Finding lip colors that are flattering for Asian complexions can be hard when you live in the states. It's especially hard when all you want to do is find a red lip color so that you can feel like Keira Knightley or Gwen Stefani (I mean, who doesn't want that?). You could of course go to websites selling Asian beauty products like Takashima, but then you get stuck paying either shipping or the inflated prices that come with imported products.
Despite it being difficult to find lipsticks that go with my skin tone, lipsticks are still my favorite piece of makeup. I love the way it can change your whole look or make you look more dressed up/pulled together than you really are. It took a bit of trial and error, testing out beauty products at department stores, borrowing makeup from friends, and reading reviews online, but I have finally found 6 easy shades that have become my go-tos. The nice thing about all six of these colors is that they're available from easy-to-find American stores, so none of them should be hard to hunt down.

1. ChapStick Total Hyrdration 3 in Merlot Tinted Lip Balm - An easy, everyday color that gives your lip a subtle amount of color without any glitter, stickiness, etc. Nice and simple.
2. Revlon Colorburst Balm Stain, Honey – This color is perfect pink and looks natural enough you can wear it every day. Like all of the colors from this collection, it applies easily and moisturizes considerably more than the average lip color.
3. Chanel Envoutante – I’ve always been a fan of deep, berry colored lips and this color is fool proof. It applies pretty sheer to add a subtle amount of color, but builds up easily. I love the slight shimmer to this lipstick and have found this to be one of the moisturizing lipsticks I’ve ever tried.
4. Nars, Palais Royal – I’m a huge fan of lip crayons and this Nars one is great. Beautiful berry color, doesn’t smudge and is just a tad more subdued than Rock Steady. It’s a compromise between Rock Steady and Envoutante for those days you just can’t decide.
5. Gwen Stefani for Urban Decay, Rock Steady – This has become my favorite lipstick recently and I wear it all the time! This bright red packs a punch, but is much more wearable as a red lipstick due to its berry color. Highly recommend!
6. Chanel Gabriel – I spent years searching for the perfect fire engine red and tried everything from Revlon to Dior to Maybelline, etc. The biggest challenge for me was that most reds had orange undertones that washed out my skin. This is the most flattering bright red that I’ve found to date.