With so many lipstick brands and shades available, it can be tricky to find an exact color match when you want to try a new brand. Whether you’re looking for a drugstore dupe of your favorite high-end lipstick or want to find your signature shade across different formulas, here are some tips to help you find similar lipstick colors in other brands.
Compare Swatches Side-by-Side
One of the easiest ways to find lipstick shades that are alike is to compare swatches. Swatching lipsticks side-by-side on your arm or hand allows you to see subtle differences in tone, finish, and coverage. Swatch lipsticks you already own alongside new shades you’re curious about to see if they match up. Focus on the tone of color rather than finish when swatching. A creamy lipstick can pull the same color as a matte or glossy one. It’s best to swatch at least 2-3 potential color matches to compare to your original lipstick.
Use Online Swatch References
If you don’t have access to test out lipsticks in person, look for swatch references online. Many beauty blogs and makeup brand websites will provide lip swatches comparing shades across brands. For example, Temptalia has an extensive lip swatch gallery with thousands of lipsticks from popular brands like MAC, Urban Decay, and Revlon. You can search for a specific shade and find dupes from other lines. Always double check reviews to ensure the alleged dupes are accurate matches. Instagram can also be helpful for finding user-generated lipstick swatches. Search for your lipstick shade and brand to see if any users have posted comparative swatches.
Analyze the Color Descriptions
Don’t just rely on a lipstick’s name alone when shade matching. You’ll want to analyze the detailed color descriptions provided by brands as well. Look for key terms like “rosy nude,” “plum,” “neutral pink,” etc. to find counterparts that match the color family. Brands will often classify shades by color so you can easily shop for similar tones. For example, MAC groups their lipsticks as pinks, oranges, corals, reds, etc. So if you have a rose-toned pink lipstick, look for shades described similarly from other brands. The more descriptive the color name, the better for accuracy.
Compare Finish and Texture
Aside from color, pay attention to lipstick finishes and formulas. A matte lipstick will look slightly different in tone than a creamy or sheer lipstick, even if they are meant to be the same color. Textural elements like shimmer, pearl, or metallic flecks can also affect how a color comes across. Try to find shades in comparable lipstick formulas to your original. Matte lipstick shades will best match other matte options. Sheer or luminous formulas are ideal dupes for light coverage lipsticks. You want the textures to align as closely as possible.
Lighting Can Impact Perception
Be mindful that lighting conditions can alter lipstick colors in photos and real life. A lip swatch posted under warm studio lighting may not exactly match a lipstick swiped on under cool daylight. View lipstick swatches under similar lighting for the most accurate representation of a true color match. Those with deeper skin tones should also be aware that some shades can pull differently than on light to medium skin. Always test shades on your own lips before purchasing to verify the right match.
Undertones Are Key
Along with finding the right color family, pay close attention to undertones. Lipstick shades can lean warm, cool, or neutral. If you don’t match the same undertone, the lipsticks can look off. For example, an orangey coral and a bluish pink may appear vibrant and saturated but won’t necessarily work as dupes. Pink, blue, yellow, peach, red, etc – look for the dominant undertones. Checking out online dupes? Be sure the bloggers or reviewers note a similar undertone as your OG lipstick shade.
Certain Colors Are Easier to Dupe
Some lipstick colors are easier to find solid dupes for than others. More common neutral and pinky nude shades tend to have lots of options across brands. Vibrant tones like true reds, berries, and oranges also repeat across many lines. But for unique shades like browns, purples, blacks, greens, grays or bold brights, dupes likely won’t be exact. You may need to mix and match a couple close options to DIY a dupe. Setting realistic expectations based on the lipstick color family will help your search.
Test Lipsticks Out In Natural Lighting
To confirm an accurate shade match, do your final lipstick test in natural daylight if possible. Stand facing a window or head outside to view the true lip color in the sunlight. This lighting won’t hide any discrepancies and allows you to see if undertones look identical. Try talking and smiling to make sure the color still syncs up applied to your lips vs. just swatched on your arm. Natural light is the best way to verify that shades are color dupes across formulas.
Sample or Buy Mini Sizes
If you’re on the hunt for a dupe for an expensive or luxury brand lipstick, try sampling or buying minis first. Many makeup counters will provide samples of lipsticks so you can test shades. Some brands also offer mini or trial sizes of their signature lipstick colors for under $10. This allows you to affordably try dupes without committing to a full tube. Compare mini lipsticks side-by-side and return anything that’s not an exact match.
Mix Textures and Finishes
Another dupe trick is layering textures and finishes. Sheer, creamy, and matte lipsticks layered or mixed together can create a custom shade. For example, apply a matte liquid lipstick then blend a glossy cream lipstick in a similar color on top. This allows you to manipulate dimension and find your perfect match. Playing around with layering allows more control in achieving your signature shade from colors you already own.
Seek Out Lip Liners
Lip liners in similar shades can help alter and finesse an almost-right lipstick dupe. Use a liner that matches the depth and undertones of your original lipstick. Apply it first before swiping on the new lipstick formula. The liner will correct and fill in the lipstick so it appears truer to the original color. Lip liners are an affordable way to make an inexpensive dupe look more premium. Both clear and tinted liners work for tweaking a shade.
Mix and Match Lipstick Combos
Think outside one shade of lipstick when duping. You can mix together lipstick formulas for a custom color. Layer a nude creamy lipstick first as a base. Then dab a shimmery peach gloss in the centers of your lips over it. Blend the two together for your own original hue. Mixing colors you already own leads to new bespoke shades. Play around with blending complementary or contrasting formulas.
Adjust Colors with Powder or Balm
For lipsticks that are almost perfect but need a smidge of color correcting, use powder or tinted balm to adjust the tone. Translucent setting powder can mattify and lighten up a too-bright lipstick once applied. To deepen or darken a shade, pat on a brown or skin-toned lip balm and blend together with the lipstick. Powder and balm allows you to subtly customize a close-but-not-perfect dupe.
| Brand | Lipstick Line | Notable Shades |
|---|---|---|
| MAC | Matte | Ruby Woo, Russian Red, Velvet Teddy |
| NARS | Audacious | Anita, Barbara, Raquel |
| Charlotte Tilbury | Matte Revolution | Pillow Talk, Very Victoria, Red Carpet Red |
| Dior | Rouge Dior | 999, 100, 455 |
| Revlon | Super Lustrous | Cherries in the Snow, Wine With Everything, Siren |
| Maybelline | Color Sensational | Touch of Spice, Crazy for Coffee, Burgundy Blush |
| NYX | Butter Lipstick | Root Beer Float, Bit of Honey, Little Susie |
| Wet n Wild | MegaLast Liquid Catsuit | Give Me Mocha, Rebel Rose, Red My Mind |
| L’Oreal | Color Riche | Blake’s Red, Eva’s Nude, Julianne’s Nude |
| Covergirl | Outlast | Ever Red-dy, Sultry Sienna, Spiced Latte |
The above table highlights popular lipstick lines from both high end and drugstore brands, along with some of their well-known shades. This reference can help you easily compare shades across price points. You’re likely to find a perfect dupe match from one of these major lipstick brands. Consult reviews to narrow down specific dupes.
Conclusion
With so many brands and formulas to choose from, finding your perfect lipstick shade in a different brand doesn’t have to be a struggle. Pay attention to color families, undertones, textures and swatch comparisons to identify ideal dupes. Test shades under natural lighting for the most accurate match. Sample or buy minis when possible. Mix, layer and line to finesse almost-dupes into signature colors. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to find your new favorite lipstick formula in the perfect matching hue.