While it may not be within my budget to buy a Chanel bag just yet (a girl can dream), I can at least say I've made a few small but mighty purchases from the ultra-chic fashion house by picking up some of its insanely good makeup products. As a beauty editor who has the privilege of testing luxury makeup brands on the regular, I'll be the first to tell you that Chanel products, in particular, are completely worth it. Any time I wear something from the brand, I feel not only high-end but a bit more like I could blend in with impossibly chic French people. One Chanel makeup item the Who What Wear beauty team never shuts up about is the brand's dynamic and impossibly comfortable lipsticks. Trust us—these are some of the most elegant lipstick colours in the world.
Whether you need a bold lip stain for a night out or a neutral colour to finish your everyday look, I guarantee Chanel has you covered. But the eternal question remains: Which hues are best and capable of looking good on every skin tone?
I couldn't answer such a question without the help of a talented makeup artist. I asked Chanel makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown to pick out the hues she loves most for a few different skin tones. It wasn't an easy feat, but she was up to the task. In fact, she had more than enough to share.
Scroll to find what shades made the list of all-time best Chanel lipsticks, according to the atelier.
The Best Chanel Lipsticks for Golden, Olive, and Tan Skin Tones
Brown had a few ideal shades to recommend for those who share my skin tone. I love warm or deep neutrals with the occasional bright shade for special occasions. Brown found me a few choice Chanel shades that fit the bill below.
"This is a perfect neutral nude for medium skin tones. This shade doesn't pull warm or cool. I love to pair this with a clean, monochromatic, sculpted face, as something very tonal feels modern and fresh, as opposed to pairing it with deeper eyes." — Brown
"A perfectly balanced, universal red shade that would read as a lovely popsicle stain on medium skin tone. This colour would bring a youthful, easy 'pop' to the face." — Brown
Like I said above, warm, neutral shades are my jam. I love that this one has just enough color to give my lips a flush without looking too dressy or too pink.
This deeper red-brown is absolutely everything. I'd wear this to a holiday party or a fun dinner because it would pop against my warm olive-toned skin.
The Best Chanel Lipsticks for Deep Skin Tones
Brown selected gorgeous mauve and burgundy shades for Who What Wear assistant beauty editor Maya Thomas.
"A beautiful way to wear bold shades is with high-shine formulas. This red has a touch of berry and plum that goes beautifully with the red undertone warmth of her skin tone. The shine of this lip colour would really accentuate her beautiful smile." — Brown
"An easy deep pink-brown colour in a balm formula. It is a casual, comfortable colour. Paired with a mid-tone brown lip liner, this reads as just a kiss of brightening colour on deeper skin tones. This light-touch lip colour pairs perfectly with the youthfulness of her face." — Brown
While this deep burgundy is similar to the Chanel lipstick shade Surprise, it's great for those with a deeper skin tone who want to go for something that's a bit more wine-colored.
The Best Chanel Lipsticks for Fair Skin Tones
For Who What Wear beauty director Erin Jahns, who has fair skin, Brown loves playful pinks.
As a bonus, Jahns already owns and loves the Rouge Allure L'Extrait High-Intensity Colour in the shade Rouge Puissant. It's the gorgeous fire-engine red shade she's wearing in the photo above.
"Full coverage of a soft pale ballerina pink for an updated turn on a timeless classic. Pair this lip colour with a nude liner for a chic pout with staying power. This shade picks up the peachy tones in her cheeks and gives a tonal effect." — Brown
"This is a bold, pinky red. Whereas a blue-red may be too harsh, this is a pink-red that reads as a complementary bold colour for a neutral and cool undertone. With her pale eyes and hair, this would read 'drama' on the lips. This is an absolute necessity." — Brown
Warm, bright, and nude shades are the name of the game for former Who What Wear beauty editor Katie Berohn. Brown selected a vibrant hue along with a natural-looking pink for her.
"A bold, bright coral for an unexpected pop on the lips. This lip colour is very warm-hued, so the shade doesn't tip into a pastel." — Brown
"I love this lip colour for when I want to do a more subdued lip, but not a nude lip. This lip colour would be so lovely paired with a smoky chocolate eye. This is a lip colour that looks like a boost of her natural colour, so lips are drawing attention, but not pulling focus." — Brown
Brown loves fuchsias and reds for Who What Wear associate beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock. They complement her warmer golden skin tone.
"The perfect, 'pouty-light' warm pink. The warmth of this pink picks up the golden tones in her skin tone." — Brown
"This is more of a moody red than a glaringly bright, cheery red. It's more of a deep blue, sophisticated red. The blue of this shade against light hair and eyes gives a crisp, elegant statement." — Brown
More Universally Flattering Chanel Lipstick Shades Brown Loves
"This gives a quintessentially classic French red lip. It complements a variety of skin tones and hair colours and has never failed me." — Brown
"The nude chameleon. This is a light nude pink that takes on the life of any brown, nude-toned liner to make it truly universal. This also has the perfect amount of pink to not wash you out." — Brown
"A perfect neutral in a comfortable texture with just the right amount of reflectiveness. It leans neither warm nor cool. This lip colour can easily take on the life of whatever lip liner you pair it with. To warm it up, add a peach nude liner. For a slightly ombré effect, use a raisin lip liner and then use this to cool down the lip liner's warmth in the centre of lips. It is so wildly versatile." — Brown
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
-
I've Tried Tonnes of Hair Tools, But This One Has Become a Non-Negotiable in My RoutineI won't use anything else.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge's Manicurist Says These Are the Chicest Nail Colour Trends You Can Wear in 2025A shortcut to looking expensive.
-
Blue Eyeshadow is Officially Back—Here's How We're Wearing It NowScroll for inspo.
-
Trust Me: These 5 Beauty Trends Are Set to Make a Major Comeback in 2025Watch this space.
-
We Tested All the Best Round Brushes for a Voluminous, Bouncy Blowout at HomeLike you just stepped out the salon.
-
If You Want to Smell Like an Italian Woman Who Owns Countless Bottega Bags, This Is the Perfume to WearAre they worth it? Let's find out.
-
Makeup Artists Say These Are the Best Lipstick Colours to Try If You're BlondeThe exact shades.
-
I Tried Almost Every Victoria Beckham Beauty Product, But Only These Ones Now Have a Permanent Spot in My Makeup BagWhat's worth trying.
