Although it may seem like picking a nude lipstick that matches your skin perfectly would be the right choice, it’s actually a bit more nuanced. Some experts will say to choose a shade two deeper than your lip color while others will say to match your nude lipstick to the color of your nipples (yes, really), but those aren’t the only ways to do it. Preference comes into play, too, and if you’d rather wear a lighter or darker shade, that’s up to you. In general, you should look to your coloring with both your skin tone (fair, medium, olive, dark) and your undertones (cool, warm, neutral, olive) to help inform your decision.

If you’re struggling with finding the best nude color lipstick for you or simply want to try it before you buy it, you’ll love our Virtual Try-On Studio, which allows you to do just that. All you have to do is pick the products you want to try and you get to see how they look on your face! This can be a great way to figure out which other products you might want to wear with your new nude lipstick too.

Nude lipstick is meant to be similar to a person’s skin tone although it doesn’t have to be a perfect match. It’s really meant to be more of a complementary color. Like a pair of trusty blue jeans, a nude lipstick is supposed to be something you can swipe on and instantly feel good in, whether you’re going to the office or a special event. It’s a reliable staple that can help enhance your complexion and leave you looking polished

First things first, before you even grab your nude lipstick– the key is to pair it with a similar shade of lip liner. Using a lip liner has a laundry list of benefits including: it allows you to exaggerate the size of your lips– simply draw outside your lip line to give yourself a plumper-looking pout– it will help to keep your lipstick from migrating outside of your lip line, and it can help to adjust the tone of your lips and lipstick to create the most flattering nude shade possible. If you’re trying to achieve the latter, you’ll want to apply the liner all over your lips as a base, which will not only affect the color of the lipstick you put over top, but will also act as a primer and give your lip look additional staying power. 

Depending on the type of lipstick you choose– liquid, matte, high shine, bullet, crayon, gloss, etc.– the application process will vary, but after you apply your lip liner, all you need to do is swipe on your nude lipstick. If you’re worried about it getting on your teeth, you can bend your pointer finger and smooch your lips around it– that’ll remove any excess product. Because nudes are so forgiving, you don’t have to be super precise with the application, making on-the-go touch-ups a little bit easier.

There are plenty of reasons to reach for a nude lipstick, chief among them being that it’s a basic that goes with everything. From a white dress on your wedding day to a bikini poolside on vacation, a nude lipstick transcends time and occasions. Not to mention, when you choose the right one, it has the power to complement your complexion perfectly. It’s the ultimate no-stress makeup staple, just throw on a nude lipstick and you’re good to go. Additionally, nude lipsticks excel at enhancing your overall makeup by seamlessly integrating with any look without overshadowing other elements, such as a bold eye design. They are particularly effective at balancing lip tone variations, providing a uniform color that boosts confidence. Plus, they are less noticeable when they begin to fade, maintaining your polished appearance throughout the day without the need for constant touch-ups.

Summary

Now that you’ve been through nude lipstick boot camp and have chosen the hue that’s right for you, get ready to swipe nonstop. We’d love to see your nude lipstick looks, so be sure to tag us on social at @Maybelline. Mwah!