Wearing a berry lipstick during the fall season is just like ordering a PSL—it's inevitable that it's going to happen at some point. Since there's a range of berry shades to pick from—whether you're a Bing Cherry, cranberry, grape, or blackberry fan—navigating which hue is the most flattering for your complexion can be tough to navigate when in a bunch, all of the berries can start to look similar.
But, having options is exactly what makes a berry lip so flattering on a number of skin tones. "There’s a versatility with berry shades which makes it fun for all skin tones to explore," says New York-based hair and makeup artist Lindsey Williams. "If you aren’t into a deep cherry shade, you can try a cranberry or deep raspberry tone!"
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Williams biggest tip for applying berry lipstick is to do a bit of prep work to prevent the color from feather or bleeding off of your lips. She suggests coating your lips with a primer like BITE Beauty's Line & Define Primer ($22; sephora.com) before reaching for the berry lipstick of your choice.
When choosing a shade, Williams explains it's important not to shy away from deeper tones. "Berry lips are more than a poppy watermelon shade," she says. "They are richer and darker so don’t be afraid to be bold. For direction, think of the various berries/fruits that are darker hued, like raspberry, cranberry, blackberry, and Bing Cherries (not exactly a berry but the shade of stain they create is gorgeous!)."
If you're planning on wearing a berry lip this fall, we've broken down the best shades for your skin tone. Keep scrolling for our picks.
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Fair Complexions: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Shame
If you're fair, Williams suggests reaching for a rich berry shade with a warm undertone like this Urban Decay Bing Cherry-esque creamy matte lipstick.
E.L.F. Cosmetics Moisturizing Lipstick in Wine Tour
"For fairer skin tones I always tell people not to be afraid of the darker shades," says Williams. "Bright reds aren’t exactly the spirit of this trend, try to keep in a deeper, richer tone." Need an example? e.l.f.'s hydrating red-berry lipstick, which also happens to be the exact shade of your favorite red wine.
Olive Complexions: Giorgio Armani Beauty Ecstasy Shine Lipstick in Wine
Falling directly in the middle of the cool-warm color spectrum is Giogrio Armani's wine shade. This lipstick formula is also a hybrid, too. It wears like a balm, but gives lips a just-stained effect—kind of like after eating a bowl of Bing Cherries.
Deep Complexions: NYX Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Dark Era
Williams suggests a burgundy shade that has a slightly brown undertone like this NYX tube. Although it has a shine-free finish, it doesn't settle into lips or accentuate any dry spots.
