lip makeup 7 Lipstick Shades That Will Make Your Teeth Look Whiter

There are few things worse than posing for a picture in your favorite makeup look, only to realize your teeth aren’t quite the pearly whites you wish they were. A stained smile can seriously put a damper on your beauty look. 

Whether you’re regularly loading up on coffee, black tea or red wine, maintaining perfectly white teeth is easier said than done. Luckily, the right color lipstick can help make teeth look whiter. It’s a quick fix when you’re in a pinch and can’t spend hours in whitening trays or the dentist chair — that’s right, makeup really is magic. Read on for seven on-trend lipstick shades that’ll make your teeth look whiter and brighter.

1. Blue-Based Red

It’s always the season for red lips. While there are few makeup products more universally flattening than a red lipstick, there’s a fine line between a red lipstick to make teeth look whiter and one that causes your teeth to resemble a not-so-bright hue. 

A blue-based red is the way to go — so stay away from any orange-based shades. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Classic Wine, L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds Of Worth Satin Lipstick With Saturated Color in Lovely Red and the L’Oréal Paris Rouge Signature Matte Lip Stain in I Am Worth It.

2. Fruit Punch

Somewhere between a cool-toned red and deep pinkish hue is fruit punch lipstick. The shade mimics that natural stain you get on your lips when you overindulge in the sweet drink or eat a cherry flavored ice pop. When you intentionally apply the color as lipstick you can avoid getting it all over your teeth too. Instead, the shade will give your chompers a brighter shine. Try the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds Of Worth Satin Lipstick With Saturated Color in Successful Red to get the look.

3. Cool-Toned Pink

For those daytime makeup looks where you want something a little more popping than a pinky nude, or nights out where you aren’t feeling an extremely bold lip color, try a cool-toned pink lipstick. As we mentioned, a warm-toned lipstick will bring out yellow tones in your teeth. 

A few cool pinks we love are the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Miss Magenta, and the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick Shine Lipstick in Glazed Pink.

4. Nude

There’s no denying the beauty of a nude lip — and it’s the perfect lip color for just about any occasion. You can sport it day-to-day or pair it with a smokey eye for a night out on the town. In order to boost the brightness of your pearly whites, steer clear of shades of nude with warm undertones that can cause your teeth to appear more yellow and try nudes with a pinkish  or pale hue. Take your pick of nude shades from the L’Oréal Paris Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick.

Editor’s tip: Whatever lip color you choose, having a smooth, flake-free pout can make all the difference in your lipstick application and its effect on your smile and overall beauty look. To keep your lips soft and smooth, exfoliate them using a lip scrub. Try the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Resurface & Energize Kona Coffee Scrub for a silky-smooth pout.

5. Berry

If you’re a fan of dark, bold lipstick shades, don’t think you have to wait until winter to pull out those vampy hues. Just make sure to stick with berries rather than warm-toned shades. The purple-blue base of a berry lip will balance out any staining on your pearly whites. 

If you need some shade inspiration, take your pick from the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Shine Lipstick in Splendid Blackberry and the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Lipstick in Roseblood.

6. Blue

Get out of your comfort zone with a trendy blue lip color. When it comes to lipsticks that will help your teeth appear whiter and brighter, it doesn’t get much better than a full on blue lipstick. Whether you choose to go for a brighter or deeper blue is up to you.

7. Violet

If you’re excited about Pantone’s color of 2022, Very Peri, then a violet lip shade may be the perfect fit for your teeth whitening hack. The cool-toned purple has the right undertones to make the yellow hues in your teeth appear muted, allowing your pearlies to shine bright. Try the bold lip color with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Matte Lipstick in the shade Matte-Gic.

Editor’s tip: Beyond the color of your lipstick, the finish can play a part in how your teeth look. Be wary of lipsticks with lots of shimmer, especially ones with silver reflects. They can make your teeth look dingy. On the other hand, one of our favorite finishes for a bright smile is a slight gloss.

Next: This Lip Gloss and Balm Hybrid Deserves a Permanent Spot In Your Makeup Bag

Edited by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn