Nude is the new red. From muted pinks to deep caramel tones, nude lip colors are making a huge comeback from their ‘90s heyday. The look is also on-trend for a walk down the aisle—nude lips for brides look demure and don’t take attention away from the gown and the bride’s face. But with endless shades of nude, choosing the right lip color that works best for your skin tone can be a bit tricky. Are your lips naturally red with a blue undertone, or do you have olive skin with a yellow undertone? Keeping these and a few other details in mind, you can easily decipher which nude works best for you. Here are some of our favorite nude lip colors matched with the best skin tones for each hue.
nyx cosmetics butter lipstick in west coast
Medium skin tones tend to have a darker outer rim around the lips. One of the best ways to highlight your natural lip color is to pick a lipstick the same shade as your lip. Not only does this technique guarantee your lipstick won’t look chalky, but it gives lips a unified look. Stay away from any colors that have a yellow undertone, and instead choose a salmon color or a hue with a hint of orange. This is a great (and affordable) color that will keep your pout pretty and primed.
nyxcosmetics.com, $6
l’oreal paris colour riche extraordinaire liquid lip color
Pick a color one shade darker than your natural lip color. Make sure there is a pink undertone in the lip color, as this will help create a more natural feel. Jennifer Lopez and fellow olive-toned celebs have been spotted rocking this lipstick in Nude Ballet on multiple occasions. The color has a pink undertone and still looks incredibly natural.
lorealparisusa.com, Dillard’s, Macy’s; $10
mac half ‘n half lipstick
This gorgeous, sheer rose gold color packs a subtle punch. It has just enough contrast that the color won’t fade away with your foundation but is still incredibly versatile.
Macy’s, MAC store; $17