The Perfect Nude Lipstick For Indian Skin
Whether you are a makeup newbie or have been playing with makeup for years, there is one thing you probably agree on – finding nude lipsticks for Indian skin tones is not an easy feat! To get the right nude lipstick for Indian skin, you have to go beyond just the skin tone and look at the undertone too. From pale and light skin tones to deep complexions, there is a different nude lipstick shade for each skin tone. Add to that list the 3 different undertones – cool, warm, and neutral- and you will feel like being lost in a maze. With so many options, it is not surprising to end up buying lipsticks that make you look washed out.
If you are on the hunt for the perfect nude lipstick for your Indian skin tone and don’t know where to begin, we’ve got you covered. Read on to know how you can pick the best nude lipsticks for Indian skin tones and undertones and rock the color like a boss!
How to Choose the Right Nude Lipstick?
When it comes to nude lipsticks, the rule ‘one size fits all’ doesn’t really apply. You must consider various factors like skin tone, undertone, and more before selecting the right one for you. Here’s a breakdown of how to find the best nude lipstick for Indian skin tone.
1. Decode Your Skin Tone & Undertone -
Knowing your skin tone and undertone is the first step to finding the right nude lipstick for you. Here is a brief guide:
Skin tone: This refers to the overall color of your skin. There are three types of skin tone: fair, medium, and deep.
Undertone: It refers to the faint color under your skin's surface. Undertone is categorised into three sections - warm, cool, or neutral. Wondering what your undertone is? Look at your wrist veins in natural light:
• Blue/purple veins: Cool undertone
• Green veins: Warm undertone
• Combination of both: Neutral undertone
2. Pick a Shade That Complements Your Skin Tone -
Selecting the best nude lipstick for Indian skin tone is tricky but not impossible. Remember this short note: Porcelain skin types radiate (subtly) with peach or pink nudes. Those with medium skin types look beautiful with rosy browns or caramel nude pouts. Deep browns, brick reds, or dark berry-based nude shades go well with olive and darker complexions.
3. Avoid Extreme Paleness -
Nude lipsticks do give you natural look, but selecting too pale shades can leave you with extremely washed-out look and create unnatural contrast with your natural lip color. Excessively pale or greyish nude hues can snatch away the color and warmth from your face, as they can wash you out. Very pale nude shades can highlight dry lips or other lip perfections. Hence, when shopping for a nude lipstick for Indian skin tone, choose a lipstick color that is one shade lighter or darker than your skin tone, as finding an exact match will wash out your lips completely and make you look sick and sallow.
Best Nude Lipstick for Indian Skin Tones
For fair skin -
• Cool undertone
Fair and light complexions usually have cool undertones, so look for a nude lipstick shade that has soft pink undertones that complement the cool undertone of your skin.
• Warm undertone
If you are someone with a light or fair complexion and a warm undertone, look for a peachy-nude lipstick instead. Avoid lipsticks with warm brown undertones as they often tend to look too dark on your lips to be considered nude.
• Neutral undertone
Cool undertones are typically associated with fair skin. However, fair skin can also have a mix of warm and cool tone, resulting in neutral undertones.
Product recommendation -
• Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Clay Crush – Nude lipstick for fair skin
• Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick – Nude Nuance - Nude lipstick for fair skin
For dusky/medium skin -
If you fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum and are looking for a nude lipstick for dusky skin, opt for a lipstick shade that has warm yellow and orange undertones to enhance the golden glow of your skin. Lipsticks with beige and brown undertones often work best with dusky and medium skin tones, but you can also play with lipsticks that have a darker pink undertone as well.
• Cool undertone
Looking for the best nude lipstick for Indian skin tone, especially dusky skin tone? Say yes to mauve, pink-brown, or berry undertones lipsticks as these shades complement your skin's coolness without washing you out.
• Warm undertone
Enhance the warmth of your skin with lip shades with caramel, peach, brown-orange, or brick undertones. (Read our guide on A Guide On How To Choose Lipstick Undertone to learn more about lipstick undertone). Choose terracotta, deep brick reds, etc., to elevate your pout game.
• Neutral undertone
Lucky you! Dusky or medium skin tones with neutral undertones have the upper hand to experiment with a wide variety of nude lip shades. Nude lipsticks with brown base and even taupe nudes complement medium skin tones with neutral undertone.
Product recommendation -
Maybelline Sensational Liquid Matte Lipstick in the shade Sensationally Me - Nude lipstick for dusky skin
For deep skin
• Cool undertone
The key to nailing a nude lipstick for deep Indian skin tones is to pay close attention to the undertone. If you have cool undertones, look for brown lipsticks with red and berry undertones.
• Warm undertone
If your deep or dark complexion has a warm undertone, the perfect nude lipstick for you would be one with warm terracotta or orange undertones. Don’t be afraid to go a shade darker than your complexion as a very close match can make you look washed out.
• Neutral undertone
Deep skin tones usually have warm undertones. However, it is natural to have a neutral undertone that strikes a perfect balance between in both warm and cool shades. Here are some nude lip shade suggestions for you – deep chocolate brown, deep berry brown, warm caramel brown, etc.
Product recommendation -
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in the shade Voyager - Nude lipstick for deep skin tone
Now that you know how to choose the best nude lipstick for Indian skin tone, let’s learn the right way of applying it.
Application Tips for a Flawless Nude Lip
Nude lipstick can be your everyday go-to lipstick or the perfect pair for a smokey look. No matter, what type of face makeup or eye makeup looks you create, knowing the steps will give you the stunning ‘your lips, but better’ look.
Step 1: Gently exfoliate your lips to remove dry skin. Follow with a hydrating lip balm before applying lipstick.
Step 2: Apply concealer or foundation to create the base. Applying concealer will help you cover any discoloration around your lip line with a concealer that matches your skin tone.
Step 3: Outline your lips with a lip liner that matches your nude shade or your natural lip color. Wish for a fuller look? Slightly overline your lips (on your cupid's bow) for a fuller appearance.
Step 4: Already bagged the best natural color lipstick for Indian skin tone? Now, it’s time to apply it. If you have bullet lipstick, you can choose to apply it directly or with a lip brush for more precision. The wand-like applicator of liquid lipsticks makes it easier to apply. Start from the center of your lips and blend outwards.
Step 5: After the first coat of lipstick application, blot with a tissue to remove excess product and ensure longevity. For added intensity, apply a second layer of lipstick.
Step 6: Add dimension to your nude lip makeup with a touch of clear lip gloss.
Nude lipsticks are perfect for everything, from your no-makeup makeup days to when you want to go full glam with a dramatic smokey eye. So, what are you waiting for? Go through the details, the list of best nude lipsticks for Indian skin tone, and application tips, and get natural-looking nude lips in no time.
Need more help with the nude shades? Try the Maybelline Virtual Try-On tool as it lets you virtually try on hundreds of different face, eyes, and lip makeup products in real time, from the comfort of your own home. Test all the Maybelline nude lipstick shade range and find the perfect nude lipstick shade for your Indian skin tone!
Browse through our lip makeup tips to get further assistance on lip makeup-related queries, ideas, product suggestions, and more!
