Times, trends, years and decades may come and go but if there’s one constant, it’s a nude lip. There’s a reason everyone from Victoria Beckham to Lisa Elridge is launching lip collections based solely on nude lipsticks: There’s no easier shortcut to looking sleek, sexy and sophisticated with the least amount of fuss possible!
Too bad then that a nude lip often makes you look more washed out than wow.
After all, so many things can go wrong with nude lipstick: It can make lips look dry and lifeless, it can go on cake-y, it can completely erase your lips, it can make you look like a zombie… need I go on?
Time to breathe easy. It so happens that the key to making a nude lipstick work lies in a few really simple details. Namely, how to choose the perfect nude for your lips and the correct way to apply it. And that’s not easier said than done, as this 60-second plan reveals.
Step 1: Uncover your undertone
For years, I have wanted to whack people who’ve blithely talked about matching a lipstick to your ‘undertone’. That’s because for years I had no idea how to find this elusive creature.
Till a makeup artist explained it in the simplest way possible: If the veins that show through the skin on the inside of your wrist look blue, you have cool undertones; and if they have a slightly greenish hue, you’re warm.
Not sure? You seem to have neutral undertones (that’s me!).
Now comes the second hurdle. How do you figure out which nude lipstick has cool undertones and which has warm ones. Once again, worry not. Here’s a quick primer.
Cool undertones: Stay with rosy pink nudes like Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Nude Kate, MAC Satin in Paramount, Ilia Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm in Memoir, and NARS Audacious in Barbara.
Warm undertones: Look for warm colours—from peachy pinks to rich golds—like Laura Mercier Velour Lovers in Cocoa Pout, Tom Ford in Sable Smoke, Pat McGrath Luxe Trance in Flesh, Maybelline Color Sensational in Clay Crush, and Chanel Rouge Allure in Ingenue.
Neutral undertones: You would look good in any hue but lipsticks with a neutral beige shade or peachy undertones will totally rock. Some to try: Victoria Beckham’s Bitten Lip Tint, Lisa Elridge’s True Velvet in Velvet Fawn, Buxom Full Force Plumping in Boss, Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G in Penelope Pink, and Live Tinted Huestick in Found.
Step 2: Shade selector
Whatever your undertone, don’t go lighter than the natural color of your bare lips. Even going two shades lighter will wash you out and make your complexion look motley.
Step 3: Time for texture
Texture is important when you want to pull off a nude lip—mattes are ageing and zombie-fying, while frosty or glittery shades can make your lips look grey. Instead, opt for a creamy formula that will keep your lips looking supple and kissable.
If your nude lipstick is matte but you want a bit of oomph, apply gloss only in the center of your top and bottom lips. This creates a subtle 3D effect that keeps you from looking flat.
Step 4: Prep work
Since nude lips look best when they are creamy and glossy, keep them scrubbed and moisturised to create the perfect canvas.
Apply a thin layer of foundation before layering on the color—nude lipsticks are usually quite sheer, so your natural lip color would show through otherwise and distort the shade.
And DON’T skip the liner with this one. Not only does it give the lipstick more staying power, without it nude lips can look undone—as if you simply forgot to put on your lipstick. Apply a liner in the same shade as your lips for a plumper, defined and more polished effect.
Step 5: Pair it right
It’s all about contrasts—for the perfect effect, pair your nude lip with dark eyes. Some great options: A smoky eye shadow, a cat’s eye or a deeply pigmented liner with at least two coats of mascara.
And don’t forget your cheeks—add a healthy glow with a soft, neutral pink or coral blush.
Steps 6—10: Dial it up the notch with these expert favorites!
Here are five tips gleaned straight from makeup experts to ensure your nude lipstick looks impactful rather than invisible. Mix and match these ideas to suit your style—because “nude” should never mean “boring”!
Mix your own “nude boost” shade
If you have a nude lipstick that’s too light or too dull, experiment with adding a touch of a deeper brown, rosy, or peach lipstick. Layer them in small increments until you hit that sweet spot.
Custom-mixing ensures no one else has the exact lip color you’re wearing. It’s tailor-made for your complexion.
Conceal, then reveal
Apply a tiny bit of concealer around the edges of your lips before you line them. This technique sharpens your lip line and makes the nude color really pop against your skin.
The concealer also ensures your lip liner doesn’t bleed or smudge onto your face, creating a crisp, defined shape.
The ombré technique
Don’t be afraid to layer two nudes: one deeper, one lighter. Use the darker shade around the edges and the lighter one on the center of your lips, then blend. This gradient effect creates dimension and makes your lips look fuller and more eye-catching.
Pro Tip: Keep the contrast minimal—just a shade or two. You want definition, not a stark line.
Strategically add blush to the lips
This is a pro trick if your nude lipstick looks too beige or dull on you. Take a cream or liquid blush (the same one you used on your cheeks) and dab a tiny amount onto the center of your lips on top of the nude lipstick.
Why does this work? A soft pink or peach flush brings life back to an overly neutral shade without completely changing the color.
Over-line with a purpose
Yes, overlining has been all the rage, but it’s often done only at the Cupid’s bow or center of the bottom lip. If your nude tends to wash out your lip shape, lightly overline the outer corners as well.
This adds definition all around, so your lips don’t fade into the background. Just remember to blend the overline inward so you don’t have a visible ring around your lips.
What do you think? Is there a favorite nude lipstick in your makeup bag?
The post The secret(s) behind wearing nude lipstick without looking washed out appeared first on The Beauty Gypsy.