A nude lipstick sounds like the easy purchase. It’s meant to go with everything, take no thought and always look right. In reality, it’s one of the harder shades to buy, because the wrong one can make you look washed out, tired or like you’ve lost your lips completely.
I’ve organised this guide differently from a standard list. First, a quick way to find your own nude. Then twelve shades worth swatching, grouped by depth, with the occasion each one suits. Shade names and availability change from market to market, so treat these as examples to try on rather than guarantees.
How to find your nude
There are three things to look at: your lips, your undertone and your depth.
1. Start with your natural lip colour
The simplest rule, repeated by makeup artists, is to start with a shade that matches your own lip colour and then choose one that’s a touch deeper. L’Oréal Paris describes it as a “your lips, but better” approach, and it works because it keeps the colour looking natural. Look at the inside of your lower lip. That’s close to your lip colour without lipstick or lip balm.
2. Check your undertone
Skin undertones tend to fall into three groups.
- Cool: pink, red or blue tones. Veins on your wrist look blue or purple. Silver jewellery often suits you.
- Warm: yellow, peach or golden tones. Veins look green. Gold jewellery often suits you.
- Neutral: a mix of both. You can wear warm and cool shades.
Cool undertones usually look best in pink-based nudes and rose shades. Warm undertones tend to suit beige, peach and brown-based nudes. Neutral skin can go either way.
3. Think about depth
Fair skin looks lovely in soft pink-beige shades, but very pale lipsticks can disappear. Medium skin can carry rosy browns and mauvey nudes. Deeper skin tones often look best in rich browns, plums and warm caramels, while very light nudes can look chalky.
4. Swatch the right way
If the shop allows it, test on your lips, or on the inside of your fingertip, which is closer to lip colour than your wrist. Look in daylight, not just in shop lighting. Walk around for a few minutes, then check again. If you can, wear it for an hour or so before deciding.
Twelve nude lipsticks to swatch
These are real, widely available examples. Not every shade is sold everywhere, and formulas can change, so check what your local stockists carry.
For fair to light skin
1. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk. The famous pinky nude. It’s soft and flattering on fair to light skin, and the pink keeps it fresh and easy to wear.
2. MAC Matte Lipstick in Mehr. A dusty rose that reads as a lived-in pink. It’s softer than a bright pink and suits cooler undertones.
3. L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche from the Les Nus range. A good drugstore starting point, with a creamy formula in soft pinks and beiges. Pick the shade closest to your lips.
For light to medium skin
4. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk Medium. A deeper, slightly warmer cousin of the original. It suits light to medium skin and works with both warm and cool undertones.
5. MAC Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy. A peachy brown nude that flatters many skin tones and works as a good everyday shade. It’s matte, so use a balm underneath.
6. Maybelline Color Sensational lipsticks in a soft nude. The range includes several beige and pink nudes in a creamy formula at drugstore prices. It’s a simple way to test a shade before spending more.
For medium to olive skin
7. MAC Matte Lipstick in Whirl. A muted rosy-brown that’s one of MAC’s best-known nudes. It looks sophisticated on medium to olive skin and pairs well with bronzed makeup.
8. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Bitch Perfect. A warmer, slightly deeper pink-nude. It’s popular with beauty editors and suits many mid-tones.
9. Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick in Twist. A refined, muted nude with a satin finish. A pricier option, and a good choice if you like a comfortable, polished formula.
For tan to deep skin
10. MAC Matte Lipstick in Taupe. A rich, muted brown-pink that many beauty professionals recommend for deeper skin tones. It looks sleek and modern.
11. Huda Beauty Power Bullet Cream Glow in a warm nude. A hydrating, creamy bullet with a glowy finish, available in a wide range of shades. It’s comfortable and lightly shiny, which looks good on deeper skin.
12. NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream in Cannes. A liquid lipstick that dries to a soft matte, available at a low price. A good starter if you like lip creams, though check that it feels comfortable on your lips.
Many shade ranges are wider than the list above, so if your skin is very deep or very pale, check the full range at the brand’s site or in store.
Best nude lipstick for everyday wear, by situation
For work: a satin or cream pink-beige, such as Pillow Talk or a Les Nus shade. It looks neat and doesn’t need constant touch-ups.
For weekends: a tinted balm or a sheer cream nude. Easy to apply without a mirror.
For evenings: a deeper nude with a matte finish, like Whirl or Taupe. It lasts longer and looks polished.
For photos: a slightly deeper nude than usual. Cameras and flash wash out colour, so a touch more pigment helps.
For a no-makeup look: a tinted lip balm, then blot. It adds colour without any visible lipstick.
Which finish is best for everyday wear?
Cream: comfortable, hydrating and easy to apply. A good default for most people.
Satin: a soft, slightly shiny finish that sits between cream and matte. It looks polished and wears well.
Matte: long-lasting and sophisticated, but can feel drying. Use a lip balm underneath and avoid it if your lips are flaky.
Sheer or tinted: a light wash of colour. Forgiving, but needs reapplication.
Gloss or glaze: shiny and fresh. Wears off quickly and can make lips look fuller.
Make a nude lipstick work for you
A nude lip can look flat if the rest of your face is bare. Add a little blush and groomed brows, and the colour looks intentional. A soft cheek colour, a touch of mascara and brushed-up brows are enough.
If a lipstick looks too pale, add a matching or slightly deeper lip liner around the edge or even all over the lip and then apply lipstick on top. It adds depth and prevents the edges from fading. If it looks too dark, dab it on with a finger and blot for a sheer stain.
You can also change a lipstick: layer a gloss over a matte one for a fuller look, or pat a deeper shade into the centre of the lips for dimension.
A note on safety
Lipstick is applied to a part of your face you touch and lick, so it’s reasonable to wonder about ingredients. The US FDA recommends that lip products, including lipsticks and glosses, contain no more than 10 parts per million of lead as an impurity, and says that its testing found most lipsticks well below that limit. Buy from reputable sellers, avoid products with no ingredient list or batch information, and stop using a lipstick if it irritates your lips. If you have a reaction, see a doctor or pharmacist.
How to make nude lipstick last all day
- Prep your lips. Gently exfoliate with a soft cloth if they’re flaky, then apply a thin layer of balm and let it sink in for a few minutes.
- Line your lips. A lip liner in a matching shade defines the edge and helps colour grip.
- Apply the first layer. Use a brush or the bullet. Fill in the whole lip.
- Blot. Press a tissue between your lips.
- Apply a second thin layer. This builds longevity without looking heavy.
- Wipe the edges. A cotton bud and a little concealer tidy things up.
- Eat carefully. Oily foods wear lipstick off. Reapply after meals.
For a long day, carry a small mirror, a lip balm and your lipstick. A quick touch-up in daylight makes a difference.
What not to do when buying nude lipstick
Choosing the best nude lipstick for everyday wear is as much about avoiding mistakes as finding a perfect shade.
- Don’t pick a shade lighter than your skin. It can make you look washed out.
- Don’t choose a nude without checking undertone. A cool pink on warm skin can look chalky.
- Don’t skip lip care. Any lipstick looks better on soft lips.
- Don’t buy solely from a screenshot. Screens change colour. Swatch in real light if you can.
- Don’t share lipstick. It’s a quick way to share bacteria.
Where to go from here
If you enjoy trying new shades, there’s more makeup advice, from natural looks to eyeshadow, on Glowing Magazine.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best nude lipstick for everyday wear?
The best nude lipstick for everyday wear is a cream or satin shade slightly deeper than your natural lip colour. For fair skin, try a pink-beige. For medium skin, try a rosy brown. For tan and deep skin, try a warm brown or mauve nude.
How do I pick a nude lipstick for my skin tone?
Start with your natural lip colour, then pick a shade a little deeper. Cool undertones suit pink-based nudes, warm undertones suit beige and brown nudes, and neutral skin can wear both. Swatch in daylight and wear it for an hour before you decide.
Are nude lipsticks still in style?
Yes. Nude lipsticks are a staple, because they go with almost any outfit and suit everyday makeup. The look has moved away from pale, flat nudes towards richer, more flattering shades with a bit of colour.
Does nude lipstick suit pale skin?
It can, but choose a pink-beige or soft rose rather than a very pale beige, which can wash out fair skin. Adding a little blush and mascara helps the lip colour look balanced.
How do I stop nude lipstick looking dull?
Choose a shade with a bit more pink, peach or brown than your lips, add a touch of blush so your face looks balanced, and layer a clear gloss in the centre of the lips. A matching lip liner also adds depth.
Conclusion
The best nude lipstick for everyday wear is the one that looks like your lips, only better. Start with your natural colour, check your undertone, swatch in daylight and choose a finish you’ll enjoy wearing. Once you’ve found it, buy a spare.
