The best lipstick shades for cool undertones: pinks, mauves, berries, and cool nudes
By Ulta Beauty Advisors · Published October 2026
All products featured are available at Ulta Beauty. Ulta Beauty Advisors select products independently.
Cool undertones lean pink, red, or blue, so the most flattering lipsticks tend to carry the same family of pigments: cool pinks, mauves, berries, plums, and nudes with a rosy or violet cast. Start with the shade family that matches your skin depth, then choose the finish that fits how you wear lipstick.
Quick shade guide by skin depth:
Fair to light skin: cool pink, soft berry, or lilac nude
Light to medium skin: mauve, rose, or dusty pink
Medium to deep skin: deep berry, blue-red, or rich plum
Deep skin: blackened berry, cool burgundy, or violet-based red
When in doubt, mauve is the most flexible cool tone across skin depths.
1 of 6: Best Cool Pink
Hourglass Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick in Tulip 344
Primer-Infused Soft Matte Lipstick | $38.00
Shop Hourglass Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick in Tulip 344 at Ulta →
If your skin has pink undertones, a pink lipstick that leans cool looks like a natural extension of your complexion instead of a contrast to it. Tulip 344 is a neutral cool pink, which makes it a clean starting point for fair to light cool skin and for anyone who wants a pink that does not pull orange.
Hourglass formulates Unlocked as a primer-infused lipstick with a soft matte finish. Lip-conditioning ingredients prime and smooth the lips, and the formula is designed not to feather or bleed.
Key specs: Soft Matte · Primer-Infused · Neutral Cool Pink · Does Not Feather or Bleed · Free of Parabens, Sulfates, and Phthalates · 0.14 oz
Ulta Beauty Advisor Tip: Apply from the center of the lips outward, then press your lips together. Add a second layer if you want more color.
2 of 6: Best Cool Nude
MAC M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Cool Teddy
Silky Matte Lipstick | $25.00
Shop MAC M·A·Cximal Silky Matte Lipstick in Cool Teddy at Ulta →
A nude that reads warm can look flat or chalky on cool skin. Cool Teddy is a cool deep tone beige, which makes it a useful pick when you want a neutral, everyday lip that still sits on the cool side. It suits medium to deep skin that wants a nude without the peachy shift.
MAC states that the formula delivers full coverage with a silky matte finish, 8 hours of moisture, and 12 hours of color-true wear. Coconut oil and organic shea and cocoa butter condition the lips. The shade range is large, so you can step into a deeper or rosier nude within the same formula if Cool Teddy is not the right depth.
Key specs: Silky Matte · Cool Deep Tone Beige · Shea and Cocoa Butter · Vanilla Scent · 0.1 oz
Application Tip: Define the lips with a lip pencil first, then fill in with the lipstick. A pencil in a similar nude keeps the edges crisp with a matte finish.
3 of 6: Best Mauve
Anastasia Beverly Hills Full-Pigment Matte & Satin Velvet Lipstick in Mauve Cloud
Matte and Satin Velvet Lipstick | $26.00
Shop Anastasia Beverly Hills Full-Pigment Lipstick in Mauve Cloud at Ulta →
Mauve is the cool-tone shade that works across the widest range of skin depths, which is why it is a good first lipstick if you are new to cool shades. Mauve Cloud gives you that pink-purple direction in a full-pigment formula.
Anastasia Beverly Hills offers this lipstick in matte and satin velvet finishes across a 24-shade range with cool, warm, and neutral undertones, so check the shade name and swatch when you shop. The formula is designed not to feather, has a precise bullet shape, and is dermatologist tested.
Key specs: Matte and Satin Velvet Finishes · Full Pigment · Does Not Feather · Dermatologist Tested · Free of Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates, and Talc · 0.10 oz
Ulta Beauty Advisor Tip: Outline the cupid's bow first, fill in the top lip, then outline and fill the bottom lip for a defined mauve.
4 of 6: Best Plum and Berry
Anastasia Beverly Hills Full-Pigment Matte & Satin Velvet Lipstick in Sugar Plum
Matte and Satin Velvet Lipstick | $26.00
Shop Anastasia Beverly Hills Full-Pigment Lipstick in Sugar Plum at Ulta →
Deeper skin with cool undertones tends to hold plum and berry shades well, because the color has enough depth to read as intentional instead of washed out. Sugar Plum is the plum option in this lineup, and it works for evening looks or any day you want a more defined lip.
The same full-pigment formula applies here: weightless color, a creamy matte or velvety satin texture depending on the finish you choose, and no feathering. For dry lips, ABH recommends prepping with a lip primer before application.
Key specs: Plum Shade · Full Pigment · Does Not Feather · Dermatologist Tested · Rose-Gold Packaging · 0.10 oz
Pairing Tip: If you wear a deep plum on your lips, keep eye makeup in a softer cool tone so the lip stays the focus.
5 of 6: Best Sheer, Everyday Option
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey
Sheer Buildable Lipstick | $25.00
Shop Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey at Ulta →
Not every day calls for a full-coverage lip. Black Honey is a sheer, glossy lipstick that Clinique says is made from a blend of blue, red, and yellow pigments, so it adjusts to the natural color of your lips. It goes on lighter than it looks in the tube, which makes it easy to wear if bolder cool shades feel like too much.
The texture sits between lipstick and tinted lip balm. Clinique says it is allergy tested, 100% fragrance free, and free of parabens and phthalates. One coat gives a sheer tint, and you can keep building for more color.
Key specs: Sheer · Buildable · Soft-Shine Finish · Fragrance-Free · Allergy Tested · 0.06 oz
Application Tip: Apply one coat for a sheer tint, then layer for more color. It can also be worn over or under other lip colors and lip liners.
6 of 6: Best Budget Pick
Morphe Lip Filter Hydroplump Soft Matte Lipstick in Ballet
Soft Matte Lipstick | $15.00
Shop Morphe Lip Filter Hydroplump Soft Matte Lipstick in Ballet at Ulta →
A soft pink is one of the easier ways to try a cool-leaning lip, and Ballet keeps the look light.
The soft matte formula is buildable and true-to-lip. It includes a plumping peptide, jojoba seed oil, and mango butter, and has a soft vanilla scent. In a 35-subject consumer perception study, 100% agreed it glides smoothly and feels weightless on lips.
Key specs: Soft Matte · Soft Pink · Plumping Peptide · Jojoba Seed Oil · Cruelty-Free · 0.08 oz
Frequently asked questions about lipstick for cool undertones
What lipstick colors look best on cool undertones?
Cool undertones look best with lipstick shades built on pink, blue, or purple pigments. That includes cool pinks, mauves, berries, plums, lilac nudes, and blue-red shades. Avoid shades with strong orange or yellow tones, which tend to clash with pink or bluish skin.
Skin depth changes which cool shade works best. Fair to light skin tends to suit cool pink and soft berry. Light to medium skin suits mauve and dusty rose. Medium to deep skin suits deep berry, blue-red, and plum. Deep skin suits blackened berry, cool burgundy, and violet-based red.
How do I know if I have cool undertones?
Two quick checks can point you in the right direction. Look at the veins on your inner wrist: blue or purple veins often indicate cool undertones. Also notice whether silver jewelry tends to flatter you more than gold.
These are starting points, not rules. You can still wear any shade you like, and cool berry lips can look great on warm skin too. For more on matching color to your coloring, see the seasonal color palette guide.
What is the best red lipstick for cool undertones?
Look for reds with a blue or violet base, often described as blue-red, cherry, or berry red. Reds that lean orange or coral are typically better for warm undertones. Check the shade description and swatch on the product page, and use Ulta's virtual try-on on supported lipsticks to preview the color on your own face.
What nude lipstick works for cool undertones?
Choose a nude with a pink, rose, mauve, or cool beige base. Peachy and golden nudes can look washed out on cool skin. A shade like MAC Cool Teddy, listed as a cool deep tone beige, is one example. A lip liner one shade deeper than your lipstick adds definition.
Is mauve good for cool undertones?
Yes. Mauve combines pink and purple tones and is the most versatile cool shade, working across fair to deep skin depths. Lighter, dusty mauves suit fair to medium skin. Deeper, plum-leaning mauves suit medium to deep skin.
What lipstick finish is best for cool undertones?
Finish is a matter of preference. Matte and soft matte formulas give a defined, modern look. Satin finishes look more luminous and cushioned. Sheer formulas like Clinique Almost Lipstick give a softer tint. If your lips tend to feel dry, look for formulas with conditioning ingredients such as shea butter, jojoba oil, or mango butter, and prep with a lip balm or primer first.
Can I wear cool-toned lipstick with cool-toned eye makeup?
Yes. Balance is the key. If your eyes are bold, such as deep plum or smoky slate, keep the lip in a softer cool tone like a sheer berry or cool nude. If your lip is the statement, keep eye makeup minimal. For more looks, see cool-toned makeup and 90s makeup.
How do I make lipstick last longer?
Start with a smooth base: exfoliate gently if needed and apply lip balm, then let it absorb. Outline and fill the lips with a lip liner in a matching shade to help the color stay put. Apply lipstick from the bullet, blot, and apply a second layer.
Where can I buy lipstick for cool undertones?
All lipsticks featured in this guide are available at Ulta Beauty, online and in select stores. Ulta carries lipstick shades across price points, from under $15 to premium formulas. Shop the full lipstick collection or read the best lip colors guide for more shade ideas.
Prices and availability are subject to change. © 2026 Ulta Beauty, Inc.
Information provided is for educational purposes only.
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