In The Nude

My name is Jess and I have a confession to make. I’m obsessed with nude.
Lipstick may I add. I have a grand total of about 47 nude lipsticks in my never-ending quest to find the ‘perfect’ nude. Is there such a colour? Everybody has different colouring and a universal confusion about what ‘nude’ means. For example, are we talking sixties throwback concealer-style pale, a literal barely there nude, my lips but better or a stronger bolder nude lip that is more browny toned? Everyone has a different concept of the nude look and a different style that suits.

For me, I have mid toned skin, dark hair and dark eyes. My eyes are by far my best feature so I want my lips to complement them, not to take away from them. My favourite nude of all time was a Revlon number that I wore for my wedding day which has sadly been discontinued (sob, Revlon how could you?!) and for the past two or three years I’ve been hunting to find the perfect replacement. I know I’m not the only nudist around here as I’ve met many others in my quest to find the perfect barely-there-yet-so-bloody-beautiful shade. So I’ve written up my top ten (yes ten!) because if you’re in the mood for a nude, there’s bound to be one here to suit.

Also, selfishly, I was hoping if I wrote this post that others would let me know their favourite nudes so I could enjoy some much needed dirty enabling myself – because you can never have too many nudes in your make-up bag, amiright? Here they are, my top ten nude shades for everyday…

The Best Nude Matte Moisturising and Sheer Lipsticks

Maybelline – Tantalizing Taupe

£6.99 Superdrug

This cheap and cheerful Maybelline number goes with everything. Sheer and with a pretty sheen, this gives a basic pinky beige hue to the lips, a barely there nude, my favourite type and all for under a tenner. It does need a few applications to build up a bit of colour and even then it’s super subtle and will need multiple applications throughout the day, but it’s a perfect grab and go lipstick for every occasion.

Chanel – Boy

£31 John Lewis

A classic colour, Chanel Boy is one I always reach for. In the tube I’m always put off by the look of it as it looks slightly too dark for me but this doesn’t translate on the lips, it’s gorgeously glossy and a great everyday colour, a total YLBB (your lips but better) option. And need I mention the packaging?

Charlotte Tilbury – Miss Kensington

Part of a trio from Charlotte Tilbury

I’m not normally much of a fan when it comes to mattes. In fact the only matte lipsticks I wear are generally Charlotte Tilbury (plus one Mac lipstick featured below) and even then they are few and far between. Miss Kensington has a rose petal pink hue and feels classy yet understated, inspired by the girls of the sixties and Norman Parkinson’s pictures of his muses, one of which was Audrey Hepburn. To me this equates to… wearing this lipstick equals Audrey Hepburn. Well, that’s my justification anyway.

Clinique – Beige Pop Lip Colour & Primer

£17 John Lewis

Despite being called Beige Pop, this is more pink than beige but I actually really like it, especially for the summer. What I love most about this lipstick though is the formula. I believe it’s my fave formula to date, it’s super moisturising and utterly weightless but with great colour payoff. Technically this is a blog about lipsticks, not about glosses or hybrids but I just have to mention the Clinique Pop Lip Lacquer and Primer in Wink Pop also, I adore it and it’s next on my wish list to buy!

L’Oréal – J Lo’s Nude

£6.99 Superdrug

This is probably in my top three nudes of all time and it comes in at just £6.99. The colour is stunning, the formula feels amazing and the price is fantastic. A pink hued nude, this is a subtle, chic and discreet shade. I have to say, I’m really impressed with L’Oreal, and it even lasts longer than I would have expected although not as long as many others I’ve featured. It is probably the best value lipstick I’ve ever owned for cost to wear ratio, I have a few of these stashed around the house/office/handbag so I’m never without!

Mac – Hug Me

£17.50 Asos

This was recommended to me by a makeup artist who said it’s a universal nude that suits everyone. Based on that I bought it without even trying it (no MAC counter in Cornwall!) I have to say I’m really impressed with how great it looks! It’s a gorgeous formula and a truly flattering shade. It’s not my usual pinky nude, more a my-lips-but-better with a lustrous finish that I truly think would flatter most! A new addition to my lipstick wardrobe but one I think I’ll get lots of wear out of!

Charlotte Tilbury – Kim KW

£24 John Lewis

I wanted this for a while and bought it in a mini trio set so I could try it first. What I love about it is that it’s a sixties style nude, that pale look that goes perfectly with a smoky eye, I also particularly like the formula, her K.I.S.S.I.N.G formula which I prefer to her matte formula. The light-diffusing pigments mean that it has a full-bodied effect which I love. However, in reality it perhaps washes me out a little. What I have discovered though is that when I mix it with other colours I adore it – it looks lovely mixed with Charlotte Tilbury Penelope Pink or combined with some of the other nudes featured here. I think it’s excellent that Charlotte Tilbury do some mini lipstick shades because if, like me, you’re based in the back end of nowhere, you can try without committing to a colour.

Mac – Kinda Sexy

£17.50 Asos

Kinda Sexy pretty much sums it up, something about this lipstick makes me feel like Scarlett Johansson. The reality of the matter is that I just look like me with slightly peachier lips but I suppose that’s it, I don’t really do peach colours so it’s a real novelty in my make up bag. Still a nude but with a slight peach/coral hue, I need to be wearing make-up to pull this shade off, otherwise it can pull a little orange and look like I may have just been eating bolognaise! When I get it right though it looks super sexy and I love it, especially with a touch of gloss on top.

Charlotte Tilbury – English Beauty

£16.80 Charlotte Tilbury

I realise there are a fair few Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks in my top ten but to be fair to her, she really does make an amazing formula. Matte, creamy, luxurious, gold packaging and that oh-so-satisfying click (I feel like a Hollywood star just getting it out of my handbag) this is the dream my-lips-but-better shade. This lipstick is apparently a slightly softer and pinker alternative to the iconic pillow talk (makes note to purchase Pillow Talk), making it a subtle and elegant addition to your lipstick wardrobe (and its currently on offer – woo hoo!). Sadly it’s limited edition and I’m a bit attached to it already, it’s in my top five for sure!

Smashbox – Monogamous

£17.50 Boots

Saving the best until last, this is my ultimate favourite nude lipstick of all time. It’s so sheer and beautiful. It might not be for everyone as it really is a barely-there colour, but for me, this is what I look for in a nude. A lipstick that doesn’t make people say “what lipstick have you got on?” but one where people say “you look great” without knowing why. Flattering and feather-light, I adore this colour and it’s one of my favourite formulas too, second only to the Clinique Pop range featured above. This lipstick is lightweight yet long-lasting, one that I stumbled across by chance and I’ve been in lipstick love ever since. Has it made me become monogamous? Sadly not. I don’t think I’ll ever be a one-lipstick girl but if I could only take one lipstick on holiday it would almost always be this one!

Which nudes do you like most and what brand do you swear by? (Digs credit card out in preparation.)