Best Lipstick Shades to make Your Teeth Look Whiter

By Marielaina Perrone DDS | August 8, 2012

For most women finding the perfect shade of lipstick can be tricky. Lipstick color can be based on your mood, color of your outfit, or just about anything. But did you know that finding the perfect shade of lipstick can also make your teeth appear whiter and

brighter? Teeth whitening is not ideal for every patient whether it is due to cost, previous restorations (i.e. dental bonding or crowns), or sensitive teeth. Luckily, there is an alternative to making your teeth appear whiter. The answer to making your teeth appear whiter? Picking the right shade and tint of lipstick.

Most women are aware that bright true reds are perfect for this. They reflect the white off your teeth enhancing them in the process creating the illusion of whiter teeth. The lipstick and soft tissue surrounding the teeth acts as a frame for your smile. The darker lipstick colors offer a direct contrast thus enhancing a person’s smile.

Beauty experts say the trick is to select a cool toned lipstick with blue undertones that will counteract the yellowing of our teeth. This will make your teeth appear instantly whiter in contrast against the lipstick. Seemingly, instant teeth whitening. Various companies have marketed this in the past including some of the biggest names in cosmetics like Clinique and MAC.

Here are some tips to help make your teeth look whiter:

-Choose a contrasting lip color. A punch of red or pink on your lips stands out from your dazzling smile while beige or orangey shades blend into discolored teeth. Bright orange and yellow toned reds, actually emphasize the yellow tones that can be in your teeth. Additionally, frosty lipsticks and mattes can accentuate the stains in your teeth and also make your teeth look dull and lifeless. Remember to check your teeth after applying lipcolor to assure it is not on your teeth!

-Choose lipsticks with blue undertone shades, such as bright pinks and reds. They pick up the reflective edging on your teeth making your smile appear whiter.  A good example of this is MAC Dark Side. This is a bold, deep berry lipstick that is perfect for winter. It has cool purple-blue undertones and can be intensified or muted. It is the perfect contrast for making your teeth appear whiter.

-Experiment with bronzing. Darker complexions can offset white teeth. Sweep bronzer over the high points of your face. These areas include the hairline, bridge of your nose, cheek bones and tip of your chin. Your teeth will receive an instant benefit and appear whiter.

-Sparkle it up!. Dab an opalescent illuminator on the Cupid’s bow of your mouth. This allows the white luminescence to pick up reflection off your teeth.

-Save the gold tones for your eyelids and avoid gold tones near your lips or teeth. The shine from gold too closely resembles yellow. This will accentuate stains and make teeth appear darker yellow. Wearing the right colors close to your face also helps your teeth to look whiter. In general, brunettes should wear tops and scarves that are bright white or jewel-tone colors such as ruby red or emerald green; blondes should choose summery pastels. If you’re a strawberry blonde, you can wear spring colors with a dash of yellowish undertones such as tomato red; and if you are a redhead you’d look great wearing autumn shades such as rust and off-white. Of course, everyone’s coloring is unique.

So have fun and experiment! Pull out different clothing colors and lip shades, and try them out in front of your bathroom mirror. Watch how the shade of your teeth seems to suddenly and miraculously improve with the right colors. Try to Experiment: Try on a blue based berry colored lipstick. Look at your teeth. Wipe off the lipstick and try on an orange lipstick with yellow undertones or swipe on some nude lipstick. Check out your smile. Can you see the difference in how your teeth look?

Top Shades of Lipstick to Make Teeth Appear Whiter and Brighter
 
  • 1. Pale Pink – bright, shimmery pale pinks. These can bring out the whiteness that is naturally in your smile.
  • 2. Sheer Pink – glossy, pinks with a berry tint can lift and enhance the brightness of your teeth.
  • 3. Light Pink – matte rose shades with blue undertones will really make your smile pop out. Very dramatic.
  • 4. Bright Pink – bubble gum or fuchsia color with an electric blue base will make your smile look dramatically whiter.
  • 5. Bright Red – bold, opaque reds can make your teeth look up to 2 shades whiter.
 
So, if you want a whiter smile today reach into the lipstick drawer and use color to make it happen.
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