These are the best lipsticks that make your teeth look whiter according to a make-up artist

red lipstick and white teeth - best lipstick to make teeth look whiter
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Not all of us are blessed with a beautiful set of pearly whites. And in-clinic teeth whitening treatments are an investment. The easiest way to make your teeth look whiter is to choose a lipstick shade that creates the illusion of a brighter smile.

Caroline Barnes, Max Factor's UK Makeup Artist Ambassador, has given Marie Claire the low down on the best lipsticks that make your teeth look whiter.

'Bright shades of hot pink and classic Hollywood reds with blue tones really help give the appearance of whiter teeth,' she says. 'These tones also make the whites of our eyes sparkle.' Quite the added bonus. 'You're also not restricted at all by finish, the colour is what's key here.'

Pink lipsticks to make teeth look whiter

Shiseido Cologel Lipbalm in Azalea, £25 | Lookfantastic

Shiseido Cologel Lipbalm in Azalea, £25 | Lookfantastic
So lightweight you'll forget you're wearing it.

Red lipsticks to make teeth look whiter

Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Ribbon, £26

Lisa Eldridge True Velvet Lip Colour in Velvet Ribbon, £26
One of the UK's most celebrated make-up artists gives us the perfect red lip shade. One of the best red lipsticks you can get.

Sensai The Lipstick in Sazanka Red, £42 | Harrods

Sensai The Lipstick in Sazanka Red, £42 | Harrods
This rather clever lipstick is formulated to help improve microcirculation and boost hydration.

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick with Vitamin E in Ruby Tuesday, £8.99 | Lookfantastic

Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick with Vitamin E in Ruby Tuesday, £8.99 | Lookfantastic
This super nourishing lipstick feels like a lip balm but has the payoff of a lipstick.

The colours to avoid, as they make teeth appear more yellow, are nudes and warm shades with brown or orange undertones.

We recommend pairing your lipstick with a whitening pen, like Spotlight Oral Care's Teeth Whitening Pen. It's a cracking teeth whitening kit that's ideal for on the go.

The perfect handbag duo.

Katie Thomas

Katie Thomas is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire UK. With over 10 years of experience on women's luxury lifestyle titles, she covers everything from the best beauty looks from the red carpet and stand out trends from the catwalk, to colonic irrigation and to the best mascaras on the market. She started her career on fashion desks across the industry - from The Telegraph to Brides - but found her calling in the Tatler beauty department. From there she moved to Instyle, before joining the Marie Claire digital team in 2018. She’s made it her own personal mission to find the best concealer in the world to cover her tenacious dark circles. She’s obsessed with skincare that makes her skin bouncy and glowy, low-maintenance hair that doesn’t require brushing and a cracking good manicure. Oh and she wears more jewellery than the Queen.