How to Find the Best Nude Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

Nude lipstick is like the Holy Grail of the makeup world. Something so simple, yet somehow so complex to nail. Paired with a bold, smoky eye or a more natural look, the right shade of nude can make all the difference. But the struggle to find a shade that complements without washing you out is real. Too cool, and you look like you’ve missed your lips while applying your foundation. Too warm, and well, it’s like you’ve smeared the wrong concealer over them. So, how do you find your perfect nude without turning your makeup bag into a graveyard of rejected lipsticks?

Know Your Skin Tone

First things first, the term ‘nude’ varies wildly from person to person. It’s all about finding a shade that looks natural on you, which means considering your skin tone. If your skin falls on the lighter side, you might want to avoid going too light with your lipstick – nobody wants invisible lips. Something close to your natural lip colour but better is ideal. Medium skin tones work beautifully with caramel or deep pink shades. For those with a darker complexion, try deeper berry shades or nudes with brown and subtle orange undertones. Remember, if it’s lighter than your foundation, it might just work!

Consider the Undertone

Your skin’s undertone plays a huge part in what looks good on you. If you’ve got cool undertones, think nudes with a slight pink base. They add that fresh, awake look without draining the colour from your face. Warm undertones? Look for nudes with peachy or golden undertones. Olive complexions? Stay warm to keep things lively and avoid looking washed out. The goal is to complement, not compete with, your natural colouring.

Don’t Forget About Your Natural Lip Colour

Yes, your natural lip colour matters too! If you have highly pigmented lips, you might find that many nudes look different on you than they do in the tube. Try to find something that either matches your natural lip colour or has a bit of peach or gold to balance out the natural pigmentation.

Texture Matters

When you’re going nude, texture is your friend. Matte lipsticks might be trendy, but they can also be tricky with nude shades – they tend to emphasize every little line. Instead, look for something with a bit of a sheen or a creamy texture. These formulas help your lips look fuller and more vibrant, even with subdued colour.

Test It Out

Here’s a bit of fun advice: get your hands dirty. Swatch the lipsticks on your hand; it’s the best way to see how the colour changes with your skin’s natural undertone. And when you think you’ve found the one, try it on your lips if possible. The back of your hand isn’t the same as your lips, so it’s important to see how it looks where it actually matters.

Balance Your Makeup

Last but not least, balance is key. A nude lip gives you a bit of a blank canvas with your makeup, so you might want to play up your eyes with a little more drama or add a pop of colour on your cheeks to keep from looking washed out. It’s all about creating harmony on your face.

And there you have it! Finding the perfect nude lipstick is less about following strict rules and more about playing around and seeing what works for you. So next time you’re standing overwhelmed in the lipstick aisle, remember these tips, trust your gut, and you’ll find your perfect match.