The Best Nude Lipstick Colors for Every Skin Tone
Find your perfect match whether your skin is fair or deep.
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We updated this article in March 2022 to add more information about each featured product and details on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute, as well as expert commentary on application and selection tips.
Like a classic little black dress, a flattering nude lipstick is a must in every makeup wardrobe: It complements everything from minimal to bold makeup looks and works for casual everyday settings and special occasions alike. "Nude" is a color that can range from pale taupe to neutral beige to rich brown. You can find your ideal nude lipstick shade by considering your skin tone, undertones, texture and level of pigmentation.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab is constantly testing all types of lipstick formulas both in the Lab using technical evaluations and on consumer testers. In the Lab, they are tested for color transfer resistance and lasting power throughout the day. Consumers also rank them on factors including ease of application and removal, look and feel on lips, color payoff, and how well they hold up against fading. In the GH Beauty Lab's most recent lipstick test, scientists tallied 1,496 data points to find the top-performing lipsticks. Here, GH Beauty Lab experts share the best nude lipstick colors you can get for all skin tones, preferences and budgets:
Our top picks
- Best Matte Nude Lipstick: Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lipstick in Nude Reality
- Best Value Nude Lipstick: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Lipstick in Nude Lust
- Best Sheer Nude Lipstick: Rituel de Fille Enchanted Lip Sheer Semi-Matte Moisture Lipstick in Narcissus
- Best Pink-Nude Lipstick: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Lipstick in Ambiguous Beige
- Best Nude Lipstick for Fair Skin: MAC Cosmetics Love Me Lipstick in Under the Covers
- Best Nude Lipstick for Medium Skin: Ctzn Cosmetics Nudiversal Lip Duo in Shade 11: Istanbul
- Best Nude Lipstick for Olive Skin: Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Bashful You
- Best Nude Lipstick for Brown Skin: L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Luminous Hydrating Lipstick in Brilliant Brown
- Best Nude Lipstick for Indian Skin: Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Freckle Fiesta
- Best Nude Lipstick for Dark Skin: Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Fierce
- Best Nude Liquid Lipstick: NYX Professional Cosmetics Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Sandstorm
- Best Hydrating Nude Lipstick: BareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Boss
April (she/her) is the beauty director at Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman's Day, where she oversees all beauty content. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines.
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