1. Match Your Lip Color, Not Your Skin

If you’re trying to find out how to pick the right shade of nude lipstick for your skin, it’s time to look at your lip color and not your skin color. Press your lips together a few times so that the blood will rush to them and then take a snapshot of them on your phone. You want to try and find a blush, blushing berry nude lipstick, or an iconic shade like Black Honey from Clinique that will blend naturally with your lip color. Before selecting a tube, ensure you know how to determine what undertone you have so your choice harmonizes with your skin's natural warmth or coolness.

2. How to Determine What Undertone You Have

This is the most important part of finding the right shade of nude lipstick for every skin tone. Look at the inside of your wrist at your veins in natural light. If they appear blue or purple, then you have blue undertones. If they take on a slightly greenish hue, then you have yellow or warm undertones. If you can’t tell, you most likely have neutral undertones, which means you can opt for a nude lipstick that’s either on the blueish side or yellow side. Take your pick!

3. Lighter Skin Shades with Blue Undertones

If you're wondering how to tell if a lipstick is blue based, apply a swatch of the lipstick on the inside of your wrist. If it is blue based, the lipstick shade will look bluer on the outer edges. If your skin shade is on the lighter side with blue undertones, look for a blue based nude lipstick with berry or rosy pink hints. Brands like L'Oréal Paris offer classic options like the L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Le Stylo Nude collections. If you prefer warmer shades, compare these cool tones to recommendations for medium skin shades with yellow undertones.

4. Medium Skin Shades with Yellow Undertones

When looking for a nude lipstick for medium skin, steer clear of muddy brown tones. You don’t want your lips to blend into your face and become monochromatic by accident. The best lip colors for yellow undertones include rich caramel, warm beiges, and subtle corals. Think creamy shades and nothing too brown. For high-pigment options, check out collections at MAC Cosmetics.

5. Medium Skin Shades with Olive Undertones

Finding the perfect nude lipstick for olive skin is remarkably easy! Those with olive complexions can get away with a light creamy pink, soft beige, or fresh peach. A natural lipstick for olive skin often features golden or rosy undertones. Pair a sheer pink gloss over a creamy pinky-beige lipstick and you’re good to go. Corals also look especially beautiful on olive skin tones, just as they do for medium skin shades with yellow undertones.

6. Darker Skin Tones with Red Undertones

Darker skin tones with red undertones (or blue) look stunning in deep burgundy, rich reds, and plums. Line your lips with a slightly darker liner and blend the edges inward, leaving the center of your lips slightly lighter. Wash a sheer gloss in gold, mocha, latte, or pink over top and you’re set! You can explore top-rated formulas at Sephora.

7. Darker Skin Tone with Yellow Undertones

Rich coffee colors, vibrant orange-reds, or any lipstick with yellow undertones or golden hues look beautiful on darker yellow-based skin. If your complexion is slightly wheat-colored, try creamy light baby pinks and warm beiges. Matte lipsticks are especially flattering on this coloring, as long as you remember to start by matching your lip color, not your skin.

I hope this helps in your quest for the perfect nude lipstick! Finding the right shade of nude can be a fun journey, but once you’ve found the one (or a few), you’ll always have the perfect lip color to wear with any outfit and makeup look. Have you found your perfect nude lipstick? Leave a comment below and tell us your holy grail shade!