How Lipstick Affects Tooth Color: The Optical Illusion Behind a Whiter Smile

Many people believe that a bright smile depends solely on dental hygiene, but cosmetic science and aesthetic dentistry demonstrate that lip color plays a meaningful role in how white teeth appear. Multiple studies have explored how lipstick affects tooth color, especially how cool vs warm undertones influence perceived tooth whiteness.

What the Clinical Studies Found

One notable study, “Lipstick influence on teeth color appearance”, used photographs of smiling women wearing different lip colors (nude, violet, dark red, bright red, brown) and asked 100 observers to rate perceived tooth whiteness on a scale. The study found that red and violet lipsticks received higher “whiter teeth” scores, while nude shades were rated lower. The authors concluded that surrounding lip color exerts a significant visual effect on how teeth are perceived. ²

Another investigation, titled “Influence of Lip Appearances and Tooth Shade on Smile Attractiveness Perception”, assessed how lip thickness, lipstick color, and tooth shade together influence how observers rate a smile’s attractiveness. The results indicated that lip color significantly modifies the visual impression of tooth color, particularly when the tooth shade is not ideal.¹

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Dr. G. Lakshmi Bharathi, BDS provided this everyday hack in an interesting post. She said, "Lipstick shades can influence the perceived whiteness of teeth. Blue-based or cool-toned lipsticks, like berry or classic red, make teeth appear whiter by canceling out yellow tones. In contrast, orange or warm-toned shades may highlight tooth discoloration. Choosing the right lipstick color for white teeth can enhance your smile’s brightness instantly."

Other users were surprised and thanked her for sharing this easy remedy to improve teeth appearance.

The optical principle is that a complementary color effect (blue vs yellow) can cancel or mask certain undertones in the adjacent object (teeth). When a lip color contains a bluish base, it counteracts yellow undertones in teeth, thus making them appear whiter to observers. This optical illusion principle is similar to how certain clothing colors can make skin appear brighter, creating a visual contrast that enhances perceived luminosity.

How the Test Works: Perception, Not Tooth Chemistry

It is important to emphasize that lipstick does not alter the actual color or composition of teeth—it only affects perception. In real life, lighting conditions, camera settings, lip shape, tooth texture, and background all influence the optical result. ²

Different observers may see differences due to individual visual sensitivity, ambient light, or even fatigue. That said, controlled experiments consistently show the directional effect: cooler lip shades enhance perceived whiteness more often.

Practical Suggestions Based on Evidence

• Favor cool-toned reds and berries (those with blue undertones) over coral, orange, or warm browns to help teeth look whiter. ¹

• Avoid “nude” lipsticks with brown or warm base undertones, which tend to reduce contrast and make tooth discoloration more noticeable. ²

• High contrast helps: dark or vivid lip colors often increase the difference between lip and teeth, accentuating whiteness by comparison. ²

• For photography or public appearances, testing lip samples under lighting similar to the environment may help choose the most flattering shade.

Best lipstick shades for whiter teeth include MAC Ruby Woo, Maybelline SuperStay Ink Crayon in “Accept a Dare”, Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in “Uncensored”, and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Cherries in the Snow”. These blue-based tones have been praised by makeup experts for brightening smiles and minimizing yellow tints in teeth (Elle, 2024). ⁴

Conclusion

Scientific studies confirm that lipstick shade meaningfully influences how white teeth appear—especially via the optical interplay between lip color and tooth undertones. While it's not a substitute for dental care, choosing cool-toned lip colors (e.g. berry, blue-based red) can help brighten the appearance of your smile in images or face-to-face.

References

1. Alshali, Rasha Z., Mawada A. Aljoyfani, Sara A. Almarghlani, and Maha A. Althumairi. “Influence of Lip Appearances and Tooth Shade on Smile Attractiveness Perception.” Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry 14, no. 11 (2022): e959–e966. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9788899/.

2. Popa, Diana, and Ionuț L. Popa. “Lipstick Influence on Teeth Color Appearance.” Medicine and Pharmacy Reports 96, no. 3 (2023): 324–331. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10184522/.

3. Colgate Oral Health Network. “Lipstick Color for Whiter Teeth: How Makeup Can Help Brighten Your Smile.” Colgate. Accessed October 2025. https://www.colgate.com/en-in/oral-health/teeth-whitening/lipstick-color-for-whiter-teeth-how-makeup-can-help-brighten-yo.

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