My beautiful mother has worn the same shade of lipstick my entire life: Cherries in the Snow from Revlon. This iconic pink shade has gotten her countless compliments over the years and even had a shoutout on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Seeing her apply it day after day to complete her look taught me the value of having a signature lip color. She always knew it would work not just with what she wore but with how it made her feel. I can’t picture her wearing any other lipstick and it inspired my search for my own go-to shade.

Makeup is a fun way to express ourselves, highlight our unique features and boost our confidence. And the right lip color can do all of that in a few swipes. To help you identify your perfect shade, follow these steps:

1. Identify your skin tone.

Skin tones are typically classified as cool, warm or neutral. Cool skin has pink or blue undertones. Warm skin has undertones of yellow or olive. Neutral skin will have both pink and yellow to it. Lip colors with blue or purple undertones will flatter cool undertones, while those with warm undertones look best with red and orange undertones. My skin is warm, which is why the first time I applied my now-signature shade, Lana by NARS, I felt like my face lit up. It was love at first pucker.

2. Pick your finish.

Once you narrow down the colors to try, you need to think about the final look you want. Do you like a matte finish or something more glossy? And do you want the color to be solid or a bit more transparent? I find matte formulas drying but I don’t like anything too shiny (since my entire face tends to be shiny). The NARS shade I chose has a satin finish, which is right in the middle.

3. Choose your formula.

Liquid or solid? Regular or longwear? The formula that’s best for you will depend on when you usually wear lipstick, where you’ll be (aka the climate) and what you’ll be doing. Brush-on formulas tend to last longer and be easier to apply but create a more sharp, finished line. Solid formulas don’t always have the staying power (a matching lipliner can help) but they can be easier to blend for a more casual effect.

4. Think about the rest of your look.

If you’re going for a bold color, consider what you’ll be pairing it with. The rest of your makeup look, your hairstyle, the colors of clothing you wear—choose a shade that brings it all together. I like to have a nude (I love this one) as well as a bolder color that also compliments my hair color, complexion and overall personal style on hand.

5. Play around.

Once you’ve selected a few options, have fun trying them out. Wear them with different hairstyles and outfits and use this as an excuse to take copious selfies in various settings. See how they stand up to eating, kissing or all-day wear. Do they dry your lips out or does the color bleed outside your lip line? (This product can help with that.) Whatever you choose (and there are no wrong answers), it should make you feel absolutely fabulous.

Want more tips? Learn how to shop for everyday dishes here.

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