[bronzeager]

Hi everybody, I am a dork. And I need some new lipstick. Are you good at makeup? Do you like a challenge?

I don't usually wear makeup, partly because almost any kind of makeup seems to give me hay-fever symptoms (especially makeup around the eyes) and partly because I'm really no good at it, especially in picking out colors. But I have some events in the next month where I kind of have to look like I'm making an effort. I have a friend who usually helps with this, but she's 11 times zones away at the moment and very busy.

I have very pale skin with bluish undertones, and a tendency to flush. My hair is dark blonde, streaking light blonde with sun exposure (I am of Dutch/German heritage, and was white-blonde as a child.) Generally kind of like this guy Prince Pieter-Christiaan (no relation, ha) but with blue eyes. People say I look good when I wear purple, dark green, dark blue and light pink colors.

The lipstick I have right now is a dark berry shade I picked out about two years ago during the winter, and it seems to me it's a bit too dark and not in fashion any more. And where I am in the Middle East it's hot, sunny, and 100 degrees today, so not very wintery. Also it seems like it's bringing out the incipient spider veins/rosacea in my nose and cheeks.

I kind of like this lady's lipstick but don't know what shade it is or whether it would work for me. It might be too orange: http://www.miowear.com/catalog/jackets

Is this your complexion? Can you recommend a brand/shade for me to look at? (They have all the standard makeup brands here, although no makeup counters with helpful ladies.)

[CharlieBaby]

Hi!

I think we may have similar palettes, but here's a link that will definitely be more useful than anything I could think of

http://beauty.about.com/od/plasticsu...t/lipcolor.htm

I usually go with a non-sticky lipgloss, something by Rimmel or MAC. I find lipstick kind of heavy and lipgloss is much lighter.

Good luck!

[MightyMarissa]

Hiya! I'm a bit of a make up addict, so I hope I can help.

With your colours I'd maybe suggest something that didn't have too much yellow in it as it might clash. I'd recommend dusty pinks, things with the lightest hint of brown, pale neutrals. I think mostly muted colours would look great on you. Some lip colours you might like to check out from MAC are Taupe, Brave and Creme In Your Coffee.

It's a bit hard to determine without seeing a picture, but I hope that helps!

If you want some more info about make up and colouring (and to check reviews before you buy) I'd suggest you head over to MakeUpAlley. It's free registration and the boards are really helpful, especially with questions like this.

[bronzeager]

Thanks, specific names are really helpful, since I'm so bad with colors. I'll go out and look for them this weekend.

I can't post my picture here because I don't really want my employer and colleagues tracking me down, but sadly, the older I get, the closer my resemblance to his royal highness above. At least I have Michelle Obama arms now though...

[christinesefton]

A nice neutral rosey pink tends to work for just about any complexion. Anything dark is probably not good, and would probably make you look washed out. Red looks good on just about everyone, but can be tricky to get the exact shade that is right. If it's wrong, you could end up looking like a dead clown.
Have you tried mineral make-up? I've heard awesome things about it, like covering rosacea and spider veins, and being very light and staying put in heat and when you sweat. I've also heard you can dab mineral blush on your lips and it works like lipstick, but without melting and sliding off like gloss.
I also have rosacea, and it sucks. I've been looking for a good makeup that will cover it for a few years now. From what I've seen, mineral makeup may be the way to go.

[Diana3271]

I have tried a variety of lip products and always go back to Clinique. I don't like the taste/smell of lipstick. Clinique's does not have the taste/smell that other ones have. I would go to the Clinique counter at your local department store and have them help you find a color that will work for you.