Prescriptives Colorprint service makes it easier to choose flattering shades.

A recent survey conducted by Crest and Oral-B found that smiles were ranked as the most alluring physical feature, winning out over eyes, hair and even body. This seemed reason enough to treat ourselves to a luxurious lip color — and take advantage of Prescriptives’ trusty Colorprint service.

Colorprint helps you identify your skin’s undertone, taking some of the trial and error out of choosing the right shade. At the makeup counter, a Prescriptives analyst determines your color family — yellow/orange, red/orange, red or blue/red. “Knowing your skin’s undertone is the No. 1 aspect in picking your lip color because skin tone determines whether you look better in warmer or cooler colors,” says Jillian Veran, director of artistry for Prescriptives.

The knowledge also is helpful when creating your own Custom Blend Lip Gloss — simply choose a base shade guided by your Colorprint, then select a finish and optional flavor, such as melon, chocolate or mint. We had heard that lipsticks with blue/red undertones make teeth appear whiter, but Veran says that’s “only true to an extent” and works best for someone who has rose undertones in her complexion. If you feel your teeth are on the yellow side, Veran says, “You want to avoid anything too bright or too pale and stick to neutral colors.”

We like taking out some of the guesswork at the makeup counter. Would you custom blend your own lip color or do you prefer to select pre-existing shades?

Tags: Anatomy, Biology, Color, Cosmetics, director of artistry, Jillian Veran, Lip, Lip gloss, Lipstick, Perception, Prescriptives, Prescriptives analyst, Yellow