While nude lipsticks are often touted as a sophisticated yet subdued alternative to a bold red, those with darker skin are aware that the term ‘nude’ rarely—if ever—encompasses the full spectrum of skin tones. Whether it’s a lipstick marketed as ‘universally flattering’ that comes out looking ashy and forlorn on darker skin or ‘nude’ heels that are quite staunchly beige, nude often simply just doesn’t work for those with darker or deeper skin tones.
Fortunately, these days makeup brands are recognising that nude isn’t synonymous with rosy pink, peach, and taupe, with expanded shade ranges working to cater to the diverse array of people who enjoy makeup. With chestnut browns, deep chocolates, and rich berry shades making their way into the fray, it’s easier to pick up a nude lipstick suited to darker skin tones.
However, there is still room for error. After much trial (and almost as much error), we’ve waded through a sea of nude lipsticks to find the best ones for deep and darker skin tones. So that you can avoid the misses and skip straight to the hits, we’ve complied the best nude lipsticks for brown and black skin here.
1. Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Pillow Talk Intense
While the original Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk is heralded as the go-to nude-pink for all, it has the tendency to look ashy on deeper skin tones (unfortunately I discovered this through experience). However, the lesser discussed Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Pillow Talk Intense is the perfect nude lipstick for darker skin, with the berry-rose hue complementing the richness of melanated skin tones. A moisturising formula, it glides smoothly onto lips and features a satin finish.
That said, if you want something closer to the OG Pillow Talk shade (but adapted for dark skin), opt for the brand’s Matte Revolution Pillow Talk Medium which retains the same soft pink appeal. If choosing between the two, we’d recommend Pillow Talk Intense for event wear and Pillow Talk Medium as a classic everyday shade.
2. Clinique Even Better Pop Lip Colour Foundation in Tickled
Though it mightn’t be the trendiest brand around, Clinique has a pretty impressive shade range when it comes to both foundation and lip colours. The Clinique Even Better Pop Lip Colour Foundation range is designed to flatter your natural skin tone and undertone; with 30 shades, there’s a nude for everyone. We love the deep caramel hue of Tickled, however, there’s a wide array of shades suited to deeper skin tones available.
3. Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream in Thrilling
‘Hydrating’ and ‘matte’ are often mutually exclusive terms, but the Rare Beauty Lip Soufflé Matte Lip Cream proves that doesn’t have to be the case. Boasting a lightweight velvety matte finish, this nude lipstick sits comfortably on the lips without drying them out or sinking into creases. The deep chocolate hue of the shade Thrilling is particularly well-suited to darker skin tones.
4. Milani Colour Fetish Matte Lipstick in Desire
Intense colour payoff on a budget. Offering a comfortable matte finish, this lipstick works across the full spectrum of brown and black skin tones. For those who want something even deeper, the Sensual colour in the same range is another option.
5. Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Unveil
We’ve come to have high expectations for Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty in terms of inclusiveness and formula quality, and the range of Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paints delivers on both fronts. A long-lasting matte formula that doesn’t budge, the Stunna Lip Paint in Unveil makes for the perfect everyday nude shade. For a more defined look, use a lip pencil to outline your lips first.
6. Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Wise
A soft warm brown shade, the Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Wise is an eminently natural looking option for deep and dark skin tones. For something with a little more impact, try the shade Strong, which is darker chocolate brown.
7. YSL Beauty Rouge Volupte Shine in Carmine Retro
Made with natural oils and infused with hyaluronic acid, the YSL Beauty Rouge Volupte Shine in Carmine Retro is a nourishing balm formula that hydrates lips and provides a glossy finish. The shade Carmine Retro sits well on all skin tones; with notes of burgundy and deep rosewood, it looks especially striking against darker skin.
8. NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss in Ginger Snap
Technically a lipgloss, the NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss in Ginger Snap is an excellent way to dip your toes into the world of nude lips. The buttery smooth formula sinks into the skin, providing an ultra-glossy finish with a hydrating effect.
9. Ami Cole Lip Treatment Oil in Excellence
Created by a Black-owned, clean beauty brand, the Ami Cole Lip Treatment Oil in Excellence was designed with melanated skin in mind. The oil-to-gloss formula nourishes, protects, and hydrates lips with plant oils while providing a delicate dose of colour. The rosy, taupe hue is suited to deeper skin tones, working to enhance your natural lip colour for a true nude.
10. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Pillow Talk Medium
For a nude-pink tone suited to medium to dark brown skin, bypass the original Pillow Talk in favour of Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Pillow Talk Medium. Soft and creamy yet with a matte finish, it’s the ideal flattering soft pink shade for deeper skin tones.
11. Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick 108 Cimarron
Flattering on the full spectrum of deeper skin tones, the Gucci Rouge à Lèvres Satin Lipstick is a creamy, moisturising lipstick with a surprisingly lightweight formula. The shade 108 Cimarron is a warm caramel or cinnamon brown that can be worn alone or alongside a darker brown lipliner for a two-tone gradient effect.
12. Huda Beauty Faux Filler Lip Gloss in Coco
The perfect nude for dark-skinned girlies, the Huda Beauty Faux Filler Lip Gloss in Coco delivers luscious shine and moisture coupled in the perfect rich chocolate brown. The shade is particularly *chef’s kiss* on black skin, while the shade Foxy works well on medium to dark brown skin.
13. Natasha Denona I Need A Nude Lipstick in 4B Naya
The Natasha Denona I Need A Nude Lipstick range was created to help women of all skin tones find their perfect nude. And it’s certainly succeeded in fulfilling that brief. 4B Naya is a versatile medium brown with warm undertones, while the next shade up (5B Nati) is a deeper coppery hue. For those with cooler skin tones, the 6B Lala is a chocolately brown that comes without the warmth typically associated with the shade.
14. bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra Smoothing Lipstick in Awareness
Pink nudes aren’t necessarily out of the question, however, those with darker skin should opt for berry or rosy shades over peachier hues. Clean makeup brand bareMinerals has the ideal rosy-nude for darker skin tones. A moisturising formula with a satiny finish, the bareMinerals Mineralist Hydra Smoothing Lipstick in Awareness delivers that just-bitten effect for dark skin, making for an understatedly sexy look.
15. Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick Rum Raisin
You might have seen this one doing the rounds on TikTok a while ago, and for good reason. The Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick is an ultra-moisturising formula that sits somewhere between a lipstick and lip balm; combining the rich pigment of the former with the nourishing properties of the latter. The shade Rum Raisin is one of those rare almost universally flattering hues that looks good on fair to dark skin tones. It’s akin to milk chocolate spiked with the tiniest bit of rosewood, making for the perfect soft nude for brown and black skin.
When selecting a nude lipstick for deep and dark skin tones, steer clear of peach and pale pink shades. Instead, gravitate towards deep caramel and chocolate brown shades, or berry and rosewood hues.
Finding the right rosy nude lipstick can often be difficult for dark skin; sometimes it’s easier to start with a lip oil or gloss, as the sheer wash of colour and hydrating formula prevents it from coming across as ashy. Try the Summer Fridays Dream Lip Oil in Rosewood Nights or Revlon Super Lustrous Glass Shine Lipstick Rum Raisin. Another failsafe rosy nude is the Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Pillow Talk Intense.
Although we’d recommend selecting a deeper nude lipstick that better suits your skin tone, there is a way to make lighter nude shades work for you. Lip liner can be a valuable tool in making nude lipsticks work for darker skin, particularly when it comes to matte shades. Select a deep brown or rose shade (depending on the nude lipstick you’ll be wearing) that’s a shade or two darker than your lipstick and use it to shape and define your lips first. Then, apply your lipstick before gently pressing your lips together to create a subtle smudged gradient effect. This creates a gradual transition from your skin to the centre of your lips and makes a lighter shade look less jarring against the skin.
Words by T. Angel
