Question: What's the trick for testing out a lipstick at the store if you can't put it on your lips?
Answer: Almost all of us, beauty editors included, test makeup shades by applying them to the top of our hand; we grab a handful of lipsticks, swipe them across in a row and pick the one we like best. The problem is, it's not always the most flattering when we go to put it on our mouth. According to celebrity makeup artist Rae Morris, that's because the skin tone on our hands is nothing like the skin tone of our lips. Instead, she says, "test it on your fingertip, which has a blue-red undertone that's closer to your lip. Do one swipe only and if you like the color, buy it. If it's not enough, you're better off getting the next shade stronger and using less." For the perfect nude, pick a few options that look either one shade darker or one shade lighter than your natural lip color (if it's an exact match, it will actually wash you out) when you have nothing on, not even balm. Apply them to your fingertips and hold each up to your mouth to measure.
