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You can never go wrong with a nude lip. It can be the perfect balance to a glamorous smoky eye, or serve as the final touch to a barely-there beauty vibe. But for a shade that's seemingly easy to pull off, finding the perfect natural shade can be surprisingly difficult. If you go too cool, you risk washing out your complexion; too warm and you can wind up looking like you accidentally applied beige foundation all over your lips.
From mirror-like glosses to velvety mattes, you also have your pick when it comes to finishes: Channel your inner Lupita Nyong'o and try a high-shine finish, or take a beauty cue from Zendaya and try a satiny formula with just the right amount of sheen.
Since we, too, often find ourselves swatching different nude shades in the process of finding our perfect match, we decided to consult the pros to answer any and all questions we have about finding the right hue. Here, they weigh in — and share some of their favorite lipstick picks in the process, and just in time for National Lipstick Day.
Start with your skin tone
The word "nude" will mean something different to everyone, so the the first place to start your own nude lipstick search is by looking in the mirror. "If you're in the lighter skin range, I personally like creating a nude lip based on their natural lip color," celebrity makeup artist Neil Scibelli tells Teen Vogue. "I don't go much lighter, because I don't want their lips to disappear."
If you're in the medium range, Scibelli recommends looking for a "caramel or a deeper pink." People with darker skin tones can begin their search with "deeper berry nudes," in addition to exploring options that don't have pink undertones: "Deeper skin tones can pull off a lip color that's a shade lighter than their actual foundation color," says Scibelli, who also recommends "any browns or caramels with a hint of orange and red."
Shop Now: Maybelline Color Sensational Shine Compulsion Lipstick in Baddest Beige, $6, available through Maybelline.
Consider your undertone
"Anyone can wear nude lipstick, you just have to find the shade that flatters your complexion," celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose tells Teen Vogue. "[The right nude lipstick] should make you look fresh, not washed out."
For lighter skin tones, think pink, like Madelaine Petsch's 2018 MTV Awards moment, pictured above. "We don't want a 'dead nude,'" says Daniel Martin, the artist behind Meghan Markle's wedding day makeup look. "Girls with pale skin should wear a nude that has a hint of pink." Celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt created the perfect pinky nude, Surratt Lipslique in Chuchoter, for those of you with fair skin. "It's reminiscent of ballerina leotards and tights," he describes.
Got an olive complexion? Stick with nude shades that have warm undertones that mimic your own. "Cool nudes can start to make the complexion look too dreary," says Scibelli. Additionally, try to avoid shades that are lighter than your skin tone to avoid looking like "you're wearing concealer on your lips," explains Barose. If your skin tone is medium to tan, go with nudes that have peach undertones, like Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in Nude Kate.
"Dark skin tones look great with milk and dark chocolate nudes," says Surratt. Another option? Look for shades with berry undertones or a frosted finish like Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Caramel Glace, which also look gorgeous against deep skin.
Shop Now: Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Almond, $9, available at Ulta
Factor in your natural lip color
If you think finding the perfect nude is only about flattering your skin tone, think again. The color of your lips also affects the payoff. "Anyone with a lot of natural pigment in their lips tends to have a challenge finding the right nude," says Martin. "You want something that's either identical to or a shade lighter than the natural lip tone." His trick? "Find a color that has a bit of peach or even gold in it, like Lupita at the 2018 CFDA Awards. The yellow undertones neutralize the blue in your lips, so it appears lighter than your lip tone. It's also nice to pick up the natural color in the center of the lips, which tends to be lighter than the outer corners."
Shop Now: Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Teddy Bare, $9, available at Target
Take a sec to prep
Why, might you ask? "It can emphasize lip texture and fine lines," says Surratt. The trick to is to exfoliate first using a lip scrub, like Bite Beauty's Agave Lip Mask, to eliminates any rough spots and ensure smooth application. (It makes all the difference — we promise!)
While some artists like to neutralize any natural lip color with a barely-there amount of foundation, Scibelli warns that a heavy-handed amount can result in a cakey or "corpse-y" effect. "If you have to, add a lighter beige or nude color over [your lipstick], to give the lips more dimension," he recommends.
Shop Now: Rimmel Lasting Finish By Kate Lipstick Nude Lipstick, $3.59, available at Target
Texture is everything
If you prefer a nude lipstick that is similar to your skin tone, you'll still want to differentiate your lip color from the rest of your face. "If you're going nude, a creamier or glossier formula will give the lips more texture," says Scibelli. "Especially if you're fair, you don't want your lips to disappear. For medium skin tones, I usually do a nude berry." Look for satin or creme finishes that will give your lips just a hint of sheen.
Shop Now: NYX Slip Tease Full Color Lip Lacquer in Undercover Babe, $7, available at Ulta
Get your hands dirty—literally
When you're shopping for nude lipstick, you can't always trust what you see on the tube. "It could be more beige once applied," says Barose. To find your true match, it's going to take some experimenting. If available, swipe the back of your hands with testers as a reference before making your purchase.
Shop Now: L'Oréal Paris Cosmetics Colour Riche Ultra Matte Highly Pigmented Nude Lipstick in Full-Blown Fawn, $8, available through L'Oréal.
Look for balance
Now that you know how to pick your nude, it's also important to know how to wear it. "For me, the most important thing about wearing a nude lipstick is balancing it with the rest of your makeup," says celebrity makeup artist Maddie North. "If you have medium olive skin and you want to do a really light look, which looks great, you need to balance it out with your eye makeup," she says. "If you are fair and you want to do something more beige, you need to balance it out with a blush to bring a little bit more color into the face. It's just a balancing game."
Shop Now: CoverGirl Exhibitionist Lipstick in Tempting Toffee, $5.60, available at Amazon
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