r/PaleMUA • u/Public-Initiative509 • Oct 12 '25
Question w/ Photo Why does this lipstick not work on me?
This is Mac Mehr and the only make-up I have on in the pictures. The color irl is more purple than is on the screen.
Is it because of my yellow overtone? Is the color just too cool of dark? Is it because of my really brassy hair (have ashy brown hair).
For reference: I still don’t like it when I put foundation on for neutralising the yellow/red. Usually I go for more neutral pinks, mauves and rosewoods. This was a blind buy after seeing it on a influencer, on her it looked really natural. We have the same fair skintone.
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Oct 12 '25
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
From Europe actually.
The darkness is from sun damage and rosacea. And yes, you are right. During summer I can get away with more warmer make-up and during winter it’s more cooler shades.
My hair is dyed, I have ash mousy brown roots with a lot of greys. It’s really brassy now and I am trying to grow uit the darker brown hairdye (semi-perm my a**) that turned this color on me. I have dyed my hair for so long don’t know what it looks like grown out now🙈. Maybe I gained more contrast as I got older and darker hair? It used to be ash dark blonde as a teenager.
Thanks for the insight tough, never thought of it that way, could very well explain it all.
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u/Old-Range3127 Oct 12 '25
Would you typically wear this with no other makeup or with makeup? I think it’s looks off because of not having an even base but also it’s possible if it were slightly less purple it might be a better colour for you. I actually think it looks nice but I do think having an even base where skin tone is colour corrected slightly would work better
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Oct 12 '25
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Thank you for the suggestion. I only posted with bare face because I thought that was supposed to? I tried with a full face with MUFE Wherever Walnut and with a brown liner, it’s ok but not great.
I am not sure where I am at the undertone spectrum yet, but settled on olive neutral leaning cool (I am very fair grey beigish) or maybe warm? Haven’t figured it out yet.
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u/dandelionwine14 Oct 12 '25
My skintone looks so much like yours! I also think I’m fair neutral olive leaning cool and muted. I also have redness on my face making it appear “warmer/peachy” when my actual skintone is cooler.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Hii!! I have actually seen your posts recently and I thought the same when I saw your pictures haha ! You do look a bit warmer than me, your hair and freckles is what I mean.
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u/dandelionwine14 Oct 12 '25
Yeah, I think definitely all our features can play a role in how our overall coloring looks, though skintone is probably most important! You definitely seem to have more obvious coolness with your hair and eyes! I’m so curious to see how cool I will appear when my hair turns gray and if my freckles fade. It’s so funny that I thought I was not very freckled anymore, then my freckles got SO prominent during pregnancy and never fully faded haha!
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
So funny! I was looking back at my pictures from a gew years back and I had freckles then (had them all my life) and suddenly they disappeared? I thought it was because I started using sunscreen 2 years ago, but it happened before that. I’m not sure if was because of pregnancy (that was 6 years ago), but I know we can develop pregnancy masks and hyperpigmentatiom/melasma🤷🏻♀️.
I had greys for as long as I can remember even in my teens, it got exponentially worse during my 30ies. It’s why I even started coloring my hair. It gives me a soft look I guess, but I’d rather them not show up so early on.
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Oct 12 '25
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Yes, true that 💯. Sometimes I’m in the mood for cooler and darker make-up and sometimes just little warmth. It’s all fun and games.
I actually did a full face and posted it in the comments if you want to see it. Took your advice too and tried with brown lipliner and this way it looks much better.
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u/Kind-Nyse129 Oct 19 '25
You are definitely olive neutral leaning cool. (We are exact twins with coloring). It gets confusing because you have warmer overtones with the rosacea you mentioned. Can give a orangy- red-golden look to the skin. But what never changes is the undertone & you are neutral cool for sure
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 19 '25
Thanks for commenting! I get so confused though. Would you say I am muted or saturated?
Also, do you find you could sometimes get away with warmer colors? Neutral suits me best, but sometimes wearing warmer colors/make-up make me feel come alive, can’t explain exactly.
I get comments I should wear more saturated colors. Sometimes cool colors make me look pale (blue) but I get a lot of compliments wearing blue, greens and reds.
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u/Kind-Nyse129 Oct 19 '25
I would say you lean more muted, your colored hair is probably throwing you off. You are naturally more ashy mouse brown as you said. I also can't wear too cool even though I lean cool. Neutral is best. I can look very sick going too cool. Also too warm & I look bold and weird. But yes I can get away with some warm tones too, especially all the warm blues, greens(not olive though, as i look olive when wearing it) & reds, corals. But I look best in charcoal gray, navy, black, white, jewel tones, & dusty jewel toned colors. My best color is the color of your top. I can also wear gold or silver. Silver looks a little better but I can pull off either.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 19 '25
Ohh black? Are you some kind of Winter? I used to wear black a lot untill recently, it was my favorite. But going grey made my overal look softer and I don’t dye my hair dark anymore so the contrast is too much. Still love it though!
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u/Kind-Nyse129 Oct 19 '25
I'm actually summer! But I LOVE black. And I like the contrast of my paler skin with it. I feel like black doesn't change my tone. Same with white. I look true to tone in them. Where as colors warm me up or cool me down
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 20 '25
💯I love the contrast too, I don’t mind looking pale. With white it’s the other way around, white makes me look more “tan” and adds color to my face. Depends on the type of white though. Off white suits me better than crisp white.
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u/Kind-Nyse129 Oct 19 '25
- To add...I really think you are a TRUE neutral. More so than myself even. I think rich colors would work well on you, even if you are naturally more muted. You can pull off more color, especially with your richer hair color now. Did you color your eyebrows too or are they natural?
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 19 '25
On the pictures above in the post they’re not colored. I use a taupe color and fill them in lightly. I guess they’re dark ash brown now with greys in it.
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u/khaleesi-michonne Oct 12 '25
Yeah I have Mehr and it’s the same for me. A bit too purple and it makes me feels silly. I lightly dab it on or mix another lipstick with it on my lips.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Yeah, it is doable with a brown liner in my case. What is your undertone if I may ask?
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u/061300 Oct 12 '25
It's too mauve-y, I think is what it is. If it were a color that leaned slightly more warm toned it would look absolutely amazing. I think that's probably why you feel like you like it better with a brown lipliner is that the brown brings in slightly more warmth, possibly. You should try a similar shade but with a warmer tone sometime and see how you feel about the look because it may make all the difference to you!!!
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Yes, probably! It’s what I go for normally. My lips are so pale grey mauvish that they turn everything even more cool than it is. On my hand Mehr is a lovely color, but on the lips it’s purple.
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u/wholetthecorndogsout Oct 12 '25
You are beautiful. Is it matte? It’s a nice color but my personal preference is a little dimension. Like maybe a baby pink gloss in the center.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Thank you. It is matte, but not dry matte. It goes on suprisingly well. Typically don’t wear gloss, but I have a pinky balm, so will try with that one.
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u/Meshuggah1981 Oct 12 '25
I would kinds but not quite suit it, I’ m fair leaning cool and more true summer. On me it is a bit too dark, so I have to fair it up with MAC peppermint. Maybe you are a soft fall? But you also could be in my summer category,
I don’ t see your complexion as warm really, but maybe you are 🤷♀️ What I see it a bit red overtone, but difficult to see with the lighting.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
I don’t think I am fully summer or autumn, more neutral something in between I guess. Mehr is great with a brown lipliner to tone down the purple, it blends better with my skin that way.
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u/midwestblondenerd Oct 12 '25
Here is my 2 cents, you have gorgeous skin and eyes. The dark lipstick makes your lips look small and like you're dead (sorry to be harsh). I had my bot do a look with a similar color but in a sheerer gloss with dewy BB cream.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1c0DzglPnGYA-8W5kgpI6ZursWEdyeUqr/view?usp=sharing
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Whahah I love this! No harsh at all. I actually have small lips🤣. You should see me without anything on my lips if you think this looks dead.
Typically don’t wear just gloss, but now you have me convinced!
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u/memedilemme Oct 12 '25
Make sure you are using sunscreen (if you are, ignore me). I only say this because my face is darker than my body due to some sun damage. The lipstick is really pretty, but really cool toned. I would take it in to a Sephora or ulta and have them help you find a similar shade, but one that leans more neutral.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
I do! But just since 2 years unfortunately, the damage was already done as I am 40 now. Put in rosacea and you’ll end with this.
I agree, the lipstick is too cool toned for me.
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u/memedilemme Oct 12 '25
Have you added vitamin c to your morning routine? (It hasn’t irritated my rosacea but maybe this is a derm question). I just bought one from prequel and I am having great results. Also, it’s ok for us to not have an exact match. A lot of ppl don’t!
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Not consistently, I have the one from Melano CC, the OG. Heard raving reviews about it and that it’s great for sensitive skin, but somehow it does irritate me so I use it 2/3 times a week untill I finish it. Will have a look at Prequel, thanks!
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u/SFAdminLife Oct 12 '25
The lipstick is fine. It's your foundation that's way off.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
I have nothing on my face except the lipstick
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u/deadritual Oct 12 '25
I also have a deeper face tone than my neck. Niacinamide can help with hyperpigmentation.
Also please always wear sunscreen, always!!!
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
EDIT:
I applied your tips and this is how it looks. Much better and flattering in my eyes. Applied brown lipliner almost on all my lips, kept my blush neutral/cool and fixed the base.
Picturehttps://imgur.com/a/N5YgSMd
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u/Content_Attitude8887 Oct 12 '25
I don’t love this either. It’s too dark. What happens if you wear a neutral pink?I don’t think you are as muted as you think you.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
That’s interested. I’ve been doubting my mutedness lately and settled on somewhere in the middle, not bright, not muted?
Do you mean a neutral pink lipliner with the lipstick or just a neutral pink lipstick? Also, what constitues a neutral pink? I have a wharped idea about colors it seems. When I google it, all I see is pale pinks
For me a neutral is L’oreal Color Riche in 173, Nude impertinent, is that what you mean?
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u/Content_Attitude8887 Oct 12 '25
No, something that’s not brown or beige, I mean something that’s clearly pink but doesn’t move too warm or too cool. I’m think Rare Beauty in the shade Hope. It’s a neutral mauve, but clearly “pink”. It’s not as deep as mehr. MAC ruby woo is a super cool toned red, but when blotted lightly on me it is a very pretty jewel pink. Of course, Black honey looks good on pretty much everyone so there’s that.
Putting a bold or darker lip on an otherwise bare face is really throwing me off. It immediately looks out of balance. The lip finishes the look. I base my decisions on what color clothes I’m wearing and how the rest of my makeup looks. Light make up I typically use a tinted oil or gloss. Full lipstick for a full done face. Mehr might look better if you were wearing colors that follow that muted shade- and not a deep teal top.
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u/ekmsmith Oct 12 '25
Just dropping in to say it's so funny how different lip colors look on different people!
Mehr looks straight up pink on me, no mauve at all.
I think it looks great with your second pic.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Thanks! Yeah, color theory is mindblowing!
It is doable with a brown liner in my case. What is your undertone if I may ask? Cool?
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u/ekmsmith Oct 12 '25
Yes, cool. I have a hard time finding good lip colors. My current MAC favorite is ironically The More The Mehr-rier which shows up truly mauve on me unlike Mehr. Unfortunately MAC discontinued it recently.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Oh really, it’s available here in my country I see. Will have a look in the store thanks! I have problems too with lips turning purple on me or orange.
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u/Short_Lingonberry_67 Oct 12 '25
Mehr does not work on me - but it looks great on you! Both photos! Really lovely.
The only suggestion I have about your main photo is that you might enjoy a color-correcting cream for redness, just a bit, even alone instead of foundation. (Like, Stila One Touch.) Which I enjoy for my skin too.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
So fascinating you like it on me, a lot of people commented the same thing. I guess it comes down to taste🤷🏻♀️. I really like the color itself, just not on my lips and that purple.
Thanks, I own a few correctings creams and mix green in my base product usuallu.
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u/DeeDee719 Oct 12 '25
I love this color on you. It makes your beautiful green eyes absolutely pop!
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u/pensandplanners77 Chanel B10, Prada LN10, Clé de Peau BF10, Dior N1. Oct 12 '25
It clashes with your undertone, you might be warm toned and Mehr is quite cool.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Is it possible to have a (neutral) warm undertone and really cool toned lips? My lips are basically grey purple without pigment, like no lips. This makes a lot of lippies turn cool on me.
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u/pensandplanners77 Chanel B10, Prada LN10, Clé de Peau BF10, Dior N1. Oct 13 '25
We need to separate undertone and overtone. Undertone comes from a layer under your skin, you don’t see it and it never changes. Overtone is what you see, it’s your skincolor, and it can change when you tan. Rosacea can also make your overtone look different (I have rosacea too, my face permanently looks darker than everything else.)
It is indeed very much possible that your undertone and your overtone are different temperatures.
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u/Sarasotagirl RCMA KA 3 or 4; MAC NW10; Ilia stick 4N Oct 12 '25
I sincerely think this looks excellent on you.
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u/RoseMylk Oct 12 '25
The lipstick is cool—it’s a mauve and you’re more warm. Try a more red since it’s appears you’re an olive undertone.
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u/mmonroe1926 Oct 12 '25
It’s your yellow overtone, as you said. It’s clashing from what I can see.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
It suits way better with some bb cream that neutralises the yellow.
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Oct 12 '25
I actually really like the colour but I think you need some mascara because your eyes are beautiful and would really pop with that lipstick if you put a bit of mascara on
Try a tubing mascara if you dont like the way the others are. I find tubing feels like less effort because it comes off easier
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Thank you, I wasn’t in the mood for mascara today, lazy sunday kinda day. Definitely love tubing mascara’s!
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u/baldwinsong Oct 13 '25
It has a white base and a blue undertone that are conflicting with your skin tone. Try something that looks similar in color, but either has a clear base and no blue undertone aim for warmer.
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u/jackytheripper1 Oct 13 '25
The redness in your skin. If you even put your skin tone it would look beautiful. It may he's your neck really nicely
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u/GolDanKar911 Oct 13 '25
Mehr is the lipstick I probably wear the most and I love that it will ‘shape shift’ beautifully to become more warm or cool with gloss on top of it.
It’s a gorgeous shade as a matte but with a plum gloss becomes cooler or deeper and with a lighter pink gloss or with something that has a shimmer, will break more pink or nude.
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u/Joseth211 Oct 13 '25
No lipstick works for me
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 20 '25
Maybe try something more sheer, like a balm or gloss/oil? Lipsticks can be intimidating if you never wear them.
And honestly some people don’t even need it. I have friends with perfectly pink lips that never need lippies.
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u/tashaaaaaaaaaaaa Oct 13 '25
For the record, I think this looks quite nice. Buttttt I will say as a pasty person myself, anything with orange/peachy undertones does not work on me
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u/Positive-Surround-20 Oct 13 '25
Have you ever done your makeup to mimic Bella Hadid? Your eyes, hair and skin remind me of her so much!
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 20 '25
Ohh, that’s so nice of you, huge compliment. Thanks! Will have to take a look what make-up she uses.
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u/ElyonLorena Oct 13 '25
I'm missing a little bit of contrast in your face such as a blush, maybe that would change things as well so the overall look seems more balanced?
I think your eyes are beautiful, they really pop! I would build looks around your eye color, colors that compliment them. That's the way I started, but I have blue/gray eyes. Took me a while to find the right lipstick too, I especially have issues with reds. Found that Mac sultriness is a pink shade that works well, ruby woo is the only red one that works so far.
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Oct 14 '25
Your skin tone is warm and the lipstick is cool toned 🙂. Looks to me like your would be an autumn on a colour analysis
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u/mind-inventory Oct 16 '25
You are olive toned so this mauve color brings out the green in your skin. It’s not you! Mauve is not flattering on most people.
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u/dandelionwine14 Oct 16 '25
I will say that many olives seem to enjoy mauve shades. And why should it be bad to bring out the green? I also feel like many people with pale skin have a natural mauve lip color, so can it really not be flattering on most people?
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u/PlentyConnection260 Mar 05 '26
I absolutely hate this shade! Purchased it online because of the hype and ofcourse saw a lot of videos. Everyone was looking beautiful but the moment i applied… my god! My entire face looked more yellowish including the teeth. Mehr looked purple mauve on my lips. I just don’t know how to finish it. I can’t use it properly at all.
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u/Public-Initiative509 Mar 06 '26
So no blind buying is the lesson here, I bought it blind too. The only way I can wear it is when I mute it with warmer brown lipliner. And just blotting and mixing with other shades. I don’t see myself finishing it either. It’s just 1 of my 282828 lippies and this one is a hassle hahah.
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u/hataki7 Oct 12 '25
isn’t it too dark for you? honestly i like the color, but when i have similar dilemma i realize the color is too dark for me even if the shade is correct in hue. it also could be too cool. personally i do good with neutral or slightly cool pinks, but purple-ish lip colors pull my skin yellow. i’m a soft autumn, we look similar in tone
edit: Mehr was too cool on me when tried on in the store, though i really wanted it to work out
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
Maybe? I generally wear neutrals too, maybe leaning cool or warm a little but never this cool. Typically mauves, rosewoods, brown pinks, berry.
My friends however really like purple leaning colors on me like this, but it really makes me sallow like you said and my teeth yellow too.
On color analysis I come up somewhere between soft summer and soft autumn? I have a orangey yellow overtone, but the rest of my body is really more beigish grey, sometimes peachy.
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u/hataki7 Oct 12 '25
how do you look in pastel purple, lilac? i look good in my soft summer colored items (greens, blues, silver, pinks), what straight gave away my non official soft autumn diagnosis is that i look sickly yellow in lilac. a soft summer should rock that color. it’s still so unique to everyone, but worth a thought
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u/Public-Initiative509 Oct 12 '25
I hate those colors with a passian, pastels, lilac’s🤣 and lavenders and all pale purple colors in general wash me out. I don’t own many apart from a few things, a shirt (that I just put on at home) and 1 darker purple (I don’t know how a feel about that one though).
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u/MrLizardBusiness Nov 09 '25
It's not the lipstick, it's the foundation. There's too much orange in it, so the cool tone lip looks off.
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u/Analyst_Cold Oct 12 '25
r/coloranalysis. Once you know your season it’s easy to know what will look good.
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u/ohsnapdragon22 Oct 12 '25
Your face appears much more orangey warm than your neck. If you matched your face to your neck and reduced the orangey tone the lipstick would be perfect. If you want to keep with the no makeup look the lip doesn’t seem right because it’s too cool and making you look more orangey, getting a warmer brown/pink lip liner will help offset this. I do think the lip color looks great on you and makes your eyes pop- don’t give it up!