Top 5 Nude Lipsticks
On the list of everyday make up products, I have a bunch of must-haves. From bronzers and mascaras to liners and concealers, there are a few key beauty essentials that I keep on rotation and recommend to anyone who will listen! Lipstick seems to be the one makeup product that takes a look from basic day wear to wow factor (I’m thinking bold red lips), so I tend toward I am a lip gloss and other shimmery/dewy lip effects to keep my look accessible and relevant to my on-the-go lifestyle. One lipstick I find super simple to integrate into my natural look is a nude lip. I mean, for the obvious reasons, a nude lip just works to look clean and fresh, but it also complements most skin tones and kind of makes lips look plumper than they really are (I think it’s a tone-on-tone thing). Although I typically reach for bright colours or even light pale pinks for a night-time event, lately I can’t keep my lips away from the perfect nude shade.
I have a few favourite brands when it comes to the nude lip look, so I narrowed it down to my top 5 here:
Lise Watier x Karolina Jez
“Karolina”
My good friend and kick-ass fashion blogger @KarolinaJez recently had the opportunity to create her own shade with Lise Watier called the “Karolina.” She came up with what is pretty much my new favourite colour when it comes to the nude look. The Rouge Fondant Supreme lipstick has a lustrous finish and is infused with Labrador tea extract. It has a sheer application and is super lightweight. The colour is picture perfect and has a hint of pink in it, perfect for blondes.
Chanel
“Boy 54”
The Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in “Boy 54” has a rich pigment which makes the colour glide on smoothly. It has a high-shine effect and feels very soft on the lips as it has a nice blend of oils in its formula. Most lipsticks come in a closed case, but the Rouge Coco reinvented their caps and it’s now transparent, so the colour is easy to identify (which is amazing because I have a ton of lipsticks!).
Stila
“Olivia”
Stila Color Balm Lipstick not only looks fantastic but it smells amazing too! Infused with conditioning emollients and cooling peppermint oil, the “Olivia” nourishes and calms. The blend is rich and creamy and feels like butter on my lips. There are a ton of iconic shades in Color Balm series, and each one is packaged in the most gorgeous gold case.
Charlotte Tilbury
“Pillow Talk”
So was it Kimmy K or Kylie Jenner that put the matte nude lip on the map? Whoever it was really hit it out of the park because the trend is here and going strong. The Charlotte Tilbury “Pillow Talk” gives lips a wider, fuller appearance and is enriched with orchid extract for a cashmere finish. The matte lipstick lasts forever and doesn’t feel flaky – it’s actually hydrating and soothing! They have 12 shades, but I think the Pillow Talk is their bestseller. You don’t usually think pop of colour when you think nude lip, but trust me, Charlotte Tilbury did something right with this one.
Givenchy
Timeless Pink 201
So the last few nudes were all lipsticks, but here is a lip balm that will add the perfect hint of color while also protecting and nourishing your lips. Givenchy Le Rose Perfecto in “Timeless Pink” is a three-in-one lip balm that is enriched with shea butter and pink pepper extract (yes, pepper). It’s comfortable and hydrates and also gives that runway glam look. Did I mention it comes in the nicest pink leather case?
Subtle and natural, nude lipstick gives that barely-there look. I always lean toward the pinkier nudes as they work best with my skin tone, but for some, browner nudes—although they have a slightly more retro or 90s feel—work best with darker skin tones. Whether it’s a light or dark nude, the shade is effortless and brings a touch of richness to the overall makeup look.
Photography by Patricia Brochu