Your lipstick drawer probably tells a story: Three barely-touched nudes from 2019, a bold red you wore once, and that coral shade you thought would work but never did. This year's trending lipstick shades aren't about chasing Instagram aesthetics. They're about finding colors that actually work with your skin tone, your wardrobe, and the way you live your life.

This guide walks you through the latest lipstick colors making waves right now, from soft terracottas to moody mauves, and shows you how to pick shades that feel like you rather than a trend you'll regret in three months.

Table of Contents

  • Why Lipstick Trends Matter (and When They Don't)
  • Top Trending Shades This Year
  • Celebrity and Influencer Favorites
  • Seasonal Picks: What to Wear When
  • How to Wear Trending Shades Without Overthinking
  • Where to Shop for Quality Formulas
  • Key Takeaways
  • FAQs

Why Lipstick Trends Matter (and When They Don't)

Trends signal what's fresh, but they're not commandments. A trending lipstick shade matters when it solves a problem you already have. Say, a terracotta that finally bridges the gap between your everyday nude and that unwearable bright orange gathering dust. It doesn't matter when you're forcing a color just because it's popular.

The real value in tracking trends is discovering formulas and finishes you wouldn't have tried otherwise. This year's shift toward jelly tints and hybrid formulas, for instance, gives you long wear without the chalky matte finish that dominated five years ago. The color itself is secondary to whether the formula respects your lips.

Top Trending Shades This Year

Terracotta and Burnt Orange

Warm, earthy tones sit at the top of every trend forecast. Terracotta, a dusty orange-brown, works across Indian skin tones because it echoes natural warmth without looking artificial. Think of it as the cousin of your go-to nude, just with more personality. It pairs well with minimal makeup and doesn't demand a full face to look intentional.

Burnt orange skews bolder but stays grounded. It's bright enough to make a statement, subtle enough for daytime wear. If you've been stuck in the beige-pink loop, this is your exit ramp.

Muted Mauves and Dusty Roses

Mauve had a moment in the '90s, and it's back with better formulas. The 2025 version is softer, less purple, more rose-brown, and it flatters medium to deep skin tones beautifully. Dusty rose sits in the same family but leans pinker. Both shades read as polished without trying too hard, which makes them office-friendly and date-night appropriate.

Berry Stains and Wine Tones

Deep berry and wine shades dominate evening looks. These colors deliver drama without the high-maintenance upkeep of a classic red. Berry stains let you control intensity. Start with one swipe for a bitten look, add two more for full opacity.

Wine tones work year-round in India's climate because they don't clash with warm undertones. They're rich enough to stand alone but won't overwhelm if you're wearing bold eye makeup.

Soft Corals and Peach

Coral is having a comeback, but this year's versions are softer and more wearable. Think peach-leaning corals rather than the neon brights of 2016. These shades brighten your face without looking costume-y, and they're forgiving if your application isn't perfect. A slightly messy coral still reads as fresh; a slightly messy red just looks sloppy.

Nude with a Twist

Classic nudes aren't going anywhere, but the latest lipstick colors add complexity. For example, a hint of mauve, a touch of bronze, or a sheer berry undertone. These elevated nudes keep the ease of your usual MLBB (my lips but better) shade while feeling more current.

Seasonal Picks: What to Wear When

Spring/Summer

Light corals, peachy nudes, and sheer berry stains work best when the weather heats up. These shades don't compete with sun-kissed skin, and their lightness feels appropriate when you're sweating through your foundation by noon. Jelly tints shine here because the dewy finish mimics healthy, hydrated skin.

If you're attending outdoor weddings or daytime events, a soft coral or terracotta won't fade into oblivion in bright sunlight the way pale pinks often do.

Fall/Winter

Deeper tones like wine, mauve, and burnt orange suit cooler months. These colors complement the heavier fabrics and richer textures of fall and winter wardrobes. A wine-toned lip grounds an otherwise neutral outfit, and mauve adds sophistication to festive looks without the commitment of a bold red.

Berry stains are ideal for this season because they intensify naturally as your lips dry slightly in colder weather, giving you that just-bitten look without reapplication.

How to Wear Trending Shades Without Overthinking

Match Intensity to Occasion

Save deep wines and bold terracottas for evenings or events where makeup is expected. For work or casual outings, dilute the intensity. Apply your trending lipstick, blot with a tissue, then press your lips together. You'll keep the color family but soften the impact.

Balance Your Face

If you're wearing a statement lip, keep your eye makeup simple with mascara and maybe a thin liner. If you're doing dramatic eyes, pull back on the lip color. This isn't a rigid rule, but it prevents the "trying too hard" effect that kills an otherwise good look.

Test Before Committing

Swatch on your inner wrist first, not the back of your hand. The wrist is closer to your lip tone and will give you a better preview. If a shade looks good on your wrist but harsh on your lips, the undertone isn't right.

Layer for Customization

Don't like how a shade looks straight from the tube? Layer it over a nude lip liner or mix it with a balm to sheer it out. Most latest lipstick colors are buildable, which means you control the final result.

Where to Shop for Quality Formulas

Type Beauty's lipstick line solves the trend vs. skin-health dilemma. You're not choosing between on-trend colors and formulas that actually care for your lips.

Light Up Lipstick

This creamy, hydrating formula offers 15 shades that cover every trending lipstick category from terracotta to wine to elevated nudes. Infused with niacinamide and vitamin C, it fades pigmentation while you wear it, which means your natural lip tone improves over time. The matte finish lasts up to eight hours, and the dermatologist-tested formula won't dry out your lips mid-wear.

If you're building a capsule lipstick collection, this range covers the full spectrum of this year's trends in formulas that treat lips like skin.

Get Even Hydra Jelly Tint

For the dewy, natural flush that's dominating influencer feeds, this multitasking jelly stick delivers sheer, buildable color with skincare benefits. Enriched with vitamin C and turmeric oil, it fades dark spots and keeps pores clear while giving your lips, cheeks, and eyelids a cohesive wash of color. The water-based formula is non-comedogenic, so it won't trigger breakouts if you extend it onto your face.

This is the formula for anyone chasing that "no-makeup makeup" aesthetic without sacrificing staying power. It's transfer-proof and lasts 12 hours.

Zit Quit Hydra Jelly Tint

If your skin is oily or acne-prone, this jelly tint is built for you. The lightweight, water-based formula won't clog pores, and the infusion of squalene, centella asiatica, and azelaic acid soothes and hydrates while you wear it. The buildable flush of color works for lips, cheeks, and eyes, and the transfer-proof formula holds through humidity and sweat.

It's the rare trending lipstick formula that doesn't compromise skin health for color payoff.

Key Takeaways

  • This year's trending lipstick shades favor warm, earthy tones like terracotta, burnt orange, and wine over cool-toned pinks.
  • Buildable, sheer formulas and jelly tints dominate because they deliver color without the drying matte finishes of earlier trends.
  • Dusty rose, mauve, and soft corals flatter Indian skin tones and work across casual and formal settings.
  • Elevated nudes with hints of mauve, bronze, or berry replace flat beige as the new neutral.
  • Type Beauty's Light Up Lipstick and hydra jelly tints combine on-trend colors with dermatologist-tested, skin-caring formulas.

Find Your Trend

The best trending lipstick isn't the one dominating your feed. It's the one you reach for three mornings in a row without thinking. Start with one shade from this year's top categories, test it in your real life, and build from there.

Ready to try this year's top shades in formulas that treat your lips? Explore Type Beauty's full lipstick collection.

FAQs

What lipstick shades are trending this year?
Terracotta, burnt orange, muted mauve, dusty rose, berry stains, wine tones, soft corals, peach, and elevated nudes (nudes with mauve, bronze, or berry undertones) dominate trending lipstick lists. Warm, earthy tones and buildable sheer formulas are especially popular.

Which lipstick colors suit Indian skin best?
Warm terracottas, burnt oranges, berry tones, and wine shades complement the warm and neutral undertones common in Indian skin. Dusty rose and soft corals work beautifully on medium to deep skin tones. Avoid overly cool-toned pinks or stark nudes that can look ashy.

Are nude shades still in fashion?
Yes, but they've evolved. This year's nudes have more complexity with touches of mauve, bronze, and berry, rather than flat beige. These elevated nudes feel modern and intentional rather than safe or boring.

How do I choose a trendy shade that matches my style?
Start with your wardrobe and daily routine. If you wear neutrals and minimal jewelry, soft corals and elevated nudes integrate easily. If you gravitate toward bold prints or dramatic accessories, wine tones and terracotta can hold their own. Test colors on your wrist first to check if the undertone suits you.

What seasonal shades should I try this year?
For spring and summer, reach for light corals, peachy nudes, and sheer berry stains. For fall and winter, try wine tones, mauves, and burnt orange. Jelly tints work year-round because their dewy finish adapts to any season.