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Home · Beauty Products & Tools

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women

Nude lipstick is the easiest way to fake effortless beauty, but finding one is so tricky. It doesn't matter if you prefer it matches your skin tone or natural lip color; the search for a perfect match is daunting. The upside of perusing is that there are a plethora of finishes to try out; matte, velvet and gloss included. The downside is that with the gargantuan amount of options out there, your search may never end. In an effort to bring you one step closer to a fall-ready shade, we've tasked ourselves with finding the best shades for a variety of skin tones. See which brands are the most black girl-friendly, according to ESSENCE staffers. 
By Nikki Brown · Updated October 26, 2020
01
Matte Melon

ESSENCE Beauty Editor Nykia Spradley is wearing a matte finish lippie that plays up her natural lip color with a soft finish. The brand she counts on for this effortless look is…

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
02
Matte Melon

bareMinerals GEN NUDE Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Cookie ($18, bareminerals.com). This ultra-moisturizing lipstick glides on like a gloss, but dries into the matte finish everyone is loving right now. As you can see, this soft melon shade looks amazing against brown skin and the price isn’t too shabby either! 

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
03
Satin Rose

For those who don’t prefer brown nude lipstick, rosier shades are also an option. Essence Digital Hair & Beauty Editor Nikki Brown is steering away from trendy mattes and instead wearing a lipstick that matches her natural lip color. Her top pick is a top seller at Sephora…

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
04
Satin Rose

NARS Lipstick in Rosecliff ($28) has a super creamy formula enhanced with vitamin E to minimize the chances of chap. What’s great about this rosy shade is that it almost looks like a lip balm, resulting in an even more effortless look.

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
05
Perfect Pink

ESSENCE Fashion Editor Joiee Thorpe is proof that pinkish nudes look absolutely beautiful against chocolate skin. Her go-to shade is another bareMinerals favorite…

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
06
Perfect Pink

bareMinerals GEN NUDE Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Wink ($18, bareminerals.com) look more brown inside the applicator, but it actually has a perfect pink finish. The cream-to-matte formula also has an addictive vanilla scent. 

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
07
Chestnut Realness

If you want a true blue, chocolatey nude lipstick for your stash, covet Style & Beauty Director Julee Wilson’s go-to shade. It will literally glide onto your pout…

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
08
Chestnut Realness

NARS Velvet Glide in Area ($26, sephora.com) looks super dark in the applicator, but the actual finish is a little lighter. This is an especially great find for winter because it’s infused with white tea extract for added hydration. 

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
09
Rosy Brown

If you’re a makeup minimalist like ESSENCE Assistant Beauty Editor Andrea Jordan, her go-to pick is an understated rosy brown that looks beautiful on a variety of skin tones…

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
10
Rosy Brown

bareMinerals GEN NUDE Radiant Lipstick in Strip ($20, macys.com) has a warm creamy finish that feels more like a balm than lipstick. In short: it’s the definition of effortless. 

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
11
Beautiful Beige

Our Social Media Director Brahaani Mamo found the perfect shade for fair skin. This beige-pink color is a great way to play up the natural flush in your cheeks and refresh your makeup look on the go…

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
12
Beautiful Beige

NARS Velvet Glide in Stripped ($26, sephora.com) can be worn alone or with a lip liner for added dimension. 

8 Black Girl-Approved Nude Lipsticks On Real Women
Natasha Hatendi
TOPICS:  Black Skin Color Dark Skin Light Skin
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