeth, wear color with a cooler undertone, a color with more blue than yellow in it. Blue is the opposite of yellow so will make your teeth look whiter and brighter.” On the flip side, the makeup artists recommend avoiding shades that contain yellow as a base, those orangey-reds I love so much (sigh). Lujan references certain brown and coral shades, specifically, since they “can tend to make teeth look a bit dingey.”
Lujan says the finish of this lipstick is a “personal favorite,” thanks to the sheer color it provides with a high-shine effect. As for specific shades, Lujan recommends this cool-toned red, called Fatal.
If you’re more of a pink person, or you’re looking to deviate from classic red lipstick, Lujan also recommends this electric pink color.
Makeup Artist Kristen Fortier loves these lip crayons because they’re highly pigmented and nourishing with a long-lasting satin finish. “My go-to shades for a brighter, whiter smile are Plum Kiss and Acai,” she says.
This dark, cool-toned berry shade is so elegant.
Ghodstinat says this is one of her favorite lipstick shades. “It’s a beautiful fuchsia pink, and not only does it give the illusion of whiter teeth, but it’s also universally flattering no matter your skin tone,” she says. “This a color that will enhance your mood and give you that extra boost, day or night.”
Another favorite of Ghodstinat, she says this one is a “perfect classical red with a blue undertone that is flattering on any complexion. It will give you that brighter smile with an elegant touch and finish to any look.”
Milani lipsticks are so affordable and so good. The formula is smooth and creamy and highly pigmented. This cool pink shade is one of my all-time favorites.
This vibrant blue-based red is so flattering, and it makes teeth look so white in contrast.
“I love how nourishing this texture feels and how much coverage is provided,” Lujan says. This shade, Thelmadora, is stunning. It’s a cool mauve that will definitely make your pearly whites shine.
The only thing better than this cool-toned mauve shade is the moisturizing formula of the lipstick.
This cool-toned berry color is so pretty, and this high-pigment formula offers the prettiest shiny finish.
Lovers of neutral pink will love this cool-toned shade.
Lujan likes this formula because it’s full-coverage and matte, yet still wears comfortably on the lips. This shade, Explicit, comes specifically recommended. (I must say, its soft rosy pink color calls to me.)
This cool-toned rose color is so sophisticated.
If you love brown lipstick, but you don’t love how many of them can make your teeth look yellow, opt for this cool-toned shade.
