How Do I Choose the Right Nude Lipstick for My Skin Tone?

Popular wisdom on selecting the best your-lips-but-better nude lipstick? Find something that complements your skin tone. Nicole Walmsley, a makeup artist who works with celebrities including Isabella Rossallini and Mikey Madison, says there’s some truth to this: Those with fair or light skin can typically benefit from light, rosy pinks as a way to add a subtle flush to the complexion without without washing it out, while those with medium, olive, or deep complexions can opt for dark beige, caramel, or mahogany shades to land a perfect nude lip color.

But here’s the twist: This time-honored advice is only part of the equation when solving for the most flattering nude shade. “As a guide, it’s best to find a lipstick shade that most closely resembles the color of the interior of the lip,” Walmsley says. That’s right — you should shade match the inside of your mouth. “A nude lipstick should match that coloring within a shade or two,” she adds.

Those with very flushed coloring on the inside of their lips are likely to have more pigmented coloring on the exterior of their lips, too, and can benefit from nude lip colors with neutral or warm undertones, including peach, golden, and orange, Walmsley says. Those with less pigment are often best suited to lipstick shades with cool or blue undertones (think light beige and rosy pinks). “Regardless of undertones, most people should avoid shades much lighter than their complexion, as it might look like concealer on your lips,” she says. (That is, unless you’re going for that look intentionally.)

Once you’ve zeroed in on the shade that best flatters your natural coloring (such as brown, pink, peach, or coral nudes), Walmsley suggests playing with different formulas (including matte, glossy, satin, and velvet) to find the finish with which you’re most comfortable. “While there are some guidelines to finding the perfect nude,” she says, “it’s also a matter of personal preference.”