How to Choose the Perfect Nude Lipstick

Because ‘nude’ means a different thing for everyone there is no one shade fits all. You want your lips to look natural-looking, so the most important thing to consider when shopping is obviously your skin tone.

Different skin tones need to consider different factors when choosing a nude lipstick. If you’re fair, it is recommended that you match your nude lippie to the natural colour of your actual lips. Don’t go any lighter because lipsticks in these tones can easily make you look washed out and ghostly.

Dark skin tones, however, should actually go for a shade slightly lighter than their foundation, and colours that look similar to chocolate or deep berry tones. Medium skin tones should go for shades that sound delicious too - think caramels and toffees - and opt for a colour slightly lighter or darker than their skin tone.

Know Your Undertones

Knowing your undertone can also help you avoid looking like you’ve simply covered your lips in concealer. If you have warm undertones then stick to nudes that have rosy, chocolatey or caramel hues in them. And if your undertones are cool then go for nudes that have more taupe, frosty pinks or purple tones.

Prepare Your Canvas

Nude lips can be unforgiving to chapped and dry lips so be sure to exfoliate and moisturise your lips before attempting this look. Some people like to paint foundation over their lips when applying so that their lipstick colour really pops when applied. This is fine to do, as long as you aren’t too heavy-handed with the foundation and it doesn’t have a mattifying effect.

Consider Your Whole Look

It is crucial to balance the rest of your make up carefully when wearing a nude lip as it can be easy to look washed out. If your nude lip is on the pale side then be sure to define your eyes well with mascara and/or eyeliner so that your features don’t get lost. Or if your nude lip has hints of blush to it then choose a blush for your cheeks in the same colour family. There are no set rules for your makeup, just try to create a sense of balance.

Read More. Skin Undertones: Making It Super Easy To Choose The Right Makeup Shades For You

The Best Nude Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

Nude Lipsticks for A Fair Skin

If you have pale, milky skin (think Emma Stone or Sarah Rafferty) try soft baby pinks with a little bit of sheer as the pink and red undertones in lipsticks will bring warmth to your face.

Steer clear of orange or yellow-toned shades, which can make you look sallow, and be wary of matte lipsticks (to avoid the not-so-desirable corpse look).

If you’re pale, remember it’s extra important to pair a nude lip with defined eyes and a hint of bronzer to warm up your complexion.

Our picks: L'Oréal Infallible Lip Crayon in Tres Sweet, Maybelline Lifter Gloss in Ice, Rimmel The Only One Lipstick in I Dare You, Essence Hydrating Nude Lipstick in Romantic, Maybelline Color Sensational Liquid Matte Lipstick in Truly and Yardley Intense Shine Lipstick in Love Sick.

 

Nude Lipsticks for A Light Olive Medium Skin

If you have a light skin with a slightly olive undertone (think Kylie Jenner or Kate Moss) you can pull off a lipstick with a bit more pigment.

Warm tones are the most flattering and a pink-y beige choice is good as it's a shade darker than your skin tone. Avoid anything with a hint of yellow in it, and opt rather for rosy tones that will complement your olive colouring.

Our picks: Revlon Superlustrous Lipstick in Bare It All - Peachy Nude, Rimmel The Only One Lipstick in Ain’t No Other, Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Double Shot, L'Oréal Infallible Les Chocolates Liquid Lipstick in Sweet Tooth and Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Lip Colour in Blush.

Read More. How Choosing the Best Blush Is the Secret to Always Looking Awesome

 

Nude Lipsticks for A Bronzed Sunkissed Olive Skin

If like Gigi Hadid you sometimes have a deep suntan and blonde hair, or have a natural bronzy glow, go for a shimmery/glossy nude lipstick as it accentuates your sun-kissed look and will make you appear like you've just had a holiday!

Our picks: L'Oréal Infallible Les Chocolates Liquid Lipstick in Box of Chocolate, Revlon Superlustrous Melting Glass Lipcolor in Glassy Spiced Brown, LA Girl Glossy Plumping Lipgloss in Plush and Revlon Superlustrous Lipstick in Nude Fury - Creamy Toffee Nude.

 

Nude Lipsticks for A Deep Olive Skin

Golden beige shades enhance olive complexions and bring out your lips so that they don’t disappear. Cool tones also complement the warm undertones of an olive complexion beautifully.

Our picks: Black Opal Risque Matte Lipstick in Misfit, Revlon Lipstick Superlustrous Lipstick in Coffee Bean, Yardley Intense Shine Lipstick in Darling, and L'Oréal Infallible Lip Colour in Perpetual Brown. Maybelline Sensational Liquid Matte Lipstick in Barely Nude is a perfect cool tone to complement an olive skin.

Read More. THIS Is the Secret to Finding Your Perfect Nude Nail Polish

 

Nude Lipsticks for A Warm Golden Brown Skin

With a warm brown skin tone (think Rihanna) a shade with a hint of rose or shades of caramel and toffee will really flatter your complexion, brighten your eyes and make your teeth look whiter. Dot a touch of clear gloss in the centre of your lips for a super sensuous look.

Our picks: Revlon Superlustrous Melting Glass Lipcolor in Glassy Toasted Nude, Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Lip Colour in Amazonian, Black Opal Color Splurge Lipgloss Stick in Zen, L'Oréal Infallible Lip Crayon in Tres Sweet, Revlon Colorstay Satin Ink Lipstick in Nude – Your Go-To, Rimmel Lasting Finish Matt Lipstick in Honey Nude and Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon Lip Colour in Enjoy the View.

 

Nude Lipsticks for A Rich Deep Dark Skin

If you have a deep and rich dark skin tone (think Lupita Nyong'o) look for shimmery shades that will reflect light so that your colour stands out. You want a colour that is the same as your lips or one shade lighter. If your top lip is a different shade to your bottom lip or the centre of your mouth is slightly lighter, match your nude lipstick to the lightest part of your lips.

Neutralise your lips by using a brown lip pencil for the entire mouth area before choosing bronze-y brown shades or nudes with a hint of metallic. You could also layer over your brown lip pencil with a slightly orangey-red brown lipstick for a warmer look.

Our picks: Revlon Colorstay Satin Ink Lipstick in Chocolate - In So Deep, Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Crayon Lip Colour in Live On The Edge, Black Opal Color Splurge Risque Crème Lipstick in Bon Bon and Revlon Superlustrous Glass Shine Lipstick in Warm Brown.

Read More. How to Use Makeup to Look Amazing If You Have Dark Skin