With the temperatures warming up here in NYC (finally!), I’m stashing all of my dark lip shades and searching those elusive your-lips-but-better shades that brighten my face without looking overly bright or heavy. Thankfully, the market has been delivering with some truly beautiful natural shades for all skin tones this year. Whether you prefer matte or glossy, barely-there or a deeper “statement” nude, there are lots of beautiful picks that will perfectly complement your skin tone. Pair with a smoky eye for evening, or simply swipe on some mascara and go—it’s spring, after all, so get out there, girl!
featured image by pauline suzor
Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink in “Seductress”
For the past couple of months, I’ve been searching for a “statement nude” lipstick—a neutral shade with a nice dose of brown that’s a couple of shades darker than my own lips. I love a shade like this paired with a sultry eye for an evening out; it’s sexy but less obvious than the black eyeliner/red lipstick combo. This matte liquid lipstick in Seductress is the perfect shade for my fair/medium skin tone, and the longwear formula truly lasts through dinner and drinks.
Volupté Liquid Balm in “Spy On Me Nude” by Yves Saint Laurent
If you’re craving shine this season, look no farther than this super-luxe liquid balm from YSL. Spy On Me Nude is a lovely shade that is neutral enough to work across multiple skin tones.
Wild with Desire Lipstick from RMS Beauty in “Brain Teaser”
I will forever be a fan of Rose-Marie Swift’s line RMS. All of her products are super-crazy-natural, and a dream to apply. I’m especially excited about the launch of her line of rich, creamy, satin-finish lipsticks. Magic Hour is a lovely, delicate shade for fair skin tones, while Brain Teaser is a gorgeous pick for deeper complexions.
Velvet Lip Glide in “Mars” by NARS
If typical matte lipsticks are too harsh for your liking, try taking a soft-matte pick like this liquid lip from NARS for a spin. There are an array of lovely nude shades, but I especially love Mars and Area for extra-deep skin tones.
Crushed Lip Color in “Sazan Nude” by Bobbi Brown
This lipstick has created a little bit of a sensation in the beauty world. With a balm-like texture, it’s designed to leave a sheer, almost blotted finish—similar to a stain. Bare is on my wish list, while Sazan Nude would be lovely for deeper-skinned ladies.
An entire line of nude shades? Jackpot! These coconut-butter-infused lipsticks come in ten shades to ensure that every lady can find her perfect match—yet despite it’s buttery, moisturizing texture, the formula is designed to last for up to eight hours.
Moisturizing Gloss Lip Crayon in “Santorini Sunrise” by Burt’s Bees
I’m nerdily obsessed with almost every lip product that Burt’s Bees makes; the colors are great, the formulas are always moisturizing, and the ingredients are clean enough that I feel great swiping them on over and over all day long. This gloss crayon is one of their newer offerings—Outback Oasis and Santorini Sunrise are two lovely nude options.
