For many people, finding the perfect lipstick can be a bit of a challenge and especially overwhelming when you are at a beauty counter and have about a hundred shades staring at you, “Pick me, pick me!”

I love lipsticks and believe every woman should own at least one amazing lipstick, even if you usually only wear a lipgloss or lip balm.

Why do I love lipsticks so much?  I believe lipstick is a total style accessory such as a beautiful cocktail ring or a stunning handbag.  It really expresses your personality, style, and even what mood you are currently in, all in a single swipe.

Here is a set of guidelines to follow for the next time you are faced with a sea of lipsticks without any sense of direction.  Sometimes it can be really hard to choose a shade on your own,  but if you know what exactly to look for, you can go to any makeup counter with confidence!

1-  TEXTURE

Lipsticks come in various textures which will allow for them to look and feel very different.

*  Matte:  These are completely shine free.  Your lips will have a more dry looking finish (rather than shiny) and typically last longer throughout the day than any other lipstick texture.  Matte lipsticks are usually very pigmented meaning you can expect a very good color payoff.

* Sheer: These lipsticks have very little color payoff and usually allow for your natural lip color to shine through.  The finish is usually glossy and sort of feels like you are wearing a chapstick or lip conditioner because it feels very lightweight (as if there is nothing on).  The is ideal for someone who does not want to feel like there is much on the lips and does not want a ton of color.

* Creamy: These lipsticks feel exceptionally smooth on the lips because it has the most moisture.  These lipsticks also have great color payoff and best for people that have drier lips.

* Frost: These lipsticks always have a high shine with a metallic finish.  The color payoff can vary but almost always has more pigmentation than a sheer lipstick.

2- INSENSITY

In color theory, intensity refers to the saturation and brightness of a color.  Meaning when choosing a lipstick, it’s good to consider how bright you want the color to be. Although red may seem like the brightest color, depending on its intensity, certain reds are not as bright as others.

3- VALUE

In color theory, value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.  Choosing how dark or light a shade is usually determined by a person’s personal comfort level and personal taste. I believe it is good to have a variety of dark and light shades because depending on the overall look of the makeup, it is good to have both options available.  Plus, it is great to be able to mix different shades and having both light and dark colors allows for you to do this more easily.

4- COLOR FAMILY

Determining a color family can narrow down the lipstick process tremendously.  This simply means picking a general lipstick color such as:  brown, pink, plum, coral, or red. Once you choose a specific color family, you can then examine all the different shades within it.

5- OCCASION

Are you going to a special event where you want your lips to pop?  Or are you looking for an “everyday” shade that you can wear all the time?  Keep in mind that depending on where you are going or what occasion this is for, your lipstick choice could vary.

6- SKIN / HAIR / EYES

It is important to consider your skin tone, hair, and eye color when choosing your best personal lipstick shade.  This is something that you may not have a good eye for initially, so it is always good to ask for a second opinion from a friend or a makeup professional that can give you recommendations on shades that will best suit your personal coloring.

7- EYESHADOW

I mention this only because I find this to be extremely crucial in coordinating the right lipstick to complete a look.  It is important to always think about the overall look you are trying to achieve with the makeup.  If you are wearing a smokey eye, usually you want the lips to be soft.  If you are wearing very little eye makeup, you may want to make your lips be the main focal point in which your lipstick choice can afford to be more bold.

8 – PERSONALITY

This basically refers to your personal taste and what colors you are most drawn to.  I know for myself, I am into style which allows for me to be more experimental with my lipstick choices.  Sometimes I like to be bold, other days I may want a more minimalist look to my makeup.