Unless you know what to look for, finding your perfect nude lipstick can be as tricky as finding a needle in a haystack.
Because just like choosing your foundation or concealer, the most suitable nude lipstick is entirely dependent on what’s unique to you; be it your skin tone, hair colour, or personal preference. And as such, no two definitions of ‘nude’ will ever be the same.
And after an arduous process of trial and error, sometimes it can all feel too hard. With techniques such as matching your nipple colour to your nude lipstick, everyone has their own tips and tricks to selecting their ‘perfect shade’. But in an attempt to keep it as simple as possible, with tips that don’t require you to undress in the middle of Sephora, here are our nude lipstick shade picks according to your general skin and hair tone.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine – No.9 Nude Sheer
Cost: $59.00
Best suited to: Light skin with light hair
Top tip: To avoid looking washed out,choose a nude shade with a pink undertone like this lipstick from Yves Saint Laurent. It’s formulated with a dazzling, high-shine finish to instantly brighten up your look.
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Creamy Matte in Daringly Nude
Cost: $17.95
Best suited to: Warm skin tone with light brown hair
Top tip: Choose a lippy with a glossy finish. That way, your lips will stand out from your skin. Supermodel Gigi Hadid swears by this $17.95 lippy from Maybelline New York. If you want a subtle glossy finish, we recommend applying Maybelline’s Baby Lips Colour Balm Crayon in the shade Toasted Taupe.
Top tip: The brown undertone is what gives Angelina Jolie’s signature pout such punch. And of course, you’ll need to pair it with some serious lip liner, we recommend M.A.C Cosmetics Lip Pencil in the shade Cork.
There’s no option for fair skin & dark hair, or cool skin-tone with dark hair. That’s because nude lips look ghastly with my colouring! The closest I’ll go to a nude lip is nipple pink.
I’m fair with cool-toned skin & dark hair, so traditional nude lipsticks make me look like a cadaver. If I’m going to wear a “nude” lipstick, I look for something with pink or even a rosy tone. My go-to’s are from Nude by Nature (the Moisture Shine lipstick in Dusty Rose is almost cadaver-ish on me, but I can pull it off) & Eye of Horus (their Bio Lipstick in Venus Pink is a good pinky-nude).
I love nude lipsticks and loved the tip to choose a lippy with a glossy finish. That way, your lips will stand out from your skin. Thanks for the great articles BH
As I now have grey hair and a fair skin, I no longer wear a too bright lipstick and I now always go for a nude lipstick but for a special occasion one with a slight pink and I have always have preferred a matt finish.
For years I would always choose pinky nudes and wasted so much money before realising I much prefer more browny nudes instead. If only I knew this years ago lol.
As a girl who LOVES her lipstick, this article has too many things I want to comment on! Firstly, I think everyone should have one ‘Power’ lipstick which I think is nicely represented by the YSL lippie at the start…the Maybelline and MAC lippies both look quite wonderful as does the Burt’s bee lipstick which is a gorgeous dark colour and looks quite sexy for someone with dark skin! Nice!
The NYX shade looks so lovely.
The YsL & Maybelline look really good. Currently I’m loving Clinique Dramatically Different Lipstick in Canoodle.
I like the look of the Maybelline colour and the price is great.
My fave “nudes” atm: Bobby Brown crushed liquid lip (in a jam), Pat mcgrath luxe trance (madame greige) and Rimmel (blush touch).
The mac lipstick is good for me so thank you for the info which I needed.
I am always on the hunt for my perfect nude!
The Suede Splash colour by Burts Bees is quite nice. I’ve worn it on several occasion
Gimmee – love all these.
Love the look of YSL Nude Sheer. Beautiful looking lipstick.
Would love to try the YSL.
Just the information I have been looking for. Thanks BH
Im a blue eyed blonde so love a hint of pink in a nude lipstick.
Loving nude lipsticks at the moment!
I’ve not tried a nude lippie before, only reds and pinks
I love the ysl one
I used Maybelline lipsticks.
Oooo so many look cute! What about light/cool skin tone and medium/highlighted hair?!!
There’s no option for fair skin & dark hair, or cool skin-tone with dark hair. That’s because nude lips look ghastly with my colouring! The closest I’ll go to a nude lip is nipple pink.
That NYX red pictured is more up my alley.
Have trouble with nude shades, they often make me look washed out.
Me too! That is my colouring too ! I do avoid nudes too
Nude shades are BO-RING and don’t suit my olive skin at all. I like that pink Ulta3 lippie though, I would wear that!
I’m not a fan of nude lipstick shades. Makes me look washed out.
YSL Nude Sheer – just gorgeous and the packaging too!
I’m fair with cool-toned skin & dark hair, so traditional nude lipsticks make me look like a cadaver. If I’m going to wear a “nude” lipstick, I look for something with pink or even a rosy tone. My go-to’s are from Nude by Nature (the Moisture Shine lipstick in Dusty Rose is almost cadaver-ish on me, but I can pull it off) & Eye of Horus (their Bio Lipstick in Venus Pink is a good pinky-nude).
I need one for warm skinned but light blonde hair.
My lips are quite naturally dark so every time I try anything nudish it just looks weird to me!
I love Mac lipsticks
I love nude lipsticks and loved the tip to choose a lippy with a glossy finish. That way, your lips will stand out from your skin. Thanks for the great articles BH
Always looking for a good nude but so far the right one has eluded me.
I must try these
I’m now curious to try the one recommended for me!
I’ve never been able to find a nude lipstick that looks good on me. Saving this list to swatch next time I go shopping.
I love my two Maybelline lipsticks. Both are Nude but in different ways. One is creamy and the other is matt.
As I now have grey hair and a fair skin, I no longer wear a too bright lipstick and I now always go for a nude lipstick but for a special occasion one with a slight pink and I have always have preferred a matt finish.
i might try one!
For years I would always choose pinky nudes and wasted so much money before realising I much prefer more browny nudes instead. If only I knew this years ago lol.
As a girl who LOVES her lipstick, this article has too many things I want to comment on! Firstly, I think everyone should have one ‘Power’ lipstick which I think is nicely represented by the YSL lippie at the start…the Maybelline and MAC lippies both look quite wonderful as does the Burt’s bee lipstick which is a gorgeous dark colour and looks quite sexy for someone with dark skin! Nice!
Love Mac lippys