These are the 15 best nude lipsticks for dark skin tones we've ever tried
What even are nude lipsticks? What do they look like? The term nude is probably a bit problematic. It's meant to describe a colour that resembles that of a person's skin. So, it doesn't make sense that nude tights, nude plasters and nude lipsticks are so often all the same shade of pinky beige. Not exactly inclusive, to say the least.
However, there are signs of change within the nude conversation. Many beauty brands have expanded their shade offerings to cater to all, not only when it comes to their foundations and concealers, but also with their lipstick offerings.
Nude lipsticks have not just been a trend forever, they're a lifestyle. They're the go-to everyday for most women out there. From matte textures to high shine glosses, there is no bad way to wear the shade on your lips. “Nude lipsticks are flattering for all different skin tones as they enhance the wearer’s natural lip colour, allowing their features to shine, offering a subtle yet polished look suitable for an easy day or night look in a flash. They are one of the main reasons why I created 15 shades of nudes for every skin tone.” says Emolyne Ramlov, founder of Emolyne Cosmetics.
Best nude lipsticks for dark skin at a glance:
How to find your nude?
The trick is finding the perfect product to suit your skin. The right shade should subtly enhance your natural lip colour, without changing the undertones too dramatically. “If the nude is too pale, it will ‘erase’ your lips rather than accentuate them,” says Kay Montano, celebrity makeup artist.
“You want a nude that is not lighter than your lips, but one that is a similar colour to your lips. In darker skin tones that will naturally be one (depending on how dark you are) that goes from a rosy brown, to brown, to chocolate tones. I personally think they look the most lovely when they have a creamy, yet ‘flat’ texture, not glossy and definitely with no shimmer.” she adds.
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Undertones can be broken down into three main categories – cool, neutral and warm. Those with cool undertones tend to have a rosy tinge to their skin, those with warm undertones will have a golden or yellow tinge to their skin, and neutral is somewhere in between.
Emolyne adds: “I always encourage my clients to test and see whether they are a cool, warm or neutral undertone, as this helps them discover the shades that suit their skin tone without looking dull. I feel it is key to identify what tonal shades are the most flattering for you, to make you feel confident when rocking a nude lip.”
While this may sound slightly confusing, there are a few quick and easy ways to tell at-home. Look at the colour of any visible veins. Are they purply blue, or green? If they're the former, you probably have cool undertones, and if they're the latter, you probably have warm undertones.
“I also recommend testing shades in natural lighting and experimenting with different tones to help pinpoint your perfect match. If ever in doubt, I always look for a nude which enhances my natural lip colour to give me an effortless look. For darker skin tones like myself, I love using nude lipsticks with warm undertones such as rich browns, warm peaches, or deep terracottas. These shades harmonise with the natural undertones of darker skin, creating an immediate sense of being pulled together.” adds Emolyne.
According to Kay, you'll also want to make sure you've got a little base makeup on when you test out different shades. “Whatever skin tone you are, and in order for a nude to look good, it’s important to ensure that you have a little coverage on the face first, as a nude lip will accentuate any discolouration,” she says. “A nude lip is definitely a make-up product that works in tandem with other cosmetics, it is not a ‘solo’ product like mascara, blusher, or bronzer.”
The problem then exacerbates when you have dual coloured lips like many Black women do.
Emolyne says: “Dual-coloured lips can be balanced with a strategic nude shade selection after a light sweep of foundation. I’d recommend going for a nude that's slightly deeper or warmer than your bottom lip colour to create a coordinated gradient. Applying a lip liner in a shade similar to your bottom lip colour before applying the nude lipstick can also help create a seamless transition, harmonising the two tones.”
Once you've distinguished your undertones and the best nude lipstick shade it's time to consider the rest of your makeup look. “Make-up artists love nude lipsticks because of the way that they even out the overall tone of the lips, and give a polished look,” explains Kay. “It also makes the ideal canvas for allowing the eyes to really ‘pop’ should you wish to do a smoky eye, a flick, or just lashings of black mascara. It allows you to create drama on your eyes without looking heavily made up. A nude lipstick is a little cooler, and adds a more youthful touch to a dramatic eye.”
Keep scrolling for our selection of the best nude lipsticks for dark skin tones we've ever tried…
Shades: Uncuffed
Why we love it: Liquid lipsticks are by far the winners when it comes to staying power – and Fenty's is arguably one of the best liquid lipsticks available. Uncuffed is a medium toned, purple brown that works well with cool undertones.
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Shades: Tracy, Eartha, Maya
Why we love it: This sensual, silky lipstick drenches skin with moisture while providing a soft matte finish.
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Shades: Morocco, Tanzania, Kampala,
Why we love it: These nudes are very complexion friendly, which means that the shades stretch to suit many different dark skin tones, depending on the type of finish you want. If you want a bold finish, go for a lighter nude and match it with a deep lip liner, if you want something more understated go for something closer to your skin tone and perhaps fill in your lips with the same shade lip liner.
Shades: 1995, Femme Bot, Flesh 3, Omi
Why we love it: While the shade is more of a lighter beige, shades like 1995, Femme Bot and Omi are versatile enough to work on a range of lip hues and the non-drying but opaque coverage lasts and lasts. Flesh 3 is a deeper shade option for those who want something more punchy or a shade closer to their skin tone.
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Shades: Coral Sunset, Black Cherry, Vintage Rosewood, Blaze of Glory
Why we love it: Wether you're looking for a pinkier nude, or something on the deep browns scale, there will be a shade of nude for you here. This liquid lipstick can also be used on the rest of the skin as blush, or bronzer, or contour or eyeshadow as the formula dries matte and is easily blendable.
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Shades: Amore, Baby Face, First Kiss, Joyride, Game Night
Why we love it: This nude collection will leave you spoilt for choice. If you want a warm, cool, pink undertones or more orange undertoned nude, there is one for you here. The finish is matte-dewy and will leave your lips looking and feeling like a velvety throw.
Shades: Brave, Courage
Why we love it: A liquid lipstick can work just as hard if not harder than your usual stick lipsticks. These dry matte, but leave lips feeling soft to the touch and and don't settle on the lip lines. Perfect for topping up as they won't crumble when layered.
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Shades: So 90s, Very Victoria, Pillow Talk Medium
Why we love it: Delivers strong pigment so you won't be able to see through uneven colour, specially if you want a bold matte finish and you have dual coloured lips.
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Shades: Unbuttoned, Unzipped, Unhooked
Why we love it: For its glossy natural finish, with gloss that doesn't settle on the lip lines and leave a white cast. It gives you that ultimate plumpness that you would get from a lip gloss, but without that sticky texture.
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Shades: Canyon, Orchid, Amber, Cinnamon
Why we love it: If you're looking for a plush, semi-matte nude but with the comfort and natural glow of an oil, this is the perfect combo. The canyon shade is a warm dark hue that is flattering to all, with a hint of amber on the lips married with a dark lip liner this will give dimension and a plump finish for dark skin tones.
Shades: Whirl, Hug Me, Femmomenon, Can't Dull My Shine, Push Tit, Thanks It's MAC
Why we love it: If you're looking for a medium-toned, warm brown, Whirl is your shade, but the others will get you covered if you're looking for deep warm hues. Plus, even though it's a straight up matte finish, the formula still feels creamy and comfortable.
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Shades: Cheeky Chestnut, Nuzzle, Closer, Cuddle, Heavenly
Why we love it: Clinique has one of the most extensive range of nude shades on the market, with a large variety of nude like hues to choose from. Entwined is a rich nude shade with warm undertones, and can be applied as a sheer wash or built up into a more intense look.
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