Choosing the perfect shade of nude lipstick that works for you is not only difficult, but super important as well. If you find just the right shade of nude lipstick for your skin tone, then you’ll appreciate your facial features on a whole new level, because the difference on your lips will be totally noticeable and stunning. The trick is finding the color that’s neither too dark nor too light, because erring one way or the other could easily have you looking like a hot mess.
Now, there are a lot of factors to take into account when you’re trying to find the right shade of nude lipstick for you. The problem with just offering a set formula for choosing a neutral lipstick shade is that everyone has their own unique skin tone, so the proper shades will vary from person to person.
But, there are certain tips and tricks you can follow in order to ease your search in finding that perfect nude lip color that will bring so much more depth and diversity to your lip look. So, if you read through this, you can start on the right path; although, you might need to play around and tweak some of the best nude lipsticks suggested in order to suit your personal skin tone!
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Alabaster Skin
Alabaster skin is an especially fair tone. In order to play against the milky skin, you should try soft pink nude lipstick colors, but make sure to keep it dusty and in a more natural color in order to keep it in the “nude” category.
Also make sure not to err dark or beige, because then it’ll easily come off as a brown lipstick, which definitely isn’t what you’re going for with nude lipstick. The lovely pink notes will bring out the dainty and delicate features of your pale skin.
Read Next: How to Apply Nude Lipstick Flawlessly
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Fair Skin
Fair skin is a bit darker than alabaster, with a creamier complexion and often with a bit more (but still not much) color. For this type of skin, you’ll want to stick with nude lipsticks with hints of pinks, but go a bit rosier.
A nice rose with beige characteristics will play well against the pale color of your skin, and will add lovely warmth to your look. Going too light won’t translate too well, so you’ll want to go a bit darker than your natural lip color to keep things fresh!
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Light Skin
Women with light skin tones are just a step between fair and olive. So, you’ll want to find a happy middle between the nude lipstick shades for those two skin tones – because of this, there’s a bit of room for playing around.
Women with light skin can try out pinker and beiger shades of nude lipstick depending on their personal preference, but be sure to pick tones that have a bit more body or pigment, since you have a bit more color to work with than those with fair or alabaster skin tones.
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Warm Olive Skin
Olive skin falls in two categories based on its color undertones. If your olive skin has warmer vibes, then you’ll want to opt for beige nude lipsticks with caramel tones, or at least make sure the shade of beige falls more on the pink side, rather than coming off as tan or yellow – it’ll look super warm!
Always be sure to go for a shade that’s darker than your natural skin tone so you don’t zombify yourself! Also you might try to find a nude lipstick with some gloss to it, because warm skin tones glow even more when you throw some gloss on.
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Cool Olive Skin
Olive skin tones can also have cool undertones. Lucky for you if you fall under this category, because this skin tone has arguably the most room for personal choice when it comes to wearing nude lipsticks the right way.
You can go a bit lighter or darker than others can without washing yourself out; although, be sure still not to go lighter than your actual skin tone, because you’ll risk looking like you simply spread some concealer on your lips and called it a day!
A nude lipstick that has a hint of peach at its base will look lovely, as long as the shade isn’t too light compared to your skin tone, and beige would be killer too; if you’re going for a more natural look, you might want to lean more toward the beige-heavy shades, though!
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Tan Skin
Those who have lighter colored hair and tan skin should opt for some shimmer with a glossier nude lipstick. That way whether your tan is natural or fake it will bring out the sun-kissed glow.
This will also make it easier to find nude lipsticks with more nourishing qualities, since it often goes hand in hand with the moisturizing gloss. You’ll want to stick to a color close to your natural lip color, only adding in the gloss for some subtly sexy shine!
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Medium Skin
If your skin is naturally a light to medium shade, you’ll want to use a nude lipstick with a bit of a pop to help your lips stand out from your skin. Try a nude lipstick with a pink tint, since it will help to bring out some of the natural pink hues of your skin.
Likewise, orange undertones might work just as well, depending on your skin’s natural colors. It will also work to bring attention to your lips without going wild on the color, so it’s a subtle way to direct the focal point of your face.
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Caramel Skin
Nude lipsticks that fall between caramel and beige are ideal if you have a caramel skin tone. Keeping the shade natural here will help make your skin’s natural glow the center of your look.
There’s something so intriguing about a nude lipstick when it’s just different enough to be noticeable, but natural enough to not draw an excess of attention. Adding in a gloss over the color would make the look stand out a bit more, so you can go glossy or matte depending on the occasion!
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Mocha Skin
Nude lipsticks can bring a really great level of definition to a mocha skin tone. Mauve enters the mix in a beautiful way, because it perfectly complements the medium-dark skin. It’s a shade that goes well when added in to deep beige hues and gloss, so your pout will be primed to perfection with the different mixtures and formulas you can find with shades like that.
Starting at the mocha skin tone and going darker, you can start looking at chocolate nude shades, and adding in berry tones will add that extra something to make the nude lipstick special.
Best Nude Lipstick Shades for Dark Skin
This goes for any skin tone darker than that medium-dark mocha. When it comes to finding the best nude lipstick for dark skin tones, it’s going to be less about color and more about adding definition because the natural lip color is oftentimes already at its best.
Start by selecting a nude lipstick in a shade lighter than your skin tone, because that will already bring some brightness to your face. Using a gloss will add some beautiful, natural-looking moisture to your lips as well!
Metallic browns help with volume, especially when you can find a formula mixed with gold flecks for that extra dimension.
Photos via @samiorenelda, @marianna_hewitt, Instagram
