How to Wear a Coral Lip

Why is it every summer I only want to wear coral? Between coral tops and dresses, jewelry and wedges, I can’t get enough of this tropical hue, and now all I want to do is wear it on my lips (of course).

I read online that an absurd amount of women love a coral lip, but most them voted that they didn’t think they could ever pull it off and/or they don’t know how to wear a coral lip. If you’re that girl, you have come to the right place.

If you don’t own a coral lip product, head to your closest makeup counter or drugstore and find a shade that fits your skin tone. Blue-based coral hues are universally flattering on all skin tones, not to mention can translate from work to date night. If you are slightly terrified of puckering up to any coral tinted pout, start with a sheer lip gloss or tinted balm.

Here are three tips on how to wear a coral lip:

Use a lip primer and lip liner. Coral is such a bright lipstick shade so applying lip primer will prevent excess color from bleeding outside the lines. If you have naturally flushed lips and you want to get the true pigment out of the lip color, mute it with a nude lip liner or a dab of foundation. Below, I’m using BareMinerals “Marvelous Moxie” Lip Liner in Liberated.

how to wear a coral lip

Keep your blush and eye makeup in the same color family, otherwise your whole beauty look will clash. Gold or copper eye shadow complements a coral lip. For blush, opt for peachy tones or pale pinks.

coral lip makeup

My summer makeup essentials for a coral lip: Stila Cosmetics Pressed Powder, Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal and Clinique Chubby Stick Shadow Tint for Eyes in Ample Amber.

how to wear a coral lip - Politics of Pretty

Apply a lip gloss on top. Dab a little to the bottom of the center of your lips to help tone down the intensity of coral lipstick.

how to wear a coral lip

My go-to summer coral shade, Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya. Oh and in case you were wondering what’s on my nails, it’s Deborah Lippmann in Almost Paradise.

What’s your favorite coral lip product?

Photography by Divya Ooi