Choosing the right lipstick and nail polish shades can elevate your entire look, but the wrong shades can have the opposite effect. Here are some of the most unflattering shades to avoid if you don’t want to look outdated, older, or less attractive.
1. Neon Orange Lipstick
Neon orange is a bold choice and rarely looks good on most skin tones. Not only this, but orange lipstick will most likely make your teeth look yellow and draw attention away from your overall look. Orange lipstick might feel fun, but it won’t be flattering. Ditch this shade in favor of a more natural tone.
2. Frosty Pink Lipstick
Not only is frosty pink lipstick outdated, but this shade can often make your lips appear thinner. The overly shimmery finish can emphasize fine lines, making it a less flattering choice for most skin tones. Stick to classic pale pinks that are timeless and universally flattering on everyone.
3. Pale Beige Lipstick
While neutral lips can be chic, pale beige can wash out your complexion, especially if you have fair skin. This shade often makes your lips blend into your face, giving a dull, lifeless appearance. Avoid pale beige lipsticks at all costs, unless you pair it with a warmer toned lipstick that doesn’t blend in with your complexion.
4. Black Lipstick
Although edgy, black lipstick is tricky to pull off, and really, there’s rarely an appropriate place to debut such a bold look anyway. Black lipstick can make your teeth appear yellow and your complexion look harsh, making it a difficult choice for most people. If you have thin lips, it’ll only draw attention to how thin your lips actually are.
5. Brown Lipstick
Brown lipstick, reminiscent of the 90s, can make your lips look flat and lifeless. It tends to age the wearer and rarely complements modern makeup trends. It’s another shade that can also yellow your teeth. Avoid dark, rich browns if you’re pale, and opt for softer browns instead.
6. Yellow Nail Polish
Yellow nail polish can rarely be pulled off well. Most shades of yellow tend to make your hands look sallow or sickly. This is because of the yellow undertones in our skin, so unless you have a very specific style in mind, it’s a shade that’s best avoided for a polished look.
7. Neon Green Nail Polish
Neon green might seem fun, but it often reads as tacky rather than trendy. Just like clothes and makeup, some colors complement our skin while others don’t. Neon green will catch the eye and take away from the rest of your look. It can also clash with most outfits and doesn’t do much to enhance your overall appearance.
8. Dark Brown Nail Polish
Dark brown nail polish can appear muddy and unappealing, particularly if it’s a home job. It lacks the sophistication of black or the vibrancy of other colors, often making your nails look dull and lifeless. So, while you may think painting your nails brown is chic, you’re most likely just committing a beauty faux pas.
9. Shimmery Baby Blue Nail Polish
Shimmery baby blue nail polish might be pretty to look at, but it’s a different story on the nails. This shade can look overly youthful and outdated. It’s often reminiscent of middle school experiments rather than a polished, sophisticated look. Ditch glittery nail polishes for a sleek, neutral shade.
10. Purple Lipstick
Deep purple shades can be striking but are difficult to pull off without looking goth or overly dramatic. This shade is also incredibly dated and far too strong and will drown out the rest of your makeup and outfit. Purple lipstick can make your lips look smaller and your complexion appear ashen, opt for timeless, neutral shades.
11. Peach Nail Polish
Just like yellow, peach nail polish is another shade that can make your hands look washed out. It’s a color that often lacks impact and can clash with a wide range of skin tones. Opt for a deep, defined tangerine for a more eye-catching nail polish choice that won’t wash out your hands or make you appear sickly.
12. Dark Burgundy Lipstick
Dark burgundy lipstick seems like a bold, striking lipstick shade. In actuality, it can make your lips look thinner and your face more severe, especially if your natural lip color is pale. If you’re looking for a bold lip color, opt for a blue-toned red that has depth but won’t overwhelm your look.
13. White Nail Polish
Believe it or not, white is not a universally flattering color. While it looks great on some complexions, on others, it’s too dominating or washes you out entirely. White nail polish is challenging because it often looks like correction fluid rather than a chic, minimalist choice. It can make your nails look unfinished and clash with your outfit. Opt for a sleeker off-white, ivory, or beige shade that won’t clash and looks more chic.
14. Bright Purple Nail Polish
Just like purple lipstick, bright purple nail polish might seem fun, but it rarely complements a sophisticated look. This color can appear childish and hard to match your overall style. Opt for a mauve or deeper shade for a more sophisticated and polished nail look.
15. Coral Lipstick
Coral lipstick can be beautiful, but it often clashes with cooler skin tones, making your teeth appear yellow and your skin look sallow. It’s a color that doesn’t flatter everyone and can be hard to pull off. If you’re looking to add a little color to your lips, opt for a red, a cool-toned brown, or a fun pink instead.