While they’re often referred to as “pearly whites,” most people’s teeth aren’t completely white. This may be especially true if you drink a lot of coffee or tea. While having off-white teeth is completely normal, spotting your not-so-pearly whites in a picture may leave you wondering whether lipstick can make your teeth appear brighter—and, if so, what color lipstick makes teeth look whiter.
The answer, it turns out, isn’t quite as simple as you may hope. Yes, lipstick can make your teeth appear whiter, but it’s important to choose your shade carefully. Some hues can actually emphasize those unwanted tones and make your teeth appear more yellow. Here, we’ll share everything you need to know about picking the right lipstick to make your teeth look whiter. Plus, we’ll introduce you to a few of our favorite products for a standout smile.
People often refer to lipstick colors that make the teeth look whiter as “whitening lipstick” (though they don’t, of course, actually whiten your teeth). Typically, these include cool shades like plum, bright red, or pink. As for why these colors make teeth look whiter—it all comes down to contrast.
The ability to fake a whiter smile by wearing a certain shade of lipstick can be explained by color theory. Colors that sit opposite one another on the color wheel effectively cancel one another out—so if you’re seeking to minimize the appearance of warm yellow tones, cool-toned lipsticks will usually do the trick.
Much in the way that purple shampoo works to minimize the appearance of brass on lightened hair, purple or blue-toned lipstick can help teeth appear whiter and brighter. But that doesn’t mean you have to forgo your usual nude or red lip for an electric cobalt shade. Rather, you’ll want to seek out colors with cool undertones to achieve a brighter-looking smile. Cooler shades will contrast against the warm tones in your smile, creating the illusion of whiter teeth.
If you’re unsure whether a lipstick is cool-toned or warm-toned, swatch a few lipsticks on your arm and head near a window to view the shades in natural lighting. Cool shades will typically appear brighter and punchier than warm shades, which are often deeper, moodier, or more bronze in tone. (If you’re a fan of the seasonal color analysis trend on TikTok, you can think of cool shades as “springs” and “winters,” and warm shades as “autumns” and “summers”). Checking the packaging can also be helpful—oftentimes, you’ll find that the label includes a C, N, or W to designate whether the lipstick is cool, neutral, or warm-toned.
The finish of your lipstick can also contribute to how white your teeth appear. If your teeth are stained, it may be best to steer clear of shimmery lipsticks, as the sparkly finish can make your teeth look dull in comparison. A glossy finish, meanwhile, can create a shimmer-free sheen that helps make your teeth appear whiter and brighter. You can top off any lipstick color you like with a clear lip gloss to quickly fake a brighter, whiter smile.
With the right lipstick, teeth look whiter, brighter, and overall healthier. If you want a dedicated lip color that’ll help your teeth look white, try one of the below eight colors and the corresponding lipsticks from L’Oréal Paris.
Red lipstick is the one that we’d argue everyone should have in their makeup collection. It’s a timeless color with countless shade variations to complement any skin tone or undertone. But if your goal is to make teeth look whiter, you’ll want to steer clear of warm-toned reds and stick with cooler reds. Brick reds, scarlets, and orange-reds are pretty, but they have warm undertones that may bring out the yellow hues in stained teeth.
If you’re looking for a true blue-red to add to your collection, we have a few suggestions worth checking out. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Le Rouge Paris is among our favorites, as the not-too-bright, not-too-dark red is the perfect crimson for a bright-looking smile. We also love the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Rouge Avant-Garde, which boasts a comfortable, weightless matte finish.
For those who prefer a glossier lip look, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds Of Worth Satin Lipstick With Saturated Color in Lovely Red. The creamy formula contains vitamin E and argan oil and leaves the look with a gorgeous, satiny finish.
If you don’t want a vibrant lipstick look but still want to make your teeth appear whiter, a nude lip can do the trick. These barely-there hues work well for day or night, can complement any skin tone, and pair perfectly with a classic smokey eye. But, as with reds, you’ll want to pick the right hue. Steer clear of nude shades with warm undertones like caramels or peachy beiges, as these can make your teeth appear duller and more yellow. Instead, try nudes with a tinge of pink, mauve, or cool-toned beige. The L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Nude Admirable is great for those seeking a low-key matte lip look, while the L’Oréal Paris Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick in Nu Impertinent has a slightly shinier finish. Both provide intense color payoff and offer long-lasting wear.
Close your eyes and envision your favorite after-school beverage from childhood. That vibrant, reddish-pink hue you’re likely imagining can be a great color for making your teeth appear whiter. The vibrant shade mimics that natural stain you get on your lips when you overindulge in a sweet drink or eat a cherry-flavored ice pop, and it can make your smile shine in the most flattering way.
To recreate the popsicle effect—without risking staining your tongue—reach for a vivid cherry-hued lipstick, such as the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Reds Of Worth Satin Lipstick With Saturated Color in Successful Red. If you’d prefer something sans shine, the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in French Kiss is a great pick (plus, it stays put for up to 16 hours).
If you’re a fan of dark, bold lipstick shades, don’t think you have to wait until winter to pull out those deep hues. Berry shades are a great pick for brightening your smile, thanks to their naturally cool blue or purple undertones. Admittedly, the berry family is vast, so we’ll give you a few of our top picks.
For a vibrant statement lip look, try picking up a raspberry-hued lipstick, like L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Carmin Courage. This vivid shade straddles the boundary between pink and purple and makes for a seriously sparkling smile. Blackberry hues are also a great pick for faking a whiter smile—try it out with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Les Nus by Colour Riche Intense Nude Lipstick Nu Exuberant.
If rocking vibrant purple lipstick seems intimidating, you can also pick up a cool-toned mulberry shade. We love the L’Oréal Paris Glow Paradise Balm-in-Lipstick with Pomegranate Extract in Ecstatic Mulberry, which boasts a bit of shine for an extra-bright smile.
A cool-toned purple has the right undertones to make the yellow hues in your teeth appear muted, allowing your pearlies to shine bright. This shade differs from berry shades in that it’s more intentionally purple, rather than reddish-purple or purple-pink. It also tends to be bolder and brighter than more muted berry tones. To try out this whitening lipstick shade for yourself, snag the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in the shade Le Rosewood Ambition or the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Pay Day.
There are endless pink lipstick colors to choose from, but the right shade will be necessary to neutralize yellow tones in your teeth. Peach and coral shades aren’t the move here—instead, opt for cool pinky-nudes or shades within the magenta family. For the former, we recommend the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Major Crush, which boasts a soft, mauve tint. If you’re up for something a touch brighter, consider the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Miss Magenta.
Flashback to 2016 when the (unofficial) color of the year was a dark oxblood red that gave fall vibes year-round. This color was social-media-famous for a reason—it’s flirty, alluring, and surprisingly versatile. Plus, as you can probably guess, the sultry shade can help make your teeth look whiter.
This year, oxblood is back in a big way. Embrace the vampy lip trend by contouring your pout with the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Lip Liner in Truly Burgundy before filling in your lips with L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Intense Volume Matte Lipstick in Le Plum Dominant. For an even darker (and cooler) take on the look, reach for a deep purple-red lipstick, such as the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Satin Lipstick in Golden Grape.
Once you start wearing bold lip colors, you’ll never want to go back. Get adventurous with a trendy blue lip color that will help your teeth appear whiter and brighter. Not only is it a fun way to experiment with your makeup, but it’s also the perfect color to make your smile bright and showcase your pearly whites. Whether you choose to go for a brighter or deeper blue, top off your pout with L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Gloss Plump in Mirror for an over-the-top shiny lip.
Almost as important as knowing what shades to gravitate towards is knowing which shades to avoid. Here are three hues to steer clear of when you want to make your teeth appear brighter.
As we mentioned before, warm hues can emphasize the unwanted yellow tones in stained teeth. So to keep your pearly whites looking, well, white, it’s best to avoid shades with a yellow base. This typically includes gold tones, peachy hues, and warmer brown shades (like toffee, honey, or caramel).
Save your favorite orange lipstick for another time. Like yellow, orange-tinted lipsticks can bring out the yellowish tones in your teeth, dulling down your smile. Keep in mind that orange doesn’t just mean tangerine: It can encompass any warm-toned hue with orange undertones, including brick red, peach, or coral.
While some nude shades can make your teeth look whiter, others highlight your discoloration and can completely dull your smile. To ensure you’re putting your best face forward, steer clear of any browns with warm undertones—cooler shades are the way to go here.
Next Up: 11 Red Lipstick Tips and Tricks That We Swear By
Photo Courtesy of L’Oréal Paris
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