A flattering nude lipstick is a makeup vanity essential. Much like a clear lip gloss or a liquid eyeliner, the nude lippie is also extremely versatile and can be paired with endless OOTDs. With subtle and ‘no makeup’ makeup looks still headlining glam briefs of multiple celebrities and red-carpet events, it’s essential to own and keep a nude lipstick shade that will seamlessly blend with your personal style. Ideal for people who like a neutral base for everyday wear, nude lippies can pull together any look with a touch of effortless glam.
Having said that, not all nude shades will complement all undertones. Nude lipsticks are meant to subtly enhance your natural lip shape, not cancel them completely. Therefore, it is crucial to find a shade and finish that complements your unique skin tone and preferences.
How to find the perfect nude lipstick
When it comes to selecting the ideal nude lipstick colour for you, start by identifying your skin’s undertone. Broadly speaking, there are three main skin undertones — cool, warm and neutral. There is a high chance that you may have come across these terms at some point, but here’s what each of them really means. “One’s skin’s undertone can be a little more reddish/pinkish or on the yellowish side,” explains celebrity makeup artist Tanvi Marathe. If it’s more pinkish or reddish, it’s a cool undertone, and in case it’s yellowish (i.e., if you can see more yellow than red or pink in the skin), it’s a warm undertone. “Sometimes, there are people who fall under both categories; that’s when you know that the person has a neutral undertone,” she elaborates.
How do you identify your skin’s undertone? Take the vein test! “If you just look at the veins running on your wrist very closely, you’ll notice a more prominent hue. If the veins are bluish in colour, then it’s said that the person has cool undertones,” reveals Marathe. On the other hand, if the veins are greener in colour, then it’s an inference of a warm undertone, adds the makeup expert. If the veins exhibit a blue-green shade in equal parts, the undertone is neutral.
Another way of identifying your skin undertone is by undertaking, as they call it in the field of professional makeup, the jewellery test. “It’s one of the oldest techniques of finding out one’s undertone in the makeup industry,” reveals Marathe. She goes on to explain that if silver jewellery is a more flattering option for someone over gold, they’re likely part of the cool undertone category, whereas if a gold-hued necklace or earring complements someone better, they’re likely in possession of a warm undertone. “And people who carry off both equally well are probably ones with a neutral skin tone,” says Marathe.
Once you have your undertone pinned, go ahead and try on a couple of nude lipstick shades at the beauty store. For warm undertones, shades with peachy or caramel tones work wonders. On the other hand, cooler undertones do well with pink or mauve undertones. When you have the shade, note that matte finishes offer a more sophisticated, elegant look, while glossy finishes provide a more youthful and playful appearance.
Best nude lipsticks – hacks & tricks
There’s only so much you can do by experimenting and trying different colours according to your undertone. Sometimes, a hack or two can come in handy. Here are our tried and tested ones for you to try:
- Choose a shade closer to the natural colour of your lips’ outer edge. The outer edges of your lips tend to be darker than the centre of your lips, so picking a shade close to that pigment range will ensure a flattering buy.
- While at the store, pinch the top of your middle finger to see the flush of colour at the tips. Match it with lipstick bullets to pick the closest shade.
- This is risky, but the internet has maintained in the past that the ideal nude lipstick matches the colour of your nipples. So next time, you look at them and memorise the shade to narrow down your options at the store.
- Make a nude lip shade work for you by bringing a lip liner to the mix. Line your lips with a shade darker than the nude lippies, fill the colour in the centre and buff to blend out the edges of the two.
