Nude Lipstick – How do I choose?
What should you consider when picking a nude lipstick shade?
Some find it an easy choice but given differences in shade can really transform a look and how you feel, it is worth taking into account a few factors.
I get it. On the one hand there should be no rules and you should be yourself and just choose whatever colour you like but on the other, there’s a lot of choice and you don’t want a makeup bag full of unused lippies that don’t resonate with your skin tone!
What is a nude lipstick?
Nude lipsticks are shades that either resemble your lips natural colour or are close to your skin tone.
Nudes give the lips a natural appearance, almost as a no makeup lipstick look.
Don’t get me wrong, nudes are an absolute staple and an important fashion shade. But sometimes, you need more natural than bold, more subtle than statement. When you get it right a nude will be your go to.
Nude lipstick shades range from pale colours to darker and deeper colours:
- pinks and beige
- light browns
- rosy pink
- peachy beige and pinky beige
- medium tones of beige and browns,
- tan shades,
- deeper and darker shades of browns
No matter which shade, a nude lipstick should give the lips a finished look that is classy and sophisticated and enhances the lips without drawing too much attention to them.
They will complement certain looks, like bold eye makeup, instead of competing for attention and being all too much.
Which Nude Lipstick Shade Is Right for You?
When it comes to the perfect everyday lipstick, you can never go wrong with a neutral shade.
However, it can be oh-so wrong if you choose a nude lipstick colour that doesn’t work with your skin tone.
A staple in many makeup bags, a swipe of nude lipstick is an effortless way to pull your whole makeup look together, it will go with almost any outfit and will help to make your complexion look fresh and youthful.
However, it may be tricky to choose a nude lipstick that is the most natural-looking, so I wanted to share my top tips for finding a neutral shade from our Pure Colour Organic Lipstick Collection that is the best match for you.
Pure Colour Organic Lipstick with Orange, Jojoba, Vitamin E & Shea Butter
Learn More About Pure Colour Organic Lipstick
Where to Start?
The key to achieving the ‘my-lips-but better’ lipstick look is to choose a shade that complements your skin tone – one that is not too brown or not too light.
This will often be a nude colour that is a shade or two darker than your complexion and is slightly bolder than your natural lip colour.
Light Rosy Pink for Fair Skin Tone
If you have fair skin, light rosy pink is a great option.
I like our lipstick in ‘Love’ which helps to add a subtle flush of pink to the lips without washing out your complexion. As its finish is quite sheer with a light shimmer it will work to enhance your lip’s natural rosiness and reflect light so that the colour won’t appear too pale.
I also like to use our Pure Colour Dusty Pink Lip Liner around the perimeter of the lip and blend this out with the tip of a finger to add a beautiful wash of colour that isn’t too overbearing.
Hydrating Mineral Colour Lip Liner
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Deep Pink & Peach for Medium Skin Tone
For those with a medium skin tone, opt for our lipstick in ‘Essence’ or ‘Courage’, which are a pinky beige and peach shade that will work to warm up your complexion.
Any lipstick colour that has a cooler undertone will run the risk of making you appear pale or your lips look chalky, so opt for nude lipsticks with peachy undertones and hints of orange.
Caramel Red for Dark Skin Tone
If you have a darker skin tone, ‘Chi’ is my lipstick of choice. With its natural caramel hues, it will prevent your makeup from appearing flat.
To further enhance and help define your lips, I recommend starting with our Lip Liner in ‘Brown’ over the entire lip area, followed by your lipstick.
This will help to even out the colour all over the lips and help them to look polished and effortlessly chic.
Delicately Nude Lipstick Trio
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Organic Collection
Our Pure Colour Certified Organic Lipstick Collection uses a nourishing blend of organic and natural ingredients that are 100% vegan and free from animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax and lanolin, heavy metals, and other harmful and toxic ingredients like FD&C Dyes, petroleum, and artificial fragrances.
With the inclusion of hydrating and nourishing ingredients such as shea butter, sunflower and olive oil, our lipsticks further help to protect, nourish and hydrate your lips to improve their overall health.
Want to make the switch to clean, healthy lips? Check out our Pink lip liner to get you started.
What about the occasion?
At the most basic level many would choose a different lipstick for a night out than for the school run. It's not that different to clothes - different outfits for different occasions. And lipstick colour is part of that.
Big, bold colours like the luscious red of True Love can really add the final note of glamour to your look. They perfectly compliment a full make up look and set off that great outfit. But if you're heading to your kid's school sports day or just grabbing a coffee with a friend you may want to go more natural and opt for a nude shade like our ever popular Cordovan Natural - rich and subtle with warm tones of toasted cinnamon, it's the perfect lipstick to take you anywhere.
Cloths and lipstick
I am all for making a statement with a gam outfit for a formal occasion. No question!
But sometimes less is more and the good thing about lipstick is it is so easy to experiment, even when getting ready on the night.
Equally, a plain white shirt and denim jeans can really go off with a bright pink or deep red. Sometimes you are just in that mood!
As a general rule some colours compliment better than others
Nude and your mood
I know from talking to many women over many years that lipstick is personal and a projection of their personality. Nudes tend to be signature items in a women’s purse and we often stay with the one shade that works for us.
Of course, lipstick is personal, so sometimes it can simply come down to your mood or the mood you want to project. Want to project confidence?
The best lipstick is one that makes feel great. And there will definitely be more than one nude that no matter what you are wearing and where your are going.
Sylvie xx
