One “nude” does not fit all. That goes for lingerie, shoes, and of course, lipstick. The elusive your-lips-but-better hue is one of the most enduring makeup trends, and the most universally flattering. “The nude lip is concrete. Not really a statement,” says Linda Cantello, international makeup artist for Armani Beauty. Amidst the resurgence of ’90s makeup trends, she recalls how, back then, artists used backstage tricks like layering concealer over pink lipsticks to create nudes for runway shows. Thankfully, the breadth of formulas these days makes it easier to find your match—but what, exactly, makes a good match?
“The most common mistake people make is that they think nude should be nude. Nobody looks good when they’ve completely obliterated their lip and it’s the same color as the complexion,” she says. “You should look alive. You want natural, but a bit pushed with neutral shades.” That’s the whole inspiration behind Armani’s new Lip Maestro Matte Nature range, which includes ten neutral shades created for every skintone to find a match.
“A big thing that we’ve always done is to take out white [in formulas], even in foundation, because it’s the white that makes it look artificial,” Cantello adds. Read on for more tips for finding the best nude—and shop some more of our favorite nudes—ahead.
BEST FOR: MEDIUM SKIN
Lip Maestro Liquid Lipstick
Giorgio Armani Beauty
armani.com
This velvety matte formula melts into your lips and wears comfortably, so you not only get a natural-looking hue, but a finish that’s long-wearing enough to last through a four-course dinner (I should know).
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the color of your natural lips. “All our lips are different. I have very pale lips. Some people have a very strong pigmentation. It’s usually very pink, so if you put on something too pale it’ll go very gray,” Cantello advises. “What was wrong with the ’90s nudes it that they looked a bit pasty.”
BEST FOR: FAIR SKIN
L’Absolu Rouge in Timide
Lancome
lancome.com
This deliciously silky formula goes on sheer, so it both enhances and adapts to your natural lip color. You get a satin finish that doesn’t skew too glossy, but still has a plumping effect.
Pro tip: Stay away from neutral colors with too much of a yellow undertone. Cantello says yellow-tinged lipsticks can read too much like concealer and end up looking cake-y.
BEST FOR: DEEP SKIN
Nude LaLa Semi-Matte Lipstick
Mented Cosmetics
mentedcosmetics.com
As a brand made for and by women of color, Mented always gets it right. You won’t need to worry about any ghostly looking shades with their adaptable colors that feel like butter on your lips.
Pro Tip: If you have a deeper skintone, avoid anything too pale, peach, or with a pink undertone. “Deeper skin tones go gray,” Cantello says.
BEST FOR: MEDIUM SKIN
MatteTrance Lipstick in Christy
Pat McGrath Labs
This lipstick is named after supermodel Christy Turlington, so you know it nails that ’90s nude lip look. This luxe formula is not only beautifully packaged, but a true matte that, unlike most, actually keeps lips moisturized.
Pro Tip: Don’t apply too much lip balm on before applying your lipstick. “Put lip balm and exfoliate them with a toothbrush before—that’s the first thing you should do before you start the skincare routine,” Cantello says. “Leave that, and at the very end take it off with a Kleenex. It should be moist enough. If you want a matte nude lip with a lip balm underneath, it’s just going to slide off.”
BEST FOR: FAIR SKIN
Liquid Lipstick in Off Duty
Honest Beauty
honestbeauty.com
If clean, green ingredients is a big concern of yours, look no further than Jessica Alba’s Honest Beauty. The brand recently introduced liquid lipsticks that are highly pigmented and last up to eight hours.
Pro Tip: Don’t apply foundation before lipstick. You might’ve seen YouTube tutorials where a vlogger covered up her lips with foundation as a lip primer—Cantello is not a fan of this technique. “These were makeup artist things we did back in the day but now the technology’s changed so much we don’t need to,” she reasons. “Concealer or foundation [under lipstick] cracked.”
BEST FOR: MEDIUM SKIN
Fleshy Lips Lipstick in Hungry
Flesh
ulta.com
I’ve tried many nude lipsticks in my day, and none have impressed me as much as Flesh. This lipstick is super sheer but deposits just enough color to enhance my natural lips, plumping them up without getting too sticky like some glosses.
BEST FOR: DEEP SKIN
Vice Lipstick in En Fuego
Urban Decay
nordstrom.com
All you need is one swipe of this bullet to get intense color payoff. En Fuego, with its tinge of rose, is a hue that works particularly well on richer skin tones.
BEST FOR: DEEP SKIN
Nude Creme Lipstick in Mocha Nude
KKW Beauty
kkwbeauty.com
Kim Kardashian has made nude lipstick her beauty signature, so you can bet she knows how to create a great nude. Her always-sold out nudes come in eleven shades, so there really is something for everyone.
BEST FOR: MEDIUM TO DEEP SKIN
Baume à Lèvres Lipstick in Penelope Plum
Gucci
saksfifthavenue.com
If you’re not much of a lipstick person but down for a tinted balm, it doesn’t get any better than Gucci Beauty’s balms. Penelope Plum looks deep pink in the tube, but once it goes on you get a moisturizing sheer veil that leaves lips looking uber kissable.
BEST FOR: FAIR SKIN
SuperStay Matte Ink Lip Color in Poet
Maybelline
ulta.com
Rub, wipe, eat, make out—no matter what you do this lip color is indestructible. For long days or big events, Maybelline’s SuperStay formula is your best bet. Poet looks lovely on fair skin, but there are 20 shades in the range for everyone to find a color.
BEST FOR: MEDIUM SKIN
Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil in La Dolce Vita
COURTESY
Nars
sephora.com
Like the shade name suggests, this pencil is nothing but sweet. It gives your pout just enough blush to look full and juicy, without being too pigmented and compete with makeup elsewhere. Plus, the crayon shape makes application a breeze.
BEST FOR: DEEP SKIN
Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Thiccc
Fenty Beauty
sephora.com
As Rihanna sings, kiss it, kiss it, better baby. Beyond the fun name—Thiccc—the singer’s interpretation of “nude” is a true matte but doesn’t drag or skip while you’re applying it. It feels so comfortable on the lips you forget you’re even wearing it.
BEST FOR: FAIR SKIN
Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipstick in Cashmere Silk
NYX Professional Makeup
ulta.com
NYX’s “Lip Lingerie” line includes 24 shades of barely-there lip colors for when you’re looking for subtlety. The silky liquid dries down matte and soft.
BEST FOR: FAIR SKIN
L’Oréal Colour Riche Matte Lipcolour
L’Oréal
ulta.com
This cream, matte lipstick promises rich color and hydration. It’s a tried and true drugstore staple, so you know you can get it even if you forget to pack a nude on your travels (a nightmare!).