Nude lipstick is like the little black dress of makeup: timeless, versatile, and endlessly flattering when you find the right one. Whether you’re going for an everyday no-makeup makeup vibe or an understated lip to complement bold eye makeup, a good nude lipstick can tie your look together effortlessly.
That said, “nude” isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best nude lipstick for you depends on your skin tone, undertone, and makeup preferences. If you haven’t found your perfect nude lip yet and aren’t sure where to start your search, keep reading. Ahead, we’ll explain how to choose a nude lipstick that complements your complexion and share some of our top picks for fair, medium, and deep skin tones.
What Is Nude Lipstick?
The term “nude lip” refers to any lip color that closely resembles the natural tone of your lips. Nude lipstick shades can range from soft pinks and peachy beiges to warm browns and mauves. What qualifies as “nude” isn’t universal, but rather personal and dependent on your complexion and undertones. A classic nude lip is a staple because of its versatility—it pairs equally well with bold and understated makeup and can help complete your look without making you look overdone.
How To Find Your Ideal Nude Lipstick
Finding your ideal nude lipstick isn’t just about picking a pretty shade—it’s about choosing one that complements your skin tone, undertone, and makeup style. Here’s how to narrow down your options.
1. Consider your skin tone
Your skin tone refers to the depth of your skin’s natural color, meaning how light or deep your complexion appears. While there’s a wide spectrum of skin tones, most fall into one of three broad categories: fair, medium, or deep. It can shift slightly with sun exposure (think tanning or burning), but your general skin tone remains relatively consistent over time. Understanding where your skin falls on this spectrum is the first step in choosing a nude lipstick that enhances your features rather than washing you out.
- Fair/Light Skin: Fair skin describes lighter skin tones, such as ivory, alabaster, and porcelain. Those with this skin tone typically burn easily and often have lighter features, such as blonde hair or blue eyes.
- Medium Skin: Medium skin appears naturally tan or olive in tone. Those with medium skin tend to tan rather than burn and often have darker hair and eyes.
- Deep/Dark Skin: Deep skin is rich in pigment, ranging in tone from milky chocolatey browns to rich espresso hues.
2. Identify your undertone
Your undertone is the subtle hue beneath the surface of your skin that influences the overall “temperature” of your complexion. Unlike your skin tone, your undertone doesn’t change with sun exposure. Understanding your undertone can help you choose a nude lipstick that looks balanced and flattering. Generally, it’s best to pick a lipstick with the same undertones as your skin for a more harmonious finish.
- Cool Undertones: Those with cool undertones tend to have a pinkish or bluish cast to their skin. They typically look best in silver jewelry and tend to burn rather than tan.
- Warm Undertones: Warm skin feels naturally sun-kissed, often with a golden or peachy cast. If you have warm skin, you likely tan rather than burn and may gravitate toward gold jewelry.
- Neutral Undertones: Having a neutral undertone means your skin is neither obviously warm nor cool, but falls somewhere in between. Those with neutral undertones can typically rock any makeup color with ease.
3. Determine your desired finish
Like all lipsticks, nude lipsticks come in an array of finishes, from velvety mattes to high-shine glosses. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different types of finishes you may encounter when on the hunt for your perfect nude lippie.
- Matte: Matte lipsticks lack shine, instead boasting a velvety or powdery-looking finish. These formulas are typically long-wearing and provide intense color payoff, making them a great choice when you want your lip color to stay put.
- Satin: Satin lipsticks strike a balance between matte and glossy. They offer a soft, subtle sheen that makes the lips look hydrated rather than obviously shiny.
- Glossy: Glossy lipsticks and lip glosses combine pigment with shine for a slick, reflective finish.
Our Best Nude Lipsticks for Fair Skin
If you have fair or light skin, the best nude lipsticks are typically soft pinks, peachy beiges, or rosy taupes—shades that enhance your natural lip color without washing you out. Below, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite nude lip products for fair skin tones.
For cool undertones
If you have fair skin with cool undertones, soft, dusty rose shades will complement your skin well. If you’re aiming for a matte finish, try the Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Undressd. Prefer a shinier pout? The Fat Oil Slick Click in Story or Post offers a satiny finish, while the Duck Plump High Pigment Plumping Lip Gloss in Bangin Bare provides intense shine for a smooth, glass lip effect.
For warm undertones
For warmer fair skin, you’ll generally want to look for soft peachy pinks or warm taupes. One of our favorites is the Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain in Caramel Drip. The unique formula starts off shiny and gradually fades to a soft, subtle stain. If you want to maintain the shiny finish, simply add another coat or layer on your favorite clear lip gloss.
For neutral undertones
As we mentioned earlier, those with neutral undertones can rock almost any lip color with ease. Pick a neutral-toned nude lipstick like the Suede Matte Lipstick in Beige Nude or layer a nude lip liner (we love the Slim Lip Pencil in Beige) under clear gloss for a subtle yet defined finish.
Our Best Nude Lipsticks for Medium Skin
For medium skin tones, you’ll want to look for lipsticks that aren’t too light or too dark. Caramels, terracottas, and rosy browns can all be flattering options, depending on your undertones. .
For cool undertones
Medium skin is often perceived as warm, but that’s not always the case. For those with cool undertones, we suggest seeking out mid-toned dusty rose shades. For a glossy lip look that’ll stay put all day (and night), try the Shine Loud High Shine Lip Color in Magic Maker.
For warm undertones
Complement your skin’s natural warmth with a nude lipstick that boasts distinct golden or bronze undertones. The Fat Oil Slick Click in Link In My Bio is a great option, and it’s buildable, so you can customize the color payoff to your liking. If you’d prefer a shinier finish, try a warm nude lip gloss, like the Fat Oil Lip Drip in Follow Back.
For neutral undertones
For medium-toned skin that’s neither cool nor warm, mid-toned browns tend to work beautifully. Try the Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in Butterscotch for a shiny, glossy lip, or reach for the Smushy Matte Lip Balm in Soft Smile for a velvety matte finish that leaves your lips feeling soft and smooth.
Our Best Nude Lipsticks for Medium Skin
For deep and dark skin tones, rich nudes like chocolate, mocha, and deep rose tend to complement natural lip color beautifully without appearing too light or ashy. Here are some of our top nude lipstick picks for deeper complexions.
For cool undertones
Cool-toned deep skin shines with rich espresso and mocha lipsticks. Subtly enhance your natural lip color with a dark brown nude lipstick, such as the Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Goin Desnuda, or give your pout a glossy yet understated finish with a mocha-tinted gloss, such as the Fat Oil Lip Drip in Livin’ the Cream.
For warm undertones
Rich berries, chocolatey browns, and deep caramels all flatter warm-toned deep skin beautifully. For a classic nude lip moment, try the Smushy Matte Lip Balm in Smudge Fudge. Or, for a subtle hint of color that won’t overpower your complexion, try a dark berry brown or brick red hue. We love the Fat Oil Lip Drip in Inside Scoop—it boasts a subtle plummy undertone that looks stunning on deeper skin tones.
For neutral undertones
Once again, those with neutral undertones can pull off just about any nude lipstick shade, so long as it aligns with their skin tone. For a stained lip look, we’re partial to the Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain in Espresso Soak. If you’d prefer a more velvety matte finish, scoop up the long-lasting Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Hot Carmelo.
How To Apply Nude Lipstick or Gloss
Finding the right nude lip color is only part of the equation—you also need to know how to apply your chosen lipstick or gloss to get a flawless, polished finish. Here are some tips to help you get a flattering, wear-anywhere nude lip look.
Step 1: Prep your pout
Before applying any lip makeup, we recommend exfoliating and moisturizing your lips with a nourishing lip balm. Proper lip care helps remove dry, flaky skin that can interfere with your makeup application and helps create a smooth, even canvas for your lipstick. You can exfoliate with a lip scrub if you have one on hand, but if you don’t, a wet towel will do the trick, too—just be gentle when scrubbing your lips to avoid irritation.
Step 2: Line your lips
Next, using a nude lip liner that closely matches your chosen lipstick or gloss, carefully outline your lips to define their shape. Start at your Cupid’s bow and work outward to ensure a symmetrical, defined look. If you want a fuller-looking pout, you can slightly overline your lips, but avoid straying too far from your lip line to keep the effect looking natural. Lining your lips with a plumping lip liner can also help make your lips look bigger. We love the Duck Plump Plumping Lip Liner—try Flirty Flip if you have fair skin, Nude Flip for medium skin, or Double Dose if you have a deep skin tone. If you need guidance on how to line your lips like a pro, check out our article How To Use Lip Liner—The Right Way.
Step 3: Apply your nude lipstick or gloss
Using a lip brush or the applicator included with your product, fill in your lips starting from the center and working outward for even coverage. For a richer, longer-lasting color, apply a second coat once the first has set.
Step 4: Clean up the edges
After applying your nude lipstick or gloss, gently clean up any stray color outside your lip line using a clean cotton swab. For a sharper, more defined finish, you can also carefully trace around your lips with a bit of concealer and blend it out. Finally, don’t forget to stash your chosen lipstick or gloss in your bag if you’re planning on being out for a while—if you’re eating or drinking, touch-ups will likely be needed.
Next: Lip Balm vs. Lip Oil: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Choose?.
We’d love to see how you rock your favorite NYX nude lippie! Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics.
PRODUCTS USED
Fat Oil Lip Drip
Hydrating tinted lip oil scented with Suga Baddie
SMUSHY MATTE LIP BALM
A soft-matte buildable lip color infused with mochi rice powder and sugar ceramides in 12 shades.
Lip I.V. Hydrating Lip Gloss Stain
Lip gloss + long-lasting lip stain in 20 shades.
Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick
16H Full-Bodied Matte Liquid Lipstick
Duck Plump Plumping Lip Liner
Plumping lip liner in twelve spicy shades.
SHINE LOUD HIGH SHINE LIP COLOR
High-shine, long-lasting lip gloss
Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss
Fan Fave Buttery Gloss
