Lipstick is a tricky beauty subject to master. It’s taken us both 32 years to get to grip with it but we promise, there’s nothing like it for making you look instantly put together and like you’ve taken 20 minutes over your appearance – when in reality it’s taken you 2 minutes.
Gemma is now completely loyal to her one true lipstick love, Smashbox Always On in Bawse but when it comes to summer, I like something that’s less of a statement. That’s where nude lips come in. Finding the perfect nude lip is like winning the lottery – totally life changing.
There are a few tricks to finding the perfect nude lipstick though:
-Go for a shade that is ever so slightly darker than your skin tone. This stops you from looking washed out. As a general rule of thumb, nude lipstick should be more like your natural lip colour.
– Too light and you start to resemble a corpse. Too dark, and you’re inadvertently channelling the 90s brown lip. Brown-based lipsticks (what you’d think of as typically nudey, caramel tones) don’t suit everyone, whereas a touch of pink is universally flattering.
-For fair skin, soft, dusty pinks and rosy-beiges will give you some much needed warmth, while sheer formulas will keep things looking natural. Olive complexions are best matched to caramel tones and darker skin tones are flattered by toffee hues and a swipe of metallic, bronzy brown.
-A matte finish can look drying and flat when it comes to nudes, a sheeny finish makes lips look naturally plumper and can be easier to wear.
-And to make sure that it lasts all day? Applying lip liner to the entire lip then applying lipstick, blotting and applying again is a good tactic for maximum lipstick duration. I’ve picked two incredible lip liners that suit ALL lip shades and help your lipstick last below.
THE PERFECT NUDE LIP KIT (from £5)
1 // Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Sheer Lipstick in Nuit and Jour:a gorgeous neutral with a hint of pink that feels really silky and smooth upon application, almost like a tinted lip balm. Like my lips but better.
2 // Topshop Lipstick in Mink: this mocha-toned brown has a slight pinky undertone which helps to create the illusion of fuller lips on darker complexions
3 // SAM IS WEARING: Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Bitch Perfect: for a light-to-medium nude with hints of peachy pink and warm undertones, Bitch Perfect is your go-to.
4 // Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk: Once you try this velvety-soft lip pencil you’ll never go back. Use beneath lipstick or use alone to redefine, reshape or enhance your own natural lip line in the subtlest, most natural of ways. I like to use it alone with a slick of lip balm.
5 // Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy in Desirable: enough pink to avoid looking sickly, it’s creamy and balmy and feels wonderful on the lips.
6 // Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Colour in Raisin: this would be ideal for darker complexions looking to add a hint of colour to their look without going too over-the-top.
7 // GEMMA IS WEARING:Rimmel London’s Nude Collection by Kate Moss in 43: they’re the best budget nude lipsticks around.
8 // Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Boy: a total classic and in every beauty editors make-up bag.
