These 5 Lipstick Colors Look Good on Everyone, According to Celebrity Makeup Artists

We'll take one of each.

Rebecca Norris

Published: Apr 10, 2024

By now you’ve likely seen the many, many social media posts dedicated to the intersection of fashion and color theory. Colors (and their undertones) don’t solely impact style, though. Just as the color of your clothes can make your features stand out, the right lipstick can make your pout pop. It’s all about finding the perfect shade—or opting for a lipstick that looks good on everyone.

“Choosing a universally flattering lipstick comes down to a few different factors that can help you find the right pick,” says celebrity makeup artist and Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member Mat Wulff. “Undertones, color intensity and, most importantly, personal preference will all play a role in choosing a flattering shade.”

To make it easy on yourself, though, Wulff says to stick to the five universal lipstick colors: rosy pinks, berry tones, classic reds, peachy nudes and neutral mauves. To save you from bee-lining to your nearest Sephora or Ulta and swatching out the wazoo, ahead, Wulff and celebrity makeup artist Robert Sesnek reveal their recommendations for lipsticks that look good on everyone.

Featured Experts

Matt Wulff is a celebrity makeup artist and Ulta Beauty Pro Team Member
Robert Sesnek is a celebrity makeup artist

Universally flattering lipstick shades

Rosy Pinks

According to Wulff, rosy pink lipstick shades are the perfect pick for a healthy-looking, naturally-flushed pout. “With so many undertone options, rosy pinks make for an easy choice for many skin tones,” he explains.

Since rosy pink lipsticks are renowned for their natural-looking flair, they’re often best served sheer (matte lipsticks look less lived-in). Below, find three sheer rosy pink lipsticks that never fail.

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Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Satin Lipstick in the shade Millennial ($26)

Over 185,000 Sephora shoppers agree that the Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Satin Lipstick is a must-try with its soothing and moisturizing sunflower seed oil, raspberry oil and papaya extract formula. The Millennial pink shade, in particular, is one of the most flattering hues.

BUY NOW – $26

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Kulfi Heirloom Satin Lipstick in the shade Ghazal Glow ($30)

This satin-finish pale pink lipstick is the perfect pick for those looking for a sheer wash of color that’s hydrating and comfortable for hours of wear.

BUY NOW – $30

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Glossier Ultralip High Shine Lipstick with Hyaluronic Acid in the shade Portrait ($20)

For a high-shine rosy pink pout, reach for the Glossier Ultralip High Shine Lipstick in the shade Portrait. Infused with hyaluronic acid, it will deeply hydrate lips while imparting buildable color. Suffice to say, it’s no surprise this lipstick has racked up over 207,000 likes at Sephora.

BUY NOW – $20

Berry Tones

For a darker lip look that leans more natural in tone, Wulff says to reach for berry tones. “Deep plums and raspberry shades can flatter skin tones from deep to fair,” he explains. “Choosing a buildable formula can help you control the color intensity to build up if needed.”

Below, peruse a few of Wulff and Sesnek’s must-have berry lipsticks.

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MAC Lipstick Cream in the shade Amorous ($23)

Wulff recommends MAC Lipstick Cream in the shade Amorous for its “pinky, brown-toned cranberry with great full coverage,” he says. In addition to its buildable coverage, the satin lipstick is smooth and breathable, making it a dream to wear all day long.

BUY NOW – $23

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MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Moisturizing Matte Lipstick in the shade Wild Rebel ($28)

For a rich, wine-stained lip look, Wulff recommends the MAC Powder Kiss Velvet Blur Slim Moisturizing Matte Lipstick in the shade Wild Rebel. A single swipe proves to be both deeply hydrating and impressively bold, but Wulff ensures us it’s buildable for an even deeper lip look if desired.

BUY NOW – $28

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Clinique Almost Lipstick in the shade Black Honey ($25)

Wulff and Sesnek (who works with Hailey Bieber, Adriana Lima and Amandla Stenberg, among other A-listers) agree that the Clinique Almost Lipstick in the shade Black Honey is one of the very best berry lipsticks on the market. “I have used this shade to key a show for fashion week and can say it works on every skin tone from the fairest to the deepest of skin tones,” Sesnek exclaimed. “Literally was floored how well it worked on everyone.”

BUY NOW – $25

Classic Reds

There’s nothing more classic than a flashy red lip. While some people will make you believe that the rich shade is too showy, we’re proven again and again on red carpets and in real life that that’s simply not the case. Instead, red lipstick is a surefire way to look instantly put together, ready to take on the day. In terms of which red to choose, Wulff says to opt for the middle ground. “You want to choose something in the middle—not too warm or cool—to add a bold statement to your look,” he explains.

Ahead, find three of Wulff and Sesnek’s most beloved reds for anyone and everyone.

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MAC M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in the shade Ruby Woo ($25)

MAC’s Ruby Woo is one of the most iconic red lipsticks of all time—and it’s a must in both Wulff and Sesnek’s kits.

“This is a red carpet staple,” Sesnek says. “It’s been around for over twenty years, however, every time I use this color on a client, I’m still surprised at how timeless, modern and chic it is. It’s a blue-toned red, but surprisingly, it works on everyone. I’ve never seen it look bad on anyone, which is surprising because it looks quite bold in the tube, but depending on how it’s worn can be quite a softer look if everything else makeup-wise is toned down.”

BUY NOW – $25

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Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in the shade Cinematic Red ($35)

Matte lipstick gets a bad rap for being drying, but Wulff assures us that the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in the shade Cinematic Red is anything but. “It’s a hydrating lipstick with great, bright color,” he says, noting that the tone looks great on everyone.

BUY NOW – $35

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Fenty Stunna Lip Paint in the shade Uncensored ($29)

If you prefer liquid lipstick, Sesnek suggests the Fenty Stunna Lip Paint in the shade Uncensored. “It’s another red that works on everyone,” he exclaims. “This would be more of a neutral red that is neither too warm [nor] cool in tone. Besides its amazing color, this lip paint dries down and lasts forever; its texture [goes] on like a lip cream/paint, and once it’s on, it’s on.”

BUY NOW – $29

Peachy Nudes

If you prefer soft, natural-looking lip shades, Wulff suggests adding a peachy nude lipstick to your collection. While the color leans warm, it looks great on everyone, he says. “These shades are great because they instantly add warmth to the face and come in a wide range of undertones,” he explains.

To give peachy nude lipstick a try, consider any of the cult-favorite lipsticks below.

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Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Kind Words Matte Lipstick in the shade Creative ($20)

This creamy matte lip formula is adored by over 225,000 Sephora shoppers, so you know it’s good. The shade Creative is a muted peachy nude that swipes on for a buttery, natural-looking lip.

BUY NOW – $20

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PAT MCGRATH LABS SatinAllure™ Lipstick in the shade Venusian Peach ($30)

For a dewier-looking peach nude lip, check out the PAT McGRATH LABS SatinAllure Lipstick in the shade Venusian Peach. The soft cream lippie is infused with nourishing passion fruit extract and anti-aging botanical collagen for a bouncy, youthful-looking pout.

BUY NOW – $30

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Valentino Rosso Valentino High Pigment Refillable Lipstick in Soft Sienna ($45)

Say hello to soft, satin, peach-toned lips with the Valentino Rosso Valentino High Pigment Refillable Lipstick in the shade Soft Sienna. Formulated with the brand’s Roma-Light Complex, the lipstick is designed to be light reflecting, giving your pout an almost glowing allure.

BUY NOW – $45

Neutral Mauves

For a more midline nude lipstick, Wulff says to reach for mauve. “If you’re looking for a subtle hint of color, neutral mauves are a great universally flattering color option, especially shades with neutral undertones,” he points out.

Intrigued by a neutral lip? Wulff and Sesnek reveal their favorite mauve lipsticks, below.

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Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in the shade Pillow Talk ($35)

Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk collection is one of the most adored makeup collections of the modern day. What started as the perfect lipstick shade has transformed into mascara, eyeliner, blush, highlighter and eyeshadow options. Thanks to its mass popularity, it’s no surprise Wulff says that the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in the shades Pillow Talk and Pillow Talk Medium are two of the most universally flattering neutral mauves on the market. Where the OG Pillow Talk works especially well for fair, light and medium skin tones, Medium looks fabulous on medium and dark skin tones.

BUY NOW – $35

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Prada Monochrome Hyper Matte Lipstick in the shade B05 FAUVE ($50)

ICYMI, Prada Beauty launched earlier this year, and Sesnek says that the brand’s Monochrome Hyper Matte Lipstick in the shade B05 FAUVE is already a must-have mauve in his kit. “This shade is so universal on everyone,” he says. “I would consider this a much deeper nude, almost a naturally bitten shade. The texture is luxe and opaque with one swipe—I think it’s the simplicity of this shade because it’s more than nude and less than red but manages to work on everyone. Because it is Prada, the price point may be a little high, but the texture, ingredients, color and longevity make it worth it.”

BUY NOW – $50

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PAT McGRATH LABS MatteTrance Lipstick in the shade 1995 ($39)

This dark mauve lipstick by PAT McGRATH LABS is one of Wulff’s go-tos for a moody nude lip look. “It’s a creamy formula that creates a soft pout,” he says.

BUY NOW – $39

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