Bright Winter: Lipstick

Bright Winter lipsticks are bright and cool. Such intensity would look overdone on other seasons but, on these individuals, they look completely natural.

In this article, we’ve used a variety of red, pink, orange, purple and brown lipsticks to demonstrate which colours we’d advise for Bright Winter as well as those you should avoid. Affiliate links have been used to provide additional visual examples.  These products have been swatched on clients to ensure accuracy - online images may vary. As with the lipstick chart, you are encouraged to sample these products on your wrist prior to making any purchases.

Please note, this advice is generic for all Bright Winter individuals and recommendations will vary based on your unique colouring. Some trial and error may be required in order to find the best shade for yourself. For personalised advice, we suggest purchasing a Colour Analysis package with the makeup option.

Bright Winter lipsticks are taken from the reds, pinks and purples on the colour chart.

This subtype belongs to a season influenced by dark value so colours are both cooler and deeper than those we'd see in Bright Spring.

Where those who lean closer to Cool Winter will need to select the cooler coloured products, those who flow towards Bright Spring must prioritise the neutral products. This means they are limited in the purples they can wear as these are typically cooler.

Red Lipstick

Bright Winter needs drama to balance their high contrast appearance. So it’s little surprise that classic red lipsticks work wonders for these individuals! 

In example one, we see a generic red, which can be likened to Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in 530 Fatal Red. Note how it lightens Crystal’s appearance and makes her eyes pop. There is no colour reflecting on her face and her skin looks flawless. We can say that this colour balances her. 

The vibrant red in example three has a similar effect but is a little deeper. Here, she has an evident rosy glow in her cheeks, which suggests it works with her cool tones. You could try Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in 170 Alarm. 

Another good option is a blueish red as shown in example two. This is a little cooler than the other examples but retains the brightness we see in each of them. Her image is especially enhanced here, demonstrating a colour balance. It would work well for a Bright Winter leaning towards Cool Winter. A good option would be L'Oreal Paris Lipstick in 350 Rouge Paradise.

The reds that Bright Winter needs to avoid include soft, warm and overly dark variations.

Example four shows a burgundy shade, which is cool enough for her but also has a touch of grey to soften the colour. This muddies her appearance as the colour reflects on her skin. It is also too dark for her vibrancy and overpowers her. This would work well for a Dark Winter or Cool Summer individual. 

Now, if we look to the brick red in example five and the wine red in example six, we can see how warmer variations clash with her cool tones. These colours not only give her a yellow tinge but they cast grey on her skin as they are too soft for her bright chroma. They would be better suited to a Dark Autumn individual. 

Pink Lipstick

Pink lipstick works best for Bright Winter when it is bold and cool. We’re looking at the brightest colours on the palette rather than neutrals and nudes. 

In example one, we see a candy pink colour with a touch of cooling blue. Compare the effect this lipstick has on Crystal with the warm pink in example five. They’re both bright but the warm pink has some yellow, which reflects on her skin. The candy pink refines her appearance and makes her eyes sparkle. A good option would be Avon Hydramatic Shine Lipstick in Bright Pink.

The neon pink in example two would be overpowering on any other season but we see Crystal’s eyes before we see the lipstick. This indicates a strong colour balance. It also gives her a rosy glow in her cheeks due to the cool undertone of the product working with her natural hue. You could try L'Oréal Paris Chroma Morphose Lipstick in Chameleon Pink.

Another option for Bright Winter is a vivid magenta such as Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in 023 Magnetic Magenta. This variation is not as bright as the others but has a touch of blue, pushing it closer to a purple hue. It still works strongly for Crystal as seen in example three. Here, her rosy cheeks are really evident as it works with her cool tones.

Bright Winter is all about drama so natural pinks such as the beige in example four aren’t suitable. Not only is this colour warm but it has some softening grey and muddies her appearance - that rosy glow is wiped out. It also looks boring as she needs to create some interest with a bolder colour. 

The deep rose in example six is also unsuitable due to its warmth and softness. This colour is also a little deep and overpowers her.

purple Lipstick

The Bright Winter palette includes a range of purples including ‘Sparkling Grape - 19-3336 TCX’ and ‘Purple Wine - 19-2929 TCX’. These colours are both bright and cool to echo the subtype’s natural colour qualities. 

In example one, the vibrant purple is clear with a hint of blue to cool it. This colour visibly lightens Crystal’s appearance and makes her eyes sparkle. She has a lovely rosy glow in her cheeks without any of the colour reflecting on her face, which indicates a strong balance. A good option would be Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Is Everything in Purple Aura.

The electric violet in example two has a similar effect and may be likened to… This colour is more vibrant than the last example and lightens Crystal’s image even more. We also see her face before the colour so we know it’s well balanced. You could try L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in 287 Sparkling Amethyst.

Another strong option would be a plum pink such as Revlon Super Lustrous Sheer Lipstick in 850 Plum Velour. We see a similar colour in example three, which refines Crystal’s appearance. Her eyes really pop paired with this lipstick. 

Purple lipsticks which need to be avoided by Bright Winter individuals include those which are soft as well as overly dark. This subtype belongs to a season influenced by dark value but it is in no way their dominant or secondary colour quality. Dark colours are also mixed with black to deepen and Bright Winter’s colours are unmixed to maintain purity. 

This is best demonstrated in example four. The eggplant colour is cool enough for Crystal but its depth overpowers her appearance and makes her look pale. It also has a touch of softening grey, which muddies her appearance. 

Overly light colours should also be avoided as shown in example six where we see a lavender colour. This pastel is underwhelming and flattens Crystal’s image. She needs a bold, bright hue to balance her appearance.

Example five shows a lighter dusty plum, which throws grey on her image. This colour also has a hint of warming yellow, pushing it closer to a deeper rose pink. It really doesn’t work for her. 

Other Lipsticks

Lipstick colours we don’t recommend to Bright Winter include orange, nudes and browns. Whilst orange products are too warm, neutrals tend to be too dark or too soft. This either overwhelms or underwhelms the individual and the key is to create balance. 

The bright orange in example one is bright enough for Crystal’s chroma. However, the hue is too warm and reflects yellow on her skin. This may work for a Bright Winter leaning towards Bright Spring but would need to be balanced with cool metals, neutrals and accents in sartorial choices. 

We also see a vibrant peach colour in example three. Like example one, this has the required clarity for Bright Winter but is too warm. It is also very pale and flattens Crystal’s appearance. Again, she needs a bold, cool colour to echo her natural qualities. 

The flesh nude in example six is similar to this peachy colour but it a cooler variation. Its light value prevents it working for Crystal, however, as it looks like her natural lips and she needs a pop of colour. 

If we look to example two, we see a brownish red with some softening grey. This colour is both too muted and warm for Crystal and also leans towards a deeper variation, which does not work for her. It would be better suited to a Warm Autumn or Dark Autumn individual. 

Although the deep cool brown in example four has a touch of cooling blue, it has the same effect as example two due to its depth and grey pigmentation. This colour overwhelms Crystal and makes her look sickly. It would be better suited to a Dark Winter individual. 

Finally, warm nude in example five is too soft and warm for Crystal. Not only does it reflect yellow on her face but it also flattens her overall appearance. Ultimately, neutrals will not work for this subtype. 

Lipstick Finishes

Due to Bright Winter’s dominant characteristic being bright chroma, they require serious shine to echo their natural appearances. 

Gloss works incredibly well for them but shimmer can also be effective, as seen in the lustre example. Satin products also work as they have a creamier finish. 

Finishes this subtype need to avoid include matte, powder and velvet. This is because they look cakey and unnatural paired with natural shine. If these products are already in your collection and meet the colour requirements, you can create some shine using a sweep of clear gloss over the top. 

Care should be taken to nourish the lips prior to makeup application if you opt for matte products. You could incorporate lip scrubs and masks into your evening skincare routine in order to prep a smooth base.

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Bright Winter - Lipstick Chart [Digital Download]

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