Let’s face it: one nude doesn’t fit all. When it comes to selecting a shade of nude most flattering to your natural skin tone, the process can get a little tricky. Go too light, and you’ll seem washed out. Pick a shade too dark and you may feel like you’re back in the ‘90s. Basically, pulling off a subtle nude lip requires a lot more thought than you'd imagine.
We’re all searching for the perfect nude to match our unique skin tone. Those of us with deeper complexions just want to find nude lip colors that are pigmented to help our skin tones shine. Luckily, at Mented, we’ve strayed away from the one-shade-fits-all nude lippie. We first sought to develop the perfect nude lipstick for women of color, and have since broadened our lip collection to include everything from nudes to reds to pinks, pigmented for all skin tones. That your-lips-but-better match for all hues is possible… and it starts with Mented lipstick.
Keep reading to find out how to choose the right shade for your complexion and how to apply nude lipstick like a pro.
How To Find the Right Nude For Your Skin Color
With so many different shades out there, it can be difficult to navigate your way to ultimately find the right nude for your complexion. Luckily, we’ve got you covered on how to find a lipstick shade that works well with your skin tone — plus a variety of lipstick options that will actually match your natural skin.
#1 Identify Your Undertone
You’ve got your skin tone down, but what about your undertone? Let’s break it down: your undertone is the subtle color that radiates seemingly from beneath the surface of your skin. It’s important to identify if your undertone is cool, warm or neutral.
The goal is to tone down the natural pink in your pout with a slightly warmer or cooler tone of lipstick, depending on your skin’s hue. To find your perfect nude, choose one that is the perfect balance of warm and cold on your lips. If you have fair or lighter skin, pink and rose-based nudes will likely be the most flattering on you. Medium and olive skin tones look great in beige, toffee or mauve colored nudes. Women with deeper skin tones have room to play with shades of nude, from creamy caramel to deep cocoa. Finding the perfect lipstick for cool undertones and warm undertones is doable with Mented.
#2 Consider Your Natural Lip Color
When choosing a nude lipstick shade, keep your natural lip color in mind. Make sure to avoid nude shades that are much lighter than your natural lip color. By taking this simple tip into consideration, you will be saving your lips from appearing chapped or cracked. Regardless of the seasonal lipstick color trends, a rough lip texture is never appealing and can easily be avoided by choosing a slightly darker shade. Whether you are looking for a summer or winter lipstick, one way to find products that are sure to complement your skin tone is to select makeup lines like Mented that are specifically designed with your skin in mind.
#3 Find Your Favorite Finish
Lipstick pretty much comes in every type of finish you can imagine, including creamy, semi-matte, matte, satin, sheer, frosted and metallic. For a highly reflective, glossy and lightweight look, opt for satin, sheer or frosted lipsticks. On the flip side, creamy, matte and semi-matte lippies typically reflect less light, are less moisturizing and feel heavier on your lips. The finish you choose can affect the look you’re going for. To add an extra dash of drama, reach for a natural matte lipstick. For something a little more simple and effortless, try a creamy nude lipstick with a touch of shiny gloss.
Find Your Perfect Nude
Ready to find the perfect nude for you? Start with the Mented Shade Finder to discover your new favorite shade from our made-for-you collection. Ranging from light, tan, medium and deep, choose from shades like Dope Taupe or Dark Night depending on what kind of nude you’re in the market for.
If you want to see all the shades up close and personal, check out these swatch videos from GLAMBYRUNA, Destiny Godley and the Mented Team to see different Mented swatches on deeper skin tones.
How to Apply Nude Lipstick
Now that you’ve found your perfect shade, it’s time to figure out how to perfectly apply lipstick the right way. Applying lipstick can be just as challenging (if not more) than finding the perfect shade. Here are our best makeup artist tips to help you get your nude lip just right.
#1 Prep Your Pout for Application
Before you start putting on lipstick, you’ll want to make sure your lips are smooth and free of any dry skin. Whether you’re struggling with weather changes, dehydration or dry skin, you can add moisture to your lips in many ways. Start with a lip exfoliant or an overnight lip mask, then apply a lip primer right before lipstick application.
#2 Line Your Lips with a Natural Shade
No matter what lip product you’re applying, it’s always a good idea to start with a lip liner to make sure your look lasts. Avoid feathering, add dimension, and create an even lip line for a polished lip look!
Pro Tip: Once you’ve found your perfect nude, you can find its matching lip liner for smooth application.
#3 Apply Your Fave Nude Shade
This part is easy — once you’ve found your fave shade, simply apply the nude lipstick. Finish off the look with a dark eyeliner, a bold eyeshadow, or statement false lashes.
Mented Nude Lipstick
Mented celebrates women of all hues, so of course, we have nude lipstick shades for every complexion. This is why women of all skin tones prefer Mented lipstick — because when it comes to beauty, no one deserves to be an afterthought. From light to tan to deep hues, we believe all women should have makeup that actually works for their complexions.
