By Michelby Whitehead
‘Barely there’ makeup has always been a fave of mine. It polishes you just enough to look pretty for those “hair tied, chillin’ with no makeup on” moments that Drake mentioned. The no-makeup makeup look is EVERYTHING, especially a nude lip.
The secret to rocking this trend with confidence — like Kim Kardashian, Beyonce and actress Ally Wong do so effortlessly — is finding a color that compliments your skin tone. Otherwise, a nude lipstick can make your lips look like you’ve had way too many powdered doughnuts!
Finding the perfect nude shade goes deeper than just understanding your skin tone and color; it is also about undertones. Make sure you know whether your complexion is cool, warm or neutral. You can avoid too-harsh colors and the ashy look by knowing how to choose nude colors that make your pout stand out!
Get the look of a lifetime with tips from celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles via Byrdie.com:
For Lighter Complexions
Look for a rosy-beige nude lipstick, like Tom Ford Lip Color in Blush Nude.
“When you look at nude lipsticks in fashion magazines, the skin matches the lips,” Stiles said. “This doesn’t translate well into real life — you want a warmth and separation between the lips and the skin.”
For light-skinned ladies with slightly olive undertones like Kate Mara, Stiles says to try a warmer nude shade.
“You can definitely go pink, and you can definitely go beige,” she says. “You want more pigment in your nude lipstick than someone who is alabaster or fair with pink undertones.”
Try Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. in Nude Kate.
For Medium Complexions
On a mocha skin tone similar to Rihanna’s, Stiles suggests something darker to ensure there’s “definition and separation of the lipstick and actual skin color.” The Lip Bar has a plethora of nude shades suited to make this look pop.
For Darker Complexions
Chocolate women with skin tones like Ryan Destiny and Lupita Nyong’o are a delight in nude lipsticks and should embrace the trend as well.
Stiles suggests using a sheer gloss like MAC Mineralize Glass in Ray of Sunshine.
“For women of color, it’s all about playing with highlights and shadows to build definition,” Stiles says.
She suggests picking a nude shade lighter than your actual skin tone to brighten the face and sticking to a gloss formula for a more natural-looking effect.
Comment with your favorite nude lippie below!
