How to Choose the Right Lipstick Color

The right lipstick color can brighten your complexion, complement your makeup and make any look feel complete. Explore KIKO Milano’s lipstick collection to discover colors ranging from natural everyday neutrals to rich statement shades.

Start with Your Skin Tone and Undertone

When choosing a lipstick colour, consider both your complexion and undertone. Your complexion may be fair, medium, olive or deep, while your undertone is generally warm, cool or neutral. Rather than following strict rules, use these elements as a guide and choose shades that make you feel comfortable and confident.

Warm undertones are often complemented by peach, coral, caramel, terracotta, orange-red and warm brown shades. Cool undertones may pair beautifully with rose, mauve, berry, burgundy and blue-based red lipstick. Neutral undertones can usually experiment with colours from both groups.

  • Warm undertones: Try peach, coral, caramel, terracotta or brick red.
  • Cool undertones: Explore rose, mauve, berry, plum or blue-based red.
  • Neutral undertones: Experiment with both warm and cool colours.
  • Not sure about your undertone? Compare several shades in natural light and choose the one that brightens your complexion.


Find your undertone

Choose a Lipstick Color for the Look You Want

For a soft everyday look, explore nude lipsticks in beige, peach, caramel or rosy tones. Choose a nude shade that is slightly deeper or warmer than your natural lip colour to avoid making the complexion appear washed out.

Pink lipsticks offer options ranging from delicate rose and nude pink to mauve, fuchsia and berry pink. Soft pinks suit natural daytime makeup, while brighter and deeper shades can add more contrast to evening or occasion looks.

For a timeless statement, choose from KIKO Milano’s red lipstick collection. Orange-red and brick shades create a warmer result, while cherry, berry and blue-based reds offer a cooler effect. Deep red and burgundy shades can bring extra intensity to an evening look.

Nude, pink, and red lipstick

Discover Brown, Nude, Pink and Red Lipsticks

Brown lipsticks can range from soft cinnamon and rosy brown to caramel, mocha and deep cocoa. Lighter brown shades offer a polished everyday option, while chocolate and reddish-brown colours create a richer, more defined effect. Use this simple guide when selecting your lipstick color:



  • Nude creates a natural, polished look that is easy to wear every day. 
  • Pink can create a soft and romantic look or a bright and playful finish. 
  • Red offers a classic, confident and eye-catching look. 
  • Brown creates a warm, sophisticated and richly defined finish.



The finish can also change how a lipstick color appears. Matte formulas usually create a more defined and intense result, creamy lipsticks provide a softer appearance, and glossy finishes reflect light for a more luminous effect.

Brown, pink, nude, and red lipsticks

Test and Apply Your Lipstick Color

If possible, compare lipstick shades in natural light because artificial lighting can change how a colour appears.


Consider the rest of your makeup as well:


A bold eye look may pair well with a softer lip colour, while minimal eye makeup can be balanced with red, berry or deep brown lipstick.


Prepare your lips with balm, then define the contour using a complementary lip liner. Apply the lipstick from the centre towards the corners in thin, even layers. You can also blend two shades to create a personalised color or add gloss to the centre of the lips for extra dimension.

The right lipstick color is ultimately the shade that complements your look and makes you feel confident.


Explore the colour-based lipstick collections from KIKO Milano and experiment with nude, pink, red and brown shades until you find your favourites.

test and apply