Colour · Lip

Nude lipstick shades

A lip shade works or fails on its relationship to the wearer's own lip tone, not on the name on the bullet.

Written by Lamyaa Aissi, professional makeup artist, Casablanca.

Test it under the conditions it has to survive, not the conditions it is easy in.

What actually decides it

Match to the deepest part of your own lip rather than the lightest, and go one step deeper than that. Anything lighter than the lip itself reads as ashy unless it is deliberately correcting the shape.

Why nude specifically. A nude garment sits close to the skin, so there is no contrast helping the face.

Everything has to come from the makeup, which usually means one degree more definition than expected.

On Moroccan skin, in a Moroccan climate

Many lips here carry real natural depth, often deeper at the edges than the centre. Every nude recommendation online assumes a pale base, which is why the famous nudes so often fail.

What it will not do

It will not hold shape over a long evening on its own. That is the liner's job.

Questions

What decides nude lipstick shades?

Match to the deepest part of your own lip rather than the lightest, and go one step deeper than that. Anything lighter than the lip itself reads as ashy unless it is deliberately correcting the shape.

Does this change on Moroccan skin or in a Moroccan climate?

Many lips here carry real natural depth, often deeper at the edges than the centre. Every nude recommendation online assumes a pale base, which is why the famous nudes so often fail.

What will it not do?

It will not hold shape over a long evening on its own. That is the liner's job.

Related

All lipstick shades · Product guides · Tips

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