A nude lip is ideal for any occasion, whether you're dressing up or dressing down. It's a shade which always looks flattering, is easy to wear, and is simply elegant. However, with so many types on offer, it can be hard to decide which colour, formula, finish, and style is the best for you. But, don't worry, this buying guide will explain everything you need to know.
Whether you are looking for your signature shade or want to try something new, we're here to help you find your perfect match. Read on for our list of the top 10 best nude lipsticks from popular brands like MAC, Dior and Chanel, including cream, liquid, and matte varieties. From luxury to drug store favourites, there's plenty to choose from, no matter your style, budget or skin tone. Plus, they're all available from Amazon, John Lewis and Boots!
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of nude lipsticks available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() CHANEL | 2 ![]() Dior | 3 Charlotte Tilbury | 4 ![]() MAC | 5 ![]() NYX | 6 ![]() Milani | 7 bareMinerals | 8 ![]() L'Oreal Paris | 9 ![]() Urban Decay | 10 ![]() Rimmel London |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Rouge Coco Flash | Couture Colour Lipstick | Matte Revolution Lipstick - Pillow Talk | Matte Lipstick | Soft Matte Metallic Lip Cream | Color Fetish Matte Lipstick, The Nudes Collection | GEN NUDE™ Matte Liquid Lipcolour | Color Riche Ultra-Matte Nude Lipstick | Vice Lipstick - June Gloom | Lasting Finish Lipstick - Nude Collection |
Features | Classic Nude Cream Lipstick With a Moisturising Finish From a Luxury Make Up Brand | Long-Wear Nude Bullet Lipstick With Beautiful Packaging and Comes in Both Matte and Satin Finishes | Add a Touch of Glamour and Create Fuller Looking Lips With This Beautiful Nude Shade | A Cult Favourite Lipstick With a High Colour Payoff and up to 10 Hours of Wear | Liquid Nude Shade That’s Easy to Apply and Perfect for Creating Soft and Matte Lips | Luxurious-Looking Nude Shades for a Velvet-Matte Finish, Ideal for Those on a Budget | Lightweight, Natural and Silky Liquid Lip Colour That Leaves a Matte Finish | A Matte Lipstick With a Slightly Sheer Finish, Available in 12 Nude Shades | An Everyday Nude Bullet Lipstick With a Vegan Formula Containing a Range of Nourishing Ingredients | A Budget-Friendly, Creamy Nude Lipstick Which Lasts up to 8-Hours |
Price | £31.00 | £32.00 | £25.00 | £18.50 | £6.00 | £11.00 | £19.00 | £8.99 | £19.00 | £3.73 |
Best for | All skin tones | All skin tones | All skin tones | Light skin tones | All skin tones | All skin tones | All skin tones | All skin tones | Medium skin tones | All skin tones |
Formula | Cream | Cream | Cream | Cream | Liquid | Cream | Liquid | Cream | Cream | Cream |
Finish | Satin | Matte or Satin | Matte | Matte | Matte | Matte | Matte | Matte | Matte | Matte |
Applicator | Bullet | Bullet | Bullet | Bullet | Doe foot | Bullet | Brush | Bullet | Bullet | Bullet |
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Although anyone can pull off a nude lip, it's important to consider your skin tone. Nude shades enhance your natural lip colour, so wearing the wrong shade often makes the look appear less natural. You want to pick a nude shade that matches your skin tone, which will brighten your overall face and lips.
If you have a light or fair skin tone, try pink and beige shades, and avoid nudes lighter than your natural lip colour, as they can make your lips look thin. For warmer complexions and medium skin tones, opt for caramel or deeper pinks, as these will stand out more on your lips. Finally, those with a darker skin tone should pick deep berry nudes.
Want something a bit bolder? Check out our recommendations for the best red lipsticks.
Lipsticks usually come in two formulas - cream or liquid. Cream lipsticks are thick in texture, easy to apply, and have excellent staying power. They are great for both professional and everyday settings as they tend to look slightly sheer and thus more natural on the lips. On the other hand, liquid lipsticks tend to offer a bolder colour and don't smudge as easily.
In terms of finishes, the most common are matte and satin. Matte finishes tend to last the longest due to their intense pigmentation. Since they don't have any shine to them, they make your lips appear bold and smooth. On the other hand, Satin finishes offer the same bold colour but have a slight sheen to them. These are perfect for the everyday, whereas satins are better for a more glamorous look.
For more on the different formulas and finishes, look at our guides for the best liquid and matte lipsticks.
Lipsticks also come in different shapes, and each has its pros and cons. Traditional cream lipsticks have a bullet shape where the product twists out. These lipsticks tend to be easier to apply than liquids as you touch the product directly to your lips, whereas liquid lipsticks need to be painted on with a brush.
As you need to be more careful and precise with liquid lipsticks, these are only really useful for those who have the time and energy to put into their makeup. So, if you're generally short on time when getting ready, opt for a bullet lipstick. It is worth noting, though, that liquid lipsticks tend to be much longer-lasting than bullets.
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Boy
£31.00
Best for | All skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Cream |
Finish | Satin |
Applicator | Bullet |
£32.00
Skin Tone | All skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Cream |
Finish | Matte or Satin |
Applicator | Bullet |
Pillow Talk
£25.00
Skin Tone | All skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Cream |
Finish | Matte |
Applicator | Bullet |
Velvet Teddy
£18.50
Skin Tone | Light skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Cream |
Finish | Matte |
Applicator | Bullet |
Stockholm
£6.00
Skin Tone | All skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Liquid |
Finish | Matte |
Applicator | Doe foot |
£11.00
Skin Tone | All skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Cream |
Finish | Matte |
Applicator | Bullet |
Gen Nude
£19.00
Skin Tone | All skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Liquid |
Finish | Matte |
Applicator | Brush |
£8.99
Skin Tone | All skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Cream |
Finish | Matte |
Applicator | Bullet |
June Gloom
£19.00
Skin Tone | Medium skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Cream |
Finish | Matte |
Applicator | Bullet |
£3.73
Skin Tone | All skin tones |
---|---|
Formula | Cream |
Finish | Matte |
Applicator | Bullet |
Written and researched by Jane Pipkin
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