Greetings, Fashion Bombshells! Danielle here.
A nude lip color is the perfect companion for heavy eye makeup or just a simple all-around “I’m naturally this good looking” understated look. But “nude” is totally dependent on an individual’s skin tone and not everyone can wear a light creme beige as their nude. I’ve put together a quick guide to help you find your nude. Check it out.
Nude lip color tips:
1. Be sure your lips are properly exfoliated (rub a wet toothbrush over your lips) and moisturized (Chapstick will do, but for super-dry lips try Clinique All About Lips or Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Skin Protectant).
2. Add color somewhere on your face to avoid looking washed out. A natural makeup look with tones that mirror your skin tone is pretty, but add a bright blush or eye color to liven things up.
Bobbi Brown (abbreviated below as BB) is a great line to start with when looking for your perfect nude. Many of Bobbi’s looks are based on “natural” pretty makeup so many nudes across the color spectrum are included in the line.
Fair Skin: (think Nicole Kidman) BB Beige, MAC Lipstick in Creme D’ Nude
Medium Skin: (think Sarah Jessica Parker) BB Blush or Uber Beige, MAC Lipstick in Creme D’ Nude
Light Olive Skin: (think Kim Kardashian) BB Uber Beige, MAC Lipstick in Freckletone
Olive Skin: (think Padma Lakshmi) BB Brownie Pink or Brown, MAC Lipstick in Cherish, MAC Lipstick in Taupe
Tan/Golden Skin: (think Jennifer Lopez to Beyonce) BB Brownie or Beige, MAC Lipstick in Freckletone, MAC Lipstick in Fresh Brew, MAC Lisptick in Velvet Teddy, MAC Lipstick in Half N’ Half
Caramel Skin: (think Halle Berry to Queen Latifah) BB Golden Brown or Heather Mauve, MAC Lipstick in Fresh Brew, MAC Lipstick in Siss, MAC Lipstick in Stay in Touch, MAC Lipstick in Touch
Dark Skin: (think Nia Long to Gabrielle Union) BB Cocoa, MAC Lustreglass in Trance Plant, MAC Lipstick in Icon, MAC Lipstick in Shitaki, NARS Lipgloss in Hustler, MAC Lipstick in Coconutty
Deep Skin: (think Kelly Rowland to Alek Wek) BB Hot Cocoa or Chocolate, MAC Lipstick in Coconutty, MAC Lustreglass in Trance Plant
Don’t get caught up in the racial background or ethnicity of the celebs mentioned above. Use their skin tone as a guide. You could be Asian and still look great in the shade for Kim Kardashian or you could be East Indian and work the shade for Kelly Rowland)
So there you have it. If you have questions or would like more personalized suggestions, contact me.
Will you be rocking a nude lip?
~Danielle
April 27, 2010 1:56 am
Love it! Thanks for the tips!
April 27, 2010 9:27 am
I love the beauty tips! Could you offer drugstore options as well though? Many women can’t do Mac and Bobbi Brown in a recession :-)
April 27, 2010 9:40 am
@Naija
I will when I can :) The janky drugstores near me never seem to have the good stuff in stock and then some of the prices are so high I might as well get MAC…lol. But Maybelline and L’Oreal both have great nude lines. What any diva on a budget can do is still look at the department store options I mentioned above so you know what colors, textures, etc. make for a good lipstick and then look for similar qualities in any brand. There’s millions of choices out there beyond what’s mentioned above.
Hope this helps!
April 27, 2010 10:20 am
Great tips. You read my mind!
April 27, 2010 10:33 am
Milani and Covergirl also have tons of great stuff (including nude lipstick and glosses) in a drug store near you. These two lines are my go to when I am short on $ ;-)
April 27, 2010 10:36 am
This was so helpful. I have what I call voluptuous lips and can never seem to find a lip color that doesnt make my lips look outragously bigger. Can women with big lips wear statement lipstick colors such as vibrant red?
April 27, 2010 10:49 am
@texigoan
You certainly can wear bright lip color on voluptuous lips. But since it does make them more apparent, you will of course need confidence to pull it off. Also, try to keep the rest of your makeup understated so that your features don’t all compete for attention. Jill Marie Jones (aka Toni Childs from Girlfriends) has a set of gorgeous, voluptuous lips and in many pictures I’ve seen she pulls off the bright lip fabulously. Use her as your guide/inspiration.
Hope this helps :)
April 27, 2010 11:12 am
great post!! im making notes…. love it!
April 27, 2010 11:14 am
One other thing—when looking for nude lipstick outside of what’s mentioned—if you’re lighter skin (Rihanna, Beyonce, etc.) go for beigey pinks. Darker skin (caramel skin and darker) go for brownish pinks.
April 27, 2010 11:47 am
[...] on an individual’s skin tone and not everyone can wear a light creme beige as their nude. Fashion Bomb Daily put together a quick guide to help you find your nude. Check it [...]
April 27, 2010 12:05 pm
great tips. i’m a tad more chocolate than gabrielle union and i’ve found that the lancome natural beauty cream lipstick looks really good as well.
April 27, 2010 1:03 pm
I’m wearing nude right now and i cant get enough of it! I am caramel complexion, and i wear the nude lipstick from Sephora, it’s called Maniac, and it’s only $8. Love it!
April 27, 2010 1:07 pm
This is great! I think of Nia Long as a beauty icon of mine, and so happy that I can find ways to mimic some of her looks! Keep up the good work
April 27, 2010 1:24 pm
great post! i’ve gotten 2 new shades to add to my MAC collection!
April 27, 2010 6:00 pm
ohhh now i know wht to try!!thks!!
April 27, 2010 7:26 pm
This is an excellent guide!
April 27, 2010 8:13 pm
rihanna looks so gorgues <3
April 27, 2010 10:25 pm
I’m about Gabby’s complexion and my personal favorite for a nude is Mac’s lipglass-Spite. Love it! Will probably wear it until I’m 50!
April 27, 2010 10:44 pm
Great post, I’m light brown skin abt Rihanna’s tone and I love Chai by MAC as my nude but I eager to try some of the suggestions listed. Great post Danielle!
April 28, 2010 2:41 am
great tips. i’m a tad more chocolate than gabrielle union and i’ve found that the lancome natural beauty cream lipstick looks really good as well.
April 29, 2010 12:41 am
“Dark Skin: (think Nia Long to Gabrielle Union) BB Cocoa, MAC Lustreglass in Trance Plant,…..” I’ll 2nd that on the MAC Trance Plant – I absolutely LOVE IT!!, I also wear it with MAC 5N Lipstick, my perfect nude lip, but I will be adding your suggestion to my nude lip arsenal!!
April 29, 2010 10:18 am
This was really great, Danielle! I’ve had the hardest time finding a nude lip (i’m gabby’s complexion as well) but I fell IN LOVE with Viva Glam V. its has a great pinkish/brown color for a nude lip on the go!
Danielle, I have also been in awe of the gold/brown lips that alot of women are doing…any chance you would do a profile on it? Thanks again!
April 30, 2010 12:02 am
Thanks, everybody!
@Deviantdiva–can you link me to an example of the lip look you’re referring to?
May 1, 2010 12:18 pm
I am light skinned maybe like Rihanna. I found Cover Girl lipstick #470, and it works for me. Don’t sleep on Walgreens & CVS yall.
I love my MAC and Chanel too, but I like to balance my spending.
May 19, 2010 1:04 pm
[...] 6. Finish with a nude lip. Get your nude lip suggestion for your skin tone here. [...]
June 13, 2010 8:26 pm
thanks girl………..will be able to show off in school now.Keeping all the records lol……..love you
June 18, 2010 11:11 am
[...] with a nude lipgloss. Since all nudes aren’t the same for everybody, be sure to check out my Nude Lipstick for Skin of Color post for some [...]
June 29, 2010 12:59 pm
[...] 5. Apply a sheer nude gloss to the lips. For your perfect nude, check out Nude Lips for Skin of Color. [...]
July 25, 2010 6:03 pm
Danielle, I’m not too sure which category I fall in, but I wear MAC NW45…I’m a slight darker than Gabby I think…Need ur expertise…Thanks
July 25, 2010 6:54 pm
Hey Lashawn!
Go for the ones in the Dark category. I’d also add a new nude fave for myself (I’m NW47)—Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in #714 Model Brown.
July 30, 2010 1:48 am
[...] one of those really cool colors that looks good on all shades of brown. Rock your teal eye with a nude lip or be bold and pair it with a glossy red. If you just want to dip your toes in, go with a simple [...]
August 10, 2010 9:47 am
[...] Red…lol) on all our shades of brown from French Vanilla to Chocolate Deluxe. Pair it with a nude lip or go all out and rock it with a bright lip. Add a shade of turquoise or violet to give your blue [...]
August 17, 2010 12:10 am
[...] it may look, it actually works through the spectrum of our skin tones. Still not feeling it? Grab a nude lip or be bold and rock a red [...]
October 14, 2010 9:31 am
[...] clear shimmery gloss on top of your nude lipstick/gloss) for your skin tone. I have a guide for you here, but will also add that if you, like many brown girls, have lips that are two different colors, try [...]
October 21, 2010 11:32 am
Thank you soooo much!!!
I’ve been searching for a great tip like this forever! Recently I’m so into nude lipsticks but I’m not sure which shade I should get cuz it could be too light on my face, now I have more confidence!
I’ll go try as you suggested, thank you again!
November 24, 2010 9:57 pm
[...] you’re having dinner with the Knowles and/or the Ross family), try a smoky eye paired with a nude lip. A quick, simple, no-fuss way to create a smoky eye is to use apply an eyeliner pencil to your [...]
December 1, 2010 10:44 am
[...] To get a contour look, gather the following: * A stick foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone * A stick foundation, matte blush, concealer, etc. that is 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone * A stick foundation, matte blush, concealer, etc. that is 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone * A shimmery eyeshadow that’s about the same shade as your skin tone * A very light shimmery eyeshadow that’s 2-3 shades lighter than your skin tone * A matte eyeshadow about 2-3 shades darker than your skin tone * A dark eyeliner * Peach blush * Nude lip color [...]
January 12, 2011 11:01 am
[...] For the lips, you can try a nude for your skin tone or try a sheer peach or coral gloss like MAC Dazzleglass Creme in Passing [...]
January 12, 2011 12:27 pm
[...] For the lips, you can try a nude for your skin tone or try a sheer peach or coral gloss like MAC Dazzleglass Creme in Passing [...]
February 11, 2011 11:04 am
[...] to Fake Flawless Skin), the eyes (a little liner and loads of mascara), and the lips (a non-sticky nude will do). Add warmth and color via our tried and true fave, bronzer and [...]
March 2, 2011 10:15 am
[...] See also Nude Lipstick for Brown Skin. [...]
March 4, 2011 1:37 pm
[...] lipstick or gloss (make your own by applying concealer to your lips and adding gloss on top). See Nude Lipstick for Skin of Color for options Sheer, shimmery gloss (to add on top of your nude lip [...]
April 7, 2011 12:57 pm
[...] glide on the lips and takes little effort to look good. Check out tips on how to choose the right nude, berry, and red. (30 [...]
April 21, 2011 12:34 pm
[...] Apply a nude gloss (find your nude here). Get your makeup to stay put with a few spritzes of Ben Nye Final Seal Matte Makeup [...]
May 24, 2011 9:16 am
I love nude nip colors! The natural look is always my go-to makeup look. Although it can get a bit boring I try to put some color into my look by putting on a brighter color blush. If I feel adventurous I play up my eyes and then tone it down with a nude lip color.
July 31, 2011 11:32 am
WOW ! I really like this style it made the lips look more natural and sexy. Thanks for sharing the tips.
August 10, 2011 4:54 am
Hey Danielle, tnx so much for d post. Totally lovin d article (altho I kno it’s old) lol. I’m mac nc 45 n not sure of which category I fall into. Ur suggestion wud help. In a ‘ nude rave’ now. :D lol
August 11, 2011 4:08 am
@jennifer hey! go for the tan/golden category for NC45 skin :)
August 13, 2011 5:12 pm
A really good drugstore dept. nude is Wet N’Wild Bare it All (902C). I’m a NW45 and it looks GREAT on my skin tone. It’s a matte and if you aren’t into matte shades, just put on lip balm beforehand. I also line my lips too (cuz I’m a sucker for lipliner) and sometimes add gloss afterward for shine.
August 14, 2011 10:50 pm
Hi Danielle I love this blog sooooo much. It’s one of my fav sites. I’m NC5O in Mac which category do I fit in?
September 29, 2011 6:33 am
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November 10, 2011 7:49 am
[...] talked about nude lips for brown skin last year in Nude Lipstick for Skin of Color where we discussed brownish-pinks are best as nudes for dark skin as well as recommendations for a [...]
November 10, 2011 9:54 am
[...] talked about nude lips for brown skin last year in Nude Lipstick for Skin of Color where we discussed brownish-pinks are best as nudes for dark skin as well as recommendations for a [...]
December 22, 2011 1:10 pm
Wow I can’t believe they’re only mentioned the EXPENSIVE brands!
LADIES! I have something that works amazing as a nude shade for medium complexions!
Covergirl Wetslicks Amazement. The shade I use is Merry Berry. It’s a sheer color so it will just highlight the color of your lips. (I’m about the complexion of halle berry/ jessica alba)
IGNORE the shade swatches on the covergirl website, they are completely OFF and not close. Go look at it, (I find walgreens to be the least inexpensive for most makeup) it looks like it has a slight hint of coral.
Hope this has helped someone!
January 27, 2012 10:15 am
[...] The singer typically goes with an edgy take on the classic makeup look. Get tips on how to create your own smoky eye here and find a nude lip color that works for your complexion here. [...]
February 13, 2012 9:19 pm
[...] the goddess Kelis. Here are a few of CMK’s Favorite ways to go NUDE on the lip: taken from The Fashion Bomb Blog: Fair Skin: (think Nicole Kidman) BB Beige, MAC Lipstick in Creme D’ Nude Medium Skin: (think [...]
February 20, 2012 11:43 pm
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May 3, 2012 3:27 pm
Although I’m more of Gabrielle Union’s complexion rather than Beyonce I found MAC’s Fresh Brew to be my absolute favorite nude (particularly in combo w/chestnut lip liner) and the most faltering on me. My other fav is Lorac Nude Scene…a little pricey but if you get you’ll understand why. A drug store lipstick that’s my favorite is L’Oreal Sultry Raven’s Pout that was part of the Project Runway limited collection. You can’t get it in the stores anymore but Walmart.com still has it. Other good finds: Make Up Forever #28 and MAC Half n Half. Gloss favs of mines are MAC’s Viva Glam V and Mad Cap. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect nudes for a loooong time and I’m just now starting to come across some good ones.
May 9, 2012 9:49 pm
[...] on an individual’s skin tone and not everyone can wear a light creme beige as their nude. Fashion Bomb Daily put together a quick guide to help you find your nude. Check it [...]
July 3, 2012 11:12 pm
I love the tips giving above, but i was wondering if these nude colors would work for females a little younger than the women above sorta like a 15-19 age range. As for myself, im 15 but i have also been looking for low price high quality nude gloss for a darker skin tone (gabrielle union , kelly rowland).
July 3, 2012 11:22 pm
Im more like Gabrielle Unions skin tone but i have found a smooth lipgloss that i love. Avon’s Color Trend Very Lovely Lip Gloss in Lemon Zest is not so much of nude , but it has this orangish clearish glow & it works very well. I was searching for a nude gloss until i came across this gloss & i kinda stopped looking since this does so well. It also very affordable coming in around 3.99.
August 5, 2012 7:47 pm
Thanks Danielle! I super love this blog!
March 27, 2013 5:42 am
[...] By Danielle ‘Fashion Bombshell’ [...]
May 8, 2013 12:31 pm
[...] glide on the lips and takes little effort to look good. Check out tips on how to choose the right nude, berry, and red. (30 [...]