Finding a nude lipstick for your skin tone is harder than it sounds, because "nude" is not one color. A beige that looks natural on one person looks like concealer on another. The right nude is close to your own lip color, a touch deeper than your skin, and in tune with your undertone.
What "nude" really means
A nude lipstick is a neutral shade that evens out and softly defines the lips without looking like obvious color. Your nude is personal. The best starting point is your bare lips.
The two rules
- Go slightly deeper than your skin tone, not lighter. A nude that is paler than your skin erases your lips and can make you look unwell.
- Match your undertone. Warm skin suits peachy, caramel and golden-brown nudes. Cool skin suits pink, rosy and mauve nudes. Neutral skin can wear both. See Skin Undertones: Warm, Cool, Neutral, and Olive.
Shade guide
| Skin depth | Warm undertone | Cool undertone |
|---|---|---|
| Fair | Peachy beige, soft apricot | Pale pink-beige, soft rose |
| Light to medium | Warm beige, honey, caramel | Dusty rose, pink-brown, mauve-beige |
| Tan and olive | Caramel, toffee, terracotta-nude | Rosy brown, deep mauve |
| Deep | Chestnut, warm cocoa, caramel-brown | Berry-brown, plum-brown, espresso with a rosy cast |
Find your shade from your own lips
Look at your bare lips in daylight.
- If they are pale pink, a pink-beige one step deeper will suit you.
- If they are rosy or mauve, look at dusty rose and mauve nudes.
- If they are brown or two-toned, choose brown-based nudes and use a liner to even out the tone.
This "my lips but better" shade is the most reliable nude. The Lipstick Shade Finder can suggest a family to start from.
How to stop a nude looking washed out
- Add a liner. A lip liner one or two shades deeper than the lipstick, blended inward, brings back definition. This is especially helpful on deeper skin. See How to Apply Lip Liner for a Defined Look.
- Keep some color on the face. Blush and a little bronzer balance a quiet lip.
- Add shine. A dab of gloss in the center gives dimension.
- Pick a warmer or rosier shade. Gray-beige nudes are the most likely to look flat.
Finish makes a difference
- Satin and cream nudes are the most forgiving.
- Gloss adds freshness and makes lips look fuller.
- Matte nudes can look dry or chalky if the shade is slightly too light. Choose them a little deeper.
Lipstick Finishes: Matte, Satin, Glossy, and Sheer explains finishes.
How to wear nude lipstick
| Look | How |
|---|---|
| Everyday | Nude satin lipstick, mascara and a touch of blush |
| With a smoky eye | A rosy or brown nude, lined and blended, to balance strong eyes |
| Fuller-looking lips | Slightly deeper liner at the edge, nude lipstick, gloss in the center |
| Minimal | Tinted balm in your nude shade |
Testing in a shop or online
- Swatch on your fingertip or the inside of your lower lip area if hygiene allows, not just on your hand.
- Hold it beside your face in daylight.
- Compare two or three nudes side by side. The differences between them become obvious.
- Online, look for photos of the shade on someone with skin similar to yours.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the palest beige on the shelf.
- Wearing a cool, gray nude on warm skin, or the reverse.
- Skipping liner when the lipstick is close to your skin color.
- Using concealer on the lips under a pale nude, which removes all natural color.
More than one nude
Many people like to have two: a lighter, rosier one for daytime and a deeper, browner one for evening or for wearing with stronger eye makeup. For brighter shades, How to Choose Lipstick for Your Skin Undertone has a wider guide to choosing lipstick by undertone.
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Frequently asked questions
Should nude lipstick be lighter or darker than my lips?
Close to your natural lip color or slightly deeper. A nude much lighter than your lips and skin tends to look chalky.
What nude lipstick works on dark skin?
Rich browns, caramel, chestnut and berry-browns usually look most natural. Pairing them with a deeper liner adds definition.
Why does nude lipstick make me look pale?
The shade is probably too light or the wrong undertone. Choose one that is a step deeper and warmer or rosier, and add blush.