How to Choose Nude Lipsticks That Don't Wash You Out

Nude lipsticks are meant to be subtle and flattering. However, too often, they end up looking ashy, dull, or completely off. If you have ever found that your nude shade makes you look like life has been drained from your face, then you are not alone. The issue lies not in your face or skin, but in the shade of nude lipstick chosen.

Understanding how lipstick shades interact with your natural undertone and skin depth, or other cosmetics on your face, is key to finding the right one. To help prevent that, this guide breaks down exactly what causes a washout so you know not to repeat your mistakes. Get expert beauty tips and makeup tricks that can help you find the right nude lipsticks that truly complement you.

The Real Reason Why Your Nude Lipstick Looks Ashy

A nude lipstick washes you out when the contrast between the lipstick and your natural lip or skin tone is off. This may sometimes be due to dry and chapped lips, which appear slightly greyish and thus, affect the look of the lipstick on top of it as well. However, even with proper lip care, often it is your choice of lipstick shade that results in the ashy look. Multiple aspects of your face and skin tone can potentially lead to you choosing the wrong shade, such as:

  1. 1. Wrong Undertone: The undertone of the nude lipstick needs to match the undertone of your face. Accordingly, using a cool, greyish beige on golden or olive skin can make your face look lifeless, pale, sallow, and tired.
  2. 2. Choosing a Lighter Shade: In addition to the undertone, selecting a shade that is significantly lighter than your natural lip colour can also make you look washed out. Lips boast depth and pigment, and stripping that away by using an overly pale nude creates imbalance.
  3. 2. Consider the Occasion: When it comes to any makeup look, the lighting plays a crucial role in how you appear. And when it comes to nude, what looks good in warm indoor light may look washed out in natural lighting or harsh flashes and photos.
  4. 4. Oxidation of the Formulation: Some lipsticks tend to shift tones after application, becoming more orange over time. This distorts the final look, even if the shade looked acceptable just after application. This also necessitates identifying your undertone and matching the shade of your lipstick correctly.

Decoding the Nude Formula: How to Match Undertone and Depth

To find nude lipsticks that work, a simple two-step approach is all you need: determine your undertone and assess your skin depth.

Skin Undertones

  • Cool undertones: Pink, red, or bluish base
  • Warm undertone: Yellow, peach, or rich golden base
  • Neutral undertone: A mix of warm and cool
  • Olive undertone: Greenish or muted golden tone

Skin Depth Levels

  • Fair
  • Medium
  • Tan
  • Deep
  • Rich
Once you have determined both these things, you can easily understand your skin profile by combining the correct elements from both categories and choosing the cosmetics accordingly. You can have a cool deep skin profile or a warm medium profile. This can give you a clearer idea of which lipstick shades will suit you.
  • When buying a lipstick for fair skin with cool undertones, go for soft mauve nudes rather than pale beiges.
  • For warm, tan skin, avoid grey-toned nudes and opt for caramel-rose or golden peach tones.
  • Olive tones benefit from slight rosiness, which brightens the natural greenish tint of the skin.
  • Deep and rich skin tones glow in rich browns and espresso shades that enhance the depth without looking chalky.

Beauty tip: Use a swatch ladder for a better shade match. Swatch up to 5 nude lipstick shades along with your inner wrist or jawline, and pick the one that harmonises with your skin tone the best without fading in or standing out too harshly. For a more accurate representation, you can swatch the shades on your fingers and hold them up in front of your lips as well.

Quick Nude Lip Fixes to Prevent Looking Washed-Out

Already have a nude lipstick that washes you out, but not ready to throw it out yet? Then try these quick makeup tricks to revive it. These beauty tips will work exceptionally well if you are stuck with a pale lipstick that feels too pale or beige.

Correct with a liner

Use a lip line two tones deeper than the nude shade. The contrast between the two will add warmth, definition, and balance to the look.

Harmonise with a blush

You can correct the look by using a blush of a similar shade. This will help tie the lips to the cheeks and create a subtle unity in the makeup, making you look less washed out.

Layer with a stain base

Before applying the lipstick, first create a warm base with a pink or brown stain. Once that sets in, top it with the pale nude lipstick you have. This will warm up the shade and prevent flatnes.

Layer with a warm gloss

Rather than layering underneath, you can also choose to layer something on top of the lipstick. A warm, golden-hued gloss can help add warmth and a subtle lift to cool nudes.

Your Ideal Nude, Based on Skin Tone

Here is a curated list of some stunning Lakme nude lipsticks that flatter every skin tone. These can help reduce washout and enhance the natural beauty of your skin tone and your lips.

Fair to Light Skin Depth

Light to Medium Skin Depth

Medium to Tan Skin Depth

Tan to Deep Skin Depth

Deep to Rich Skin Depth

Last Check Before You Step Out

Before stepping out of the house, it is ideal to do a final check to ensure that your curated look doesn't wash you out. Here are a few ways to test your shade:

  • Try the lipstick in various lighting conditions, including indoor, natural, and flash lighting.
  • Hold a white paper next to your face for neutral contrast.
  • Take a selfie. The phone camera tends to exaggerate imbalance, making imperfections stand out more. This means that if the balance looks good in the selfie, you have a winning combination.

From Washout to Wow: Your Nude Lip Success Story

Finding nude lipsticks that work for you isn't about luck - it's all about understanding contrast, undertones, and skin depth. Once you decode your natural colouring and use beauty tips that highlight the natural tone of your lips, you will stop second-guessing your lipstick choices. Whether you need a peachy rose for fair skin or a berry-brown for deeper tones, the right lipstick shades can bring balance, definition, and warmth to your entire look.

However, if you are still unsure and want assistance in choosing the right nude for your face, then head to your nearest Lakme counter. Our experts will help you find the right shades that are perfect for you, under every lighting condition, and for every occasion. And if you don't want to make the effort to go out, then get instant help from Lakme's personalised AI Beauty Assistant, Lumi, who is ready to guide you through this maze of nude lipstick shades in an instant!