A swipe of nude lipstick is a traditional bridal beauty look for many reasons –its classic, low maintenance and subtly glamorous. The only dilemma? It’s surprisingly difficult to determine which shade of nude best suits your skin tone. If you choose a shade too light, you run the risk of looking washed out. Too dark, and you look like you’re saving some chocolate cake for later. So, to avoid such faux pas, here are a few tips on how to find the most flattering nude lipstick for your skin tone.
Fair Skin
If you have a fair complexion, seek out nude lipsticks with peach or pink undertones. This will enhance your naturally pink lips and add a little warmth and colour to your porcelain skin. Try to avoid pale nudes, as you could end up looking corpse-like fast. We suggest opting for a nude lipstick with a soft matte finish, as this will allow for your lip’s natural texture to shine through.
Achieve this look with Anastasia Beverly Hills Satin Lipstick in Butterscotch (a neutral pinky beige with a satin finish), $37 which you can shop here.
Medium Skin
For those with medium skin tones, look for a nude hue that complements the warm undertones in your skin. That is, nudes which have a pink/peach-based colour but are slightly warmer in shade to achieve a more youthful glow. Be sure to stay away from nudes that are too similar to your skin tone as it can make your skin look lacklustre and drab. We recommend formulas with a sheer finish to add a hint of luminosity to your overall complexion.
Achieve this look with Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Sunset Lover, $49.00 which you can shop here.
Olive Skin
An olive complexion works best with darker shades of nude. Consider golden-beige shades with a satin texture to bring out the sun-kissed look of your skin. Alternatively, amplify your look with a muted coral or peachy nude which balances the blue/green undertones in your skin beautifully. Anything lighter will make you look like you’re wearing concealer – not ideal.
Achieve this look with MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy, $30which you can shop here.
chieve this look with bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra-Smoothing Lipstick, $30.00 which you can shop here.
Dark Skin
Deep nude lipsticks with brown/red undertones should be the go-to for dark-skinned ladies. Another option is a brown-based plum hue, which is especially flattering against deep skin. If you prefer not to spend most of your night touching up your lips, go for creamy-matte textures as they stay in place for hours on end.
Achieve this look with Anastasia Beverly Hills Matte Lipstick in Cool Brown, $33 which you can shop here.
Achieve this look with L’Oreal Color Riche Made For Me Natural Lipstick 236 Organza $24.99 which you can shop here.
There you have it, there’s a shade of nude that’s absolutely aisle-worthy for every kind of bride.
// By Ana Zupanoska
Words by Ana Zupanoska, former Beauty & Fashion Writer for Cosmopolitan and all-round beauty genius! See her full body of work by clicking here.
// Hero image by @jacksteeel
// All other imagery from Pinterest.
