For every flattering nude lipstick, there are 20 that are not. Grace Lee, lead makeup artist for Maybelline New York Canada, recommends staying away from neutral lipsticks with grey undertones. Instead, look for warmer shades that are slightly brighter or deeper than your skin tone.

Perfect pairing: According to Lee, the right neutral lipstick will play nice with every beauty look, from sultry smoky eyes to graphic cat-eye flicks. Think of nude lips as the ultimate supporting cast member.

Finish and texture: When it comes to nude formulas, finish is everything. Skip matte and glossy textures and look for a natural satin finish.

Technique: If you're after full lips, Lee suggests applying liner just outside your natural outline, then using a brush to fill them in with lipstick. For a more modern, natural look, apply lipstick straight from the tube, then pat it in with your fingertip.


Lips: Jaclyn Locke, Swatches: Joe Kim

Find your match! (from left):  Clinique Pop Lip Colour and Primer in Beige Pop, $21, clinique.ca. Essence Long Lasting Lipstick in Cool Nude, $3.50, shoppersdrugmart.ca. Make Up For Ever Artist Plexi-Gloss Lip Lacquer in #104, $23, sephora.ca.


Public School Fall 2015 at New York Fashion Week; courtesy Maybelline New York

Beauty inspiration: Fly girl Jennifer Lopez on In Living Color

The semimatte nude lip was achieved with everything but lipstick. First, concealer neutralized pink undertones, then a bronzy-colour cheek stick was applied. Finally, a taupe eyeshadow patted onto the lips provided the semimatte effect. "Depending on the model's skin tone, we did a warm nude or a cool nude," says Lee.

Looking to try a different lip hue? Check out our tips for:
Hot reds
Regal purples

This article originally appeared in the September 2015 issue of Canadian Living.

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