Red lipstick for yellow teeth?

Aug 22, 2016

Darcy F.

I have a dilemma - I love red lipstick but I have yellow teeth! I'm embarrassed to wear bright, vivid colors, esp. my favorite RED. Does anyone have advice about which colors might look OK with yellow teeth?

Thanks to terrible genes I have naturally yellow teeth - always have, even as a kid. It's not antibiotic discoloring, just straight-up yellow. My dentist says I have perfect teeth and gums (I floss religiously, thanks Mom!) BUT sadly can't whiten safely.

Any advice would be fabulous! Thanks!

Aug 22, 2016

Emma S.

Get a lipstick with blue under tones(I think that's what they are called) the blue makes your teeth look whiter.

Aug 22, 2016

Grace N.

Lipstick with blue undertones make teeth look whiter.

Aug 22, 2016

Darcy F.

Thanks for the advice! I hate to say I've actually tried some & it doesn't seem to work. :( I may have been trying the wrong colors. For example MAC Ruby Woo doesn't help much. I've also tried some blue-toned pinks that actually seemed to make it worse. Crazy. One that's actually fairly flattering is an orange-ish tone - bare essentials sweet apricot. Weird, right?

Anyway, I know my request is probably annoying, since general blue-toned lippies seem to generally help most people. If anyone is in the same boat and has lipstick color suggestions I'd love to hear. Thanks again everyone for the advice, though! :)

Aug 22, 2016

Deborah S.

Mac diva is a lipstick that makes my teeth look whiter. :)

Aug 22, 2016

Jacqueline H.

I have an odd theory about that, so be prepared to call me crazy. If you look at a color wheel, when dealing with yellow, what is it's complimentary? Purple. If you have any purple kind of discoloration, yellow (for the most part) would neutralize it. Speaking only in a complimentary scheme, what would orange do? Neutralize blue. So a red lipstick with a blue tone to it can actually make your teeth look more yellow. Now we are always told to stay away from Orange if we are trying not to enhance yellow teeth, but if you roll it in reverse, orange should bring out the blue and in turn make your teeth look whiter. Now, I won't say that by using a red orange lipstick your teeth will looking more dramatically white. What I am saying is that a lipstick that is red orange will neutralize that yellow, making your teeth look less yellow. That's probably why that apricot shade works for you.

If you really want to create a contrast and bring the white of the teeth more forward, you would need to find a red with a more purple undertone to it. Wearing berry toned lipsticks would work very well for you because berry colored lipsticks are generally a take on a pink or a purple-y red. A really pretty plum would also make your teeth appear more white.

Aug 23, 2016

Olivia M.

Don't let other people's opinions interfere with yours. if you like red lipstick, wear red lipstick, if anyone has a problem with it, just ignore them. your lips, your choice. I have yellow teeth too but that doesn't stop me from wearing bright, bold colors. you be you.

Aug 23, 2016

Tia B.

Pink colors make my teeth look whiter, but my teeth aren't yellow.

Aug 24, 2016

Darcy F.

Jacqueline H., you are library of color and makeup advice! I like your theory - it seems to account for the coral/apricot/orange-leaning lipsticks not having a negative impact, and maybe even helping, the visual appearance of yellower teeth. It's definitely worth considering - and I love learning more about color theory and its impact on cosmetic appearances and choices. Thank you!

Aug 24, 2016

Darcy F.

Olivia M. - thank you! You know, while I'm totally self conscious, your post reminds me that when I see someone wearing bold lip color, all I focus on is how great a color it is and what a fabulous choice they made. Your advice is great for me and for anyone else who might feel self-conscious about wearing colors they love. Thanks again!