How to Pick the Best Nude Lipstick for Your Skin Tone

Finding the perfect nude lipstick is harder than it sounds. Too dark, and you look like you’re trying to make brown lipstick happen, and not in a cool ’90s way. Too light, and you start to resemble the living dead, with any warmth or color drained from your face. However, if you manage to nail the right nude lipstick shade, getting ready will seem so much easier.

According to celebrity makeup artist Sir John, anyone can pull off nude lipstick. “People often hear the word nude and think of one standard color because of what they may have been taught from years of limited advertisement. Nude doesn’t strip your color away—think of it more as a skin-enhancing neutral,” he says. “There is a wide range that is approachable for any skin complexion, just be sure to know your makeup style.”

“To find the perfect nude lipstick, you need to consider your skin tone and undertone,” says makeup artists Fiona Stiles. “Make sure you know if your complexion is cool, warm, or neutral to help find your most complementary shade.”

We spoke to Sir John and Stiles for their tips on how to avoid a beauty faux pas when it comes to a nude lip.

Meet the Expert

• Fiona Stiles is a celebrity makeup artist who has created looks for red carpets, editorial shoots, and brand campaigns alike.
• Sir John is a celebrity makeup artist and brand ambassador. Beyonce, Karlie Kloss, and Gabrielle Union are among his many clients.

Keep reading to find the most flattering nude lipstick for your skin tone. 

Dark

If you have a darker skin tone, Stiles suggests using a sheer gloss like MAC Strip Down Nude Lipglass in Dangerous Curves. “For people of color, it’s all about playing with highlights and shadows to build definition,” Stiles says. She suggests picking a nude shade lighter than your actual skin tone to brighten the face and sticking to a gloss formula for a more natural-looking effect.

MAC
Kinda Sexy
$21.00

To finish the look, consider the eyes and a good blush. “Eye kohl is a nude’s best friend. It creates a perfect balance consistent with day or night looks,” says Sir John. “The blush depends on your undertone and facial structure, but I tend to lean more towards deeper rosy pigments. For deeper complexions, I use peach undertones.”

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