How To Pull Off The Brown Lipstick Trend

Between the runways of New York Fashion Week and the Snapchat accounts of celebrities like Kylie Jenner, the brown lipstick trend has been seemingly everywhere recently. (It’s not just Kar-Jenners like Kylie, Kim, and Kendall who are rocking this trend, but they’re certainly helping push it along.)


A total throwback to the nineties, the brown lip is an undeniably bold makeup statement but one that can still work on a variety of complexions. “There are so many shades of brown lipstick; I believe there’s a brown shade of lipstick for every skin tone!” says celebrity makeup artist Tia Dantzler, who has worked with Viola Davis, Jennifer Hudson, and Mary J. Blige. However, since a brown lip is a serious look, it can take a little bit of getting used to. “To pull off brown, there’s a comfort level you need,” explains Dantzler.

Believe it or not, with a few simple tricks, you can totally rock the brown lip. Here’s what you need to know to pull it off.
1. Know Your Skin Tone
Not all brown lipsticks are created equal: If you’re fair, you’ll want to find a brown lipstick that has a cooler undertone, but if you’re golden or olive skinned, you should gravitate toward a brown lipstick with warmer undertones. Either way, don’t be put off if the color is a bit ashy or seems like something you’d wear on your eyebrows—that’s brown lipstick in all its glory!

For darker or more olive complexions, try Kylie True Brown K Matte Liquid Lipstick ($17), a matte, deep chocolate brown, or Gerard Cosmetics Invasion ($20), an ashy brown that almost appears purple.

For paler complexions, try Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Sepia ($20), a dark taupe with yellow undertones, or NYX Cosmetics Turnt Up! Lipstick in Dirty Talk ($6).

For those who are terrified of brown, take baby steps with a soft, nude mauve shade, like Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Pink Chocolate ($17) or Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Rose Femme ($5).
2. Consider Lip Liner
By wearing a lip liner underneath your lipstick, you’ll add dimension and make the look pop. As an added bonus, lip liner will give even more staying power and help prevent you from needing to reapply after eating or drinking. (This look is best when it’s vibrant, not faded.) Dantzler loves lip liner to add a sense of adventure to the brown look. “Go bold by first applying the deep shade of brown then finish off the lip by outlining your lip with a darker lip liner shade to create a sleek, elegant look.”

Try Sephora Collection Lipliner to Go in Light Brown ($6) or NYX Cosmetics Slim Lip Pencil in Brown ($4).
3. Keep the Rest of Your Makeup Neutral

Brown lipstick needs to be the star of the show, so this isn’t a lip you want to sport when you’re feeling like it’s a day for glittery green eyeshadow. Keep your skin dewy and flawless with a tinted moisturizer, like CoverGirl Clean Matte BB Cream ($9) or Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($44), and use neutral earth-toned eyeshadows, like those in the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette ($29), or Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 Redemption Eyeshadow Palette ($7) to keep your lips the focal point.
4. Moisture, Moisture, Moisture

Dry, flaky lips are lips that do not work with brown shades. “One mistake we must avoid is wearing a dark lipstick with flaky, dry lips,” Dantzler says. “Your lipstick glides on more smoothly after first using a scrub to exfoliate and following up with a lip conditioner.” She advises applying a lip conditioner at the start of your makeup routine, like EOS Lip Balm ($3) or Bite Beauty Everyday Agave Lip Collection ($18) so your lips are soft, luscious, and completely prepped by the time you get to lipstick.