How many tubes of “nude” are sleeping at the bottom of a pencil case because they weigh down the complexion instead of illuminating it? Between beiges that are too pale and browns that harden the features, finding a perfect nude lipstick often seems like an expensive lottery. On social networks, a very simple tip nevertheless panics the comments: it promises to hit the mark without spending hours in the makeup department. And its starting point is surprising: everything depends on your fingertips.
Why the perfect nude always seems to be missing something
Makeup artists repeat that the universal nude does not exist. A shade that is too light fades the mouth, makes you look tired and can bring out redness. Conversely, a nude that is too dark breaks the softness of the face and is almost similar to a classic red. The right color should above all recall that of the lips at rest, as if they were slightly awakened by the cold or a quick walk.
To see more clearly, pros advise observing both the complexion and the undertone of the skin. Very light pink, light golden, medium, matte or dark skin types do not have the same needs. As a general rule, a nude slightly darker than the skin tone avoids the faded lips effect. The undertone also matters: pink, peach, neutral or brown, it is often enough to stay in the same family as that already revealed by the face.
An express method for your perfect nude lipstick
Concretely, all you have to do is gently pinch the tip of a finger for a few seconds, then look at the shade that appears. Under the effect of blood microcirculation, the skin turns a more or less warm pink, sometimes tending towards peach or brown. This color is similar to that of the lips when they are well irrigated. It then becomes a miniature color chart, portable anywhere, to guide the choice of stick.
In store, the gesture is simple: place the grape of the red, or a swatch on the back of the hand, right next to the still pink fingertip, and compare. The right shade is the one that almost blends into this color, even if it means choosing a stronger mid-tone for a healthy glow. Upon arrival, nude lipstick frames the mouth, adds relief and leaves the impression of a naturally fresher mouth rather than entirely made-up.
Adapt the color to your skin tone without making a mistake
Last pointer, adjust this tip to the general color of the face:
- Fair skin: aim for pink or soft peach nudes.
- Dark skin: pinkish brown, milk chocolate or luminous copper.