How To Look Radiant And Healthy In A Nude Lipstick

The notoriously tricky shade either works with your skin tone or against it.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

The notoriously tricky shade either works with your skin tone or against it. Learn from these celebrities who have turned wearing it into an art.

"To make a pale beige lipstick work, pair it with stronger brows and heavier eye makeup. And go for a satin or glossy finish – matte makes your makeup look flat."

Ming Xi

Her skin tone: Fair Asian

What to use: A nude with a soft pink or coral base to brighten the complexion. Yeo says to avoid light beiges and grey-based nudes (such as a grey-beige or cool brown), which draw out the yellow pigments in Asian skin, making you look sickly.
 
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1 Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Biscayne Park, $38.

2 Cle de Peau Beaute Lipstick in Lotus Flower, $92.

3 Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in #468 Michele, $52.

 

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Margot Robbie

Her skin tone: Fair Caucasian
What to use: A warm, rosy nude or warm beige brings out the pink tones in Caucasian skin. “For best effect, use a shade that’s one or two tones darker than your skin,” says makeup artist Melissa Yeo.
 
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1 Nudestix Intense Matte Lip & Cheek Pencil in Purity, $37.

2 Chanel Jumbo Longwear Matte Lip Crayon in #257 Discretion, $52.

3 Laura Mercier Velour Extreme Matte Lipstick in Vibe, $40.
 
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"A Barbie-pink or dusty mauve on your cheeks works better than a warm, rosy shade and makes you look less orangey. " 

Zendaya

Her skin tone: Tanned and bronzy

What to use: To bring out sun-kissed skin like Zendaya’s, use a pink and/ or coral nude lipstick slightly lighter than your skin tone to brighten it up. Pick a finish with a slight sheen.

 

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1 Etude House Shine Chic Lip Lacquer in Misty Silhouette, $19.90.

2 Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy Juicy Color Plumping Lip Gloss in Spice Girl, $34.

3 Nyx Professional Makeup Candy Slick Glowy Lip Color in Sugarcoated Kiss, $18.
 
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Constance Wu

Her skin tone: Medium

What to use: Blue-based nudes like dusty pink, a tone or two deeper than your skin. The pink balances excess yellow and orange tones in medium skin for radiance. Avoid nudes darker than your skin – baby pinks or light beiges may make you look ill.
 
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1 Sisley Le Phyto Rouge in #12 Beige Bali, $68.

2 3ina The Chubby Lipstick in #115, $19.

3 Clarins Joli Rouge Velvet in #755 Litchi, $40.
 
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Priyanka Chopra

Her skin tone: Dark and rich

What to use: Yeo says bluebased beiges look lovely on skin like Chopra’s as they add contrast to the complexion, bringing out its pink tones. “Deep chocolate browns also work well,” says Yeo.
 
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"To help deeper skin tones look radiant, avoid yellowish or earthy colours. Instead, wear pink, bright brown and beige to counter sallowness."

1 Decorte The Rouge Matte Lip Stick in BE354, $48.

2 Tom Ford Beauty Boys & Girls Lip Color in Bradley, $50.

3 Hera Rouge Holic Cream in #420 Clair Beige, $45.

TEXT CHELSEA TANG PHOTOS TPG IMAGES