Finding the best nude lipstick for your skin tone can make a huge difference in your makeup look — enhancing your natural beauty rather than washing you out. Here’s a clear, easy guide to help you choose the perfect shade based on your undertone and complexion.4
1. Know Your Skin’s Undertone
Your undertone is the hidden hue beneath your skin’s surface — and it’s key to matching the right nude.
How to Identify Your Undertone
- Vein Test:
Look at the veins on your wrist in natural light:- Greenish veins: Warm undertone
- Bluish or purple veins: Cool undertone
- Both green & blue: Neutral undertone
- Jewelry Test:
Think about which looks better on you:- Gold jewelry → Warm undertone
- Silver jewelry → Cool undertone
- Both look good → Neutral undertone
Pick Nude Shades by Undertone
Here’s what typically works best for each undertone:
Cool Undertones
- Shades with blue or mauve hues
- Cooler-toned nudes that mimic your lips
- Try shades like: taupe pink, rose beige, soft berry nude
Cool undertone tip: Look for lipsticks named “rose,” “berry,” or “plum nude.
Warm Undertones
- Shades with peach, caramel, or golden hues
- Warmer, richer nudes that complement golden tones
- Try shades like: peachy beige, caramel nude, honey tan
Warm undertone tip: Lipsticks with “peach,” “bronze,” or “copper nude” in the name often flatter best.
Neutral Undertones
- You can wear both warm and cool nudes
- Ideal shades are balanced pink-beige or neutral beige
Neutral undertone tip: Try a few mix-tone nudes to see what enhances your natural lip color best!
2. Match Your Skin Tone Level
Here’s a quick cheat sheet based on light-to-deep skin tones:
| Skin Tone | Best Nude Shade Example |
|---|---|
| Fair | Light pink-beige, soft rose |
| Light-Medium | Peachy nude, soft caramel |
| Medium | Toffee, cocoa-beige |
| Tan | Honey nude, warm caramel |
| Deep | Rich mocha, espresso nude |
Extra Tips for Choosing Nude Lipstick
Consider Your Natural Lip Color
The best nude often matches your natural lip shade — just a bit better! Test a swatch close to your lips if possible.
Finish Matters
- Matte: Classic and bold
- Satin/Cream: Smooth and forgiving
- Glossy: Adds shine and dimension
Test Under Different Lighting
Always check how the shade looks in natural light — indoor lighting can be trickier.
Shopping Tips
- Try lipstick samples or testers at beauty counters.
- If shopping online, read reviews by people with similar complexion.
- Compare swatches against your wrist or jawline.
Quick Matching Guide by Tone
- Cool Fair: Rose beige, soft mauve
- Warm Fair: Peach beige, nude peach
- Cool Medium: Mauve nude, dusty rose
- Warm Medium: Caramel nude, warm honey
- Cool Deep: Plum brown, berry beige
- Warm Deep: Chestnut, bronze nude