A nice nude lipstick is like a trusty pair of jeans; you can never go wrong with it. Do you want to apply a new look of makeup for work? A lip that is nude is ideal for that. Want to look glamorous on a noteworthy occasion? Match a seductive eye with a nude lip. What exactly is a nude lipstick, though? The phrase is vague a lot of the time. The depth of your skin and your undertones determine exactly what is deemed Nude Lipsticks, according to celebrity makeup artist Kelli Anne Sewell. The ideal choice for you should eventually balance out the undertones of your skin tone. Sewell, for instance, advises people with chilly undertones to use a neutral hue (within a few shades of their skin tone) with a hint of coldness.
To create this list of the best lipstick formulas, we examined dozens of well-liked, top-rated products that come in a range of Nude Lipsticks tones. We brought them to our lab in New York City so we could assess each one on wear, pigment, shade range, comfort, and transfer resistance. We used exfoliated lips to apply them, evaluated their transfer through a tissue test, observed how they felt and fit on the lips, and recorded the experience of removing them. These revelations, together with Kelli Anne Sewell and Dominique Della Maggiore’s advice for makeup artists, have given us the 13 greatest naked lipsticks for transitioning your daytime makeup look into the evening.
Best Overall
Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick
This Dior lipstick impressed us the most out of all the naked lipsticks we tested. It settles to a matte finish that feels light on the lips and has a silky, powder-like texture that gives it an airy effect. It was a great option for any event because it didn’t slip or slide and had an amazing colour payoff from just one layer. It passed our transfer testing with flying colours and wore well. When we further assessed for transfer, very little colour was seen on our water glasses or apple, but a tiny bit of surplus product came off during the tissue test.
We didn’t find this lipstick to be particularly drying, unlike what some internet reviews claim. Before using this formula, we advise lightly exfoliating your lips and putting on a little coating of lip balm if you suffer with dry, flaky lips.
Best Drugstore
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
Revlon’s selection is ideal for those seeking a sheer-out or build-up product that is pleasant and approachable. It feels cushiony on the lips and is incredibly creamy and emollient. It doesn’t draw attention to or gather in lip lines; instead, it applies evenly and smoothly. It does transfer because the recipe is creamy and has a satin finish, which is a semi-matte finish. While eating and drinking caused it to wear off, this is a frequent occurrence with non-matte lipsticks, and reapplying is simple and smooth. It’s therefore perfect for everyday wear even though it might not be appropriate for a fully glam appearance or a special occasion.
The Nude Shades
- Bare Affair (warm undertones), Sky Line Pink (cool undertones), and Rose and Shine (neutral undertones) are the best for fair to light complexion tones.
- Ideal for tan and medium skin tones: Rose Velvet has neutral undertones, Caramel Grace has cool undertones, and Whisky Business has warm undertones.
- Coffee Bean (warm undertones) and Rumberry (cool, neutral undertones) work well for deep, dark complexion tones.
Best Shade Range
Natasha Denona I Need A Nude Lipstick
This lipstick has a nice smooth consistency, but what really sets it apart from other products on the market is its wide hue selection. With its wide spectrum of undertones and depth, it provides around two dozen colours, so everyone should be able to choose one or several that works for them. Wearing the formula is comfortable, pigmented, and creamy. The satin finish stays pigmented and smooth on the lips even if it does migrate slightly with eating and drinking.
Although we believe appropriate exfoliation and hydration, as well as avoiding over-applying the cream, could minimise this, we did find that it sank into lip lines a bit. If you’re searching for a certain Nude Lipsticks hue, we strongly advise looking through this selection.
The Nude Shades
- Warm undertones in Charlotte, neutral undertones in Natasha, and cool undertones in Beatrice are the best for fair to light complexion tones.
- Warm undertones in Judith and Claudia, neutral undertones in Yana, and cool undertones in Noa are the best choices for medium to tan complexion tones.
- Naya (warm undertones), Nati (neutral undertones), and Lola (cool undertones) are the best for deep and dark complexion tones.
Best Matte
Makeup By Mario Ultra Suede Lipstick
We suggest trying this lipstick if you want a traditional matte lipstick that you can brush on and not have to worry about it transferring to other parts of your mouth. The smooth and powdery composition applies smoothly to the lips and provides buildable, opaque coverage. While it can highlight dryness a little bit (as most mattes do), it passed our transfer tests with flying colours, and we didn’t feel like it was chalky or dry on the lips.
The Nude Shades
- Sierra (warm undertones), Sam (neutral undertones), and Erin (cool undertones) are the best options for fair to light skin tones.
- The best for tan and medium complexion tones are Fanda, Jesse, and Kate (cool undertones, warm and neutral undertones).
- Maurice (warm and neutral undertones) and Garth (cool undertones) work well for deep and dark complexion tones.
Best Soft Matte
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick
Although Pillow Talk is a well-known shade, you shouldn’t ignore the other bare colours in this stunning matte formula. This matte lipstick has a semi-creamy texture and a velvety matte finish, in contrast to many others that can appear and feel drying. It applies smoothly and offers lips a matte appearance with a hint of shine that just helps avoid a chalky finish.
While we did notice some transfer while biting into an apple, it transfers very little when blotting and drinking, therefore it’s not the best to wear while eating. Furthermore, because the composition isn’t very thick or dry, reapplication is simple.
The Nude Shades
- Pillow Talk (which has cool, neutral undertones) and Cover Star (which has warm undertones) work well on fair to light complexion tones.
- The following are the best for medium to tan complexion tones: Very Victoria (cool undertones), Super Model (neutral undertones), and Catwalking (warm undertones).
- Super Fabulous (warm undertones) and So 90’s (cool and neutral undertones) work best on deep and dark complexion tones.
Best Satin
Kulfi Beauty Heirloom Satin Lipstick
This satin formula will be ideal for you if you prefer a lipstick that isn’t matte but also isn’t overly shiny. Because it’s creamy and gives the lips a smooth, plump appearance, we actually prefer that it’s a little bit shinier than a standard satin lipstick. The consistency doesn’t bleed or settle into lip lines; it’s moisturising without being sticky. We adored that it provided a colour payoff in just one stroke, and even though the emollient texture caused some transfer, reapplication is simple.
Though the internet swatches are not very precise, the tints are gorgeous and look well on a variety of complexion tones. In person, the colours appear more vibrant and rich.
The Nude Shades
- Khadi Kiss (warm and neutral undertones) and Bangle Box (cool and neutral undertones) work best on fair to light complexion tones.
- Polki Dots (warm undertones) and Ghazal Glow (cool, neutral undertones) work well on medium to brown complexion tones.
- Ma’s Misra (warm and neutral undertones) and Rose Wood (cool and neutral undertones) work well for deep and dark complexion tones.
Best High Shine
Fenty Beauty Sheer Shiny Lipstick
The ideal lip product to carry in your bag for any occasion is a semi-sheer lipstick with a moisturising formula and a glossy finish. This lipstick provides colour, moisture, and shine in a single application. This formula is our favourite since it’s buildable, hydrates your lips with pomegranate butter, and isn’t too pigmented, making it simple to reapply throughout the day without a mirror.
It gave our lips a smoother, more youthful appearance, which we really liked. Although we would have preferred more shades, the semi-sheer texture allows the tints to work with a variety of skin tones.
The Nude Shades
- Makeout Break (warm and neutral undertones) and Retro Rose (cool undertones) work well on fair to light complexion tones.
- Ideal for tan and medium skin tones: Retro Rose (neutral and cold undertones), Glazed (warm undertones)
- Warm and neutral undertones of Bubble Rum and cool undertones of Cookies & Cocoa are ideal for deep and dark complexion tones.
Best Transfer-Resistant
MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick
Almost all classic bullet lipsticks will transfer a little, but of all the ones we tried, this one transmitted the least. The matte consistency glides smoothly to the lips and has an amazing colour payoff. It’s practically unbreakable once coated and cemented. When eating, drinking, and blotting, there was very little transfer, which makes this bullet lipstick a fantastic choice for a special occasion or date night. Even while it could feel a little drying at times, applying a tiny layer of lip balm won’t hurt.
The Nude Shades
- The best for fair to light skin tones are Bronx (cool undertones) and Honey Love (warm and neutral undertones).
- Yash (warm and neutral undertones) and Velvet Teddy (cool undertones) work well on medium to tan complexion tones.
- Whirl (warm and neutral undertones), Taupe, and Antique Velvet (cool undertones) work best on deep and dark complexion tones.
Best Hydrating
Merit Signature Lip Lightweight Lipstick
Because of its lovely smooth finish and soft, hydrating consistency, we love this lipstick from Merit for everyday wear. Rich in squalane, papaya extract, sunflower seed, and raspberry oils, the creamy consistency is easy to apply (and reapply) and nourishes the lips all day. We were really pleased with how lightweight and creamy it felt during our test, and we also liked that the pigmentation is buildable, which gives the shades greater versatility across a range of skin tones. Though the company should definitely expand its hue selection, the present Nude Lipsticks in the lineup are excellent choices.
The Nude Lipsticks Shades
- The best for fair to light complexion tones are Slip (neutral and cool undertones) and Baby (warm and neutral undertones).
- The best for tan and medium complexion tones are 1990 (cool undertones) and L’avenue (warm and neutral undertones).
- Tiger (warm undertones) and 1990 (neutral and cool undertones) are the best options for deep and dark complexion tones.
Best Lightweight
Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick
We suggest trying Pat McGrath’s lightweight matte formula if you want to experiment with lip colour but can’t take the feeling of product sitting on your lips. Rich pigmentation is provided by its ultra-soft, airy, almost whipped texture, which also makes it feel light on the lips. Your lips will be evenly coated in rich colour in just a few swipes, and the soft, powdery matte finish helps keep the colour from collecting in your lip lines.
We do not advise wearing this formula before eating because it transfers a lot. Reapplying the creamy formula is simple, though.
The Nude Lipsticks Shades
- Peep Show and 1995 (which have warm, neutral undertones) and Divine Indiscretion (which has cold undertones) work well on fair to light complexion tones.
- Venus In Furs (cool undertones) and Omi (warm and neutral undertones) work well on medium to tan complexion tones.
- Flesh 5 (warm undertones) and Flesh 3 (neutral and cold undertones) work well for deep and dark complexion tones.
Best Balm-Like
Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick
One of Victoria Beckham’s best-selling items, this eyeliner in satin kajal is a testament to her skill at crafting opulent, beautifully textured products. We love the formula in addition to the attractive, minimalist packaging; rosehip, coconut, and avocado oils provide moisture, and the consistency is creamy and gives buildable pigmentation. It feels like a creamy lip balm when you swipe it on.
We enjoyed how comfortable it felt on our lips and how simple it was to apply and build up to the pigmentation we wanted during our test. While eating and drinking does cause it to transfer a little and fade rapidly, it is simple to reapply without it becoming heavy or pilling. If you feel like treating yourself to we wholeheartedly endorse this one if you’re looking for an opulent, hydrating, and coloured sheer lipstick.
The Nude Shades
- Warm and neutral undertones in a smile and cold undertones in a pose are ideal for fair to light complexion tones.
- Pose (cool undertones) and Girl and Spice (warm and neutral undertones) work well on medium to tan complexion tones.
- Fringe (warm and neutral undertones) and Play (cool undertones) work best on deep and dark complexion tones.
Best Pigmentation
Colourpop Lux Lipstick
There are two finishes available for this affordable lipstick: a matte version that has a blurring effect, and a crème with a satin finish. They both have excellent pigmentation that applies smoothly and covers the lips in a deeply saturated shade of colour. The matte option can feel a little drying on the lips, however this can be lessened by moisturising your lips beforehand and applying the product softly. We noticed that the cream recipe felt a little heavy on the lips.
The formula’s wide shade range, which provides a true variation to suit a range of complexion tones, really surprised us, as did the minimum transfer.
The Nude Shades
- The Lounge (warm undertones) and Layover (neutral and cool undertones) are the best options for fair to light complexion tones.
Ideal for tan and medium skin tones: Warm undertones in trending, neutral undertones in Virgo, and cool undertones in Y2K
The following are the best for deep and dark complexion tones: Double Espresso (cool undertones), Latte (neutral undertones), and Gallop (warm undertones).
Best Dual-Ended
CTZN Cosmetics Nudiversal Lip Duo
We adore this dual-ended product in particular since it gives great value. On one end, it has a matte lipstick, and on the other, a matching Nude Lipsticks. Both lipstick formulae are easy to apply, pleasant, and creamy; the matte lipstick has a powerful colour payoff.
We did discover that both formulations settled into lip lines and transferred somewhat, so we advise using them sparingly. We were very pleased with the product’s shade range, which covers a wide range of tones and undertones aside from its dual-ended feature.
The Nude Shades
- Barbados’ neutral undertones, Dubai’s cool undertones, and Abu Dhabi’s warm undertones are the best choices for fair to light complexion tones.
Kuala Lumpur (warm undertones), Ibiza and the Maldives (neutral undertones), Lahore and Mexico City (cool undertones) are the best destinations for people with medium to tan complexion tones.
The best places to visit if you have deep or dark skin tones are Singapore (cool undertones), Sarajevo (warm undertones), Mykonos (neutral undertones), and New York City.
Where We Stand
Our top choice overall among all the nude lipsticks we tested is the Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick. It comes in a variety of tones, has a smooth, velvety matte finish, great colour payoff, and wears wonderfully. Choose the Kulfi Beauty Heirloom Satin Lipstick if you want something with a striking pigmentation and a pleasant satin feel. In case you would rather have something that is easily accessible without compromising on quality, we suggest the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick.
What to Look for in a Nude Lipstick
- Shade Range: To get a good match for your skin tone, make sure the product you’re looking for comes in a variety of hues. For instance, there are over 20 different nude tones available for the Natasha Denona I Need A Nude Lipsticks, ranging from extremely pale to quite rich. Everyone will be able to choose a shade that complements their complexion because the collection offers a wide range of undertones.
- Finish: A range of finishes, including matte, satin, high-shine, and others, are available for lipsticks. The ideal choice for you will rely entirely on your style preferences and desired appearance. We advise choosing a lipstick with a satin finish or one with a more balm-like consistency, such as the Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Lipstick or the Fenty Beauty Slip Shine Sheer Shiny Lipstick, if you want something buildable, comfortable, and simple to reapply throughout the day. Choose a matte lipstick, such as the Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick, if you’d like something more long-lasting.
FAQ
- What is a nude lipstick?According to celebrity makeup artist Dominique Della Maggiore, nude lipstick is generally a lipstick shade that’s close to your natural lip color and not too far off from your skin tone. Sewell agrees, saying that when she’s choosing a nude lipstick to apply on a client, she selects a shade that most closely matches their skin tone.
- How do you choose the perfect nude lipstick?Sewell says that the first step in finding your go-to nude shade is understanding your undertones. She explains that a true nude shade should match your undertones, so if you have warm undertones, choose a warm shade, etc. Maggiore adds that you’ll want to find a shade that either matches your lips or matches your skin tone but is a few shades darker in order not to wash out your complexion.
- How can you keep nude lipsticks from making you look washed out?If you find that a lot of nude lipsticks make you look washed out, Maggiore suggests looking for a shade with a hint or pink or brown. She also mentions that it’s best to avoid opting for a shade that’s lighter than your skin tone in order to prevent your lips from “disappearing.”
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She’s been using and testing nude lipsticks for many years, and she’s tested most formulas on this list herself. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
Alyssa also spoke with two experts to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for nude lipstick. Those experts include:
- Kelli Anne Sewell is a celebrity makeup artist, content creator, and founder of Makeup By Kelli Anne. She has worked with clients like Alix Earle, Brooks Nader, and more.
- Dominique Della Maggiore, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with clients like Liza Koshy, Jenna Dewan, and more.
