It’s such a bummer to flash a toothy grin in a photograph only to realize your teeth aren’t as “pearly white” as you wish they were. It doesn’t matter if you’re an avid coffee, tea, or wine drinker, or you just were not born with a perfect set of teeth: a stained smile can instantly put a damper on your look, no matter how spotless your makeup is.

The good news is you could use a quick and easy trick to fake a whiter smile in an instant: lip color.

Color correcting works for lipstick shades too

If you’re familiar with color correctors, you probably know how green concealers correct redness in the face, and how orange concealers correct the bluish shades under the eyes. Lipstick colors, likewise, have the power to make your teeth look whiter (or yellower) than they truly are.

• Warm-toned lipsticks act against the cool tones on your teeth and further bring out warm, yellow tones.
• Cool-toned shades, on the other hand, counteract warm tones in teeth (yellowish hues) and make them look whiter.

If you still can’t get the hang of it, here are 5 foolproof lipstick shades that help bring out the white in your teeth.

1. Blue-based reds

Looking for a foolproof whitening effect? The classic blue-toned red lipstick is a cult favorite, not only for its ever-flattering hue but also for its power to instantly brighten your pearly whites.

Fill your pout with wine tones, cherry reds, and neutral reds. Stay away from any orange-based red lipsticks which will just accentuate your not-so-white teeth.

2. Pinky nudes

Nude shades can be tricky to pick for whiter teeth. They often lean towards brown or peachy tones, whose warm undertones can make teeth look stained. If you want to make your pearly whites look brighter, opt for pinky nudes that are not too warm.

3. Berry shades

When you don’t want to rock a bold red lipstick but don’t want a nude shade either, pink lipstick is often your safest bet. However, pink lipsticks can be a bit complicated: warm tones can make teeth look more yellow while super cool tones don’t always look great on everybody.

When in doubt, go for ravishing berry shades, like pale pink, light raspberry, mauve, and blackberry. You’ll love how the slightly purple tones work to help your teeth appear whiter.

4. Deep purple with pink tones

Vampy shades, in general, are notorious for making teeth appear slightly more yellow. But if you love the vampy look, stick to darker purples with pink undertones, like deep berry and plum. The deep purple-pink shade helps bring out the white in your teeth than brown-toned dark shades.

5. Blue

Dare to stand out in the crowd? Paint your pout with a bold blue lip color. Since we’ve been talking about how blue-based tones can make your teeth look whiter and brighter, nothing beats a full blue lipstick. Go bright with teal or go deep with navy – it’s up to you.

Lipstick shades to stay away from

You do you when it comes to makeup. But when you need to fake a megawatt smile, there are some offenders you should steer clear of:

• Orange and yellow-based tones – We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again: Warm undertones, in general, won’t do your teeth any favors in this case. Stay away from peachy nudes, orange-based reds, and warm browns. Cool-toned lipsticks are your best bet for brightening your smile.
• Frosty shimmer – While a wee bit of gloss can make your teeth look bright, getting too icy can make your pout look whiter, making your teeth seem discolored.
• Neons – While it’s possible to rock certain fuschias with blue undertones, the best bet is to skip neons. The ultra-vivid hues have a dulling effect for your teeth, the same way neon clothes and nail polish can make your skin look tanner.
• Browns – Whether you’re a smoker or not, brown lips and yellow teeth make you look like you do. Brown shades will just highlight the browns in your smile – the last thing you’d want to happen. If you love deep shades, pick dark berries and purple-y reds.

Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a passionate writer for Napoleon Perdis Makeup Courses, a leading luxury makeup brand in Australia, which prides itself in delivering top of the line cosmetics and makeup courses. Sticking to the heart of the cosmetics brand, she aims to empower women with articles about style and beauty.