nude lipstick
However, for us Brown girls, finding the perfect nude lip color isn't always easy. With many mainstream brands failing to carry lip colors that work for our complexions, many a Brown girl (including myself) has found herself going the "do-it-yourself nude lip" route - having to improvise using a mix of lip liners, concealers, foundations and other products in order to create the perfect nude color. While DIY can be fun, finding the perfect nude lip color shouldn't have to be so hard.
In order to learn more about finding the perfect nude lip color, I spoke with some of my favorite makeup artists about the key to finding the perfect nude lip shade. Celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff, known for her work with Taraji P. Henson, likes to use nudes that are more pink or milk-chocolate. "Fenty has a shade called Uninvited, which is a gorgeous milk chocolate nude. Milani has a matte creme shade called Pretty, which is a stunning pink nude.
Atlanta-based makeup artist Noor, known for her debut product Skin Glass, explains that we need to be aware about the category of nudes. She explains, "You can have pinky nudes, peachy-nudes, and browny-nudes. Choosing the perfect one for your complexion based on your undertone and personal preference. Just don't choose anything that goes too chalky or otherwise you'll end up looking like a zombie! For tanner to deeper complexions, I love anything with a peachy undertone."
When all else fails, Noor has a pretty simple tip: "Look at the natural color of the lips and match that.If the lip has discoloration, then correct it with a warm-toned lip liner to even it out."
The secret to applying the perfect nude lip though is all about the liner. "I always use a chocolate lip liner on women of color and then I apply nude colors on top. I do this so the color doesn't read chalky or ashy in pictures and has a subtle gradient color," says Ashunta. If you want dimension, you can also try applying lip liner after applying the lipstick and then "blend the edges," adds Noor. Noor recommends NYX's Matte Lip Creme in the color London and Cork and Chestnut lip liners for darker toned women.
Armed with these tips, I went on my own personal nude lip color search, hitting my favorite Black woman-owned businesses first - and then venturing out to other brands with versatile nude lip color collections. I surveyed a wide range of contenders and came back with some of my favorites from the hunt. With the help of makeup artist Beneseth H., I was able to try and apply a wide range of products, including classic lipsticks, matte liquid lipsticks, and glosses.
Mented Cosmetics
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
Wearing "Berry Me" and "Mented #5" by Mented Cosmetics
The Lip Bar
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
Wearing "Savage" by The Lip Bar
Fenty Beauty
Wearing "I Quit" by Fenty Beauty
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
I Quit $18.00 (matte lipstick)
This matte lipstick was a bit tricky. When first applying, the color came out too faint for my liking. However, after layering the color more, I loved the nude mauve color on my skin. For added color amplification and shine, I added a top coat of Broadway's Vita Lip Mint Oil gloss.
Jay Jill Cosmetics
Wearing "Rum Cake" by Jay Jill Cosmetics
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
Rum Cake $16.00 (velvet lipstick)
If you're looking for a reddish-brown nude with lasting color power and character, Jay Jill's Rum Cake is a good pick. It was easy to apply and had a velvety lipstick finish. On my skin tone, I found that the red + brown wasn't too overpowering and still gave me a subtle finish.
NYX
Wearing "Praline" and "Tiramisu" by NYX
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
Praline & Tiramisu $5.00 (gloss)
You can't go wrong with these colors from NYX. I mixed the two together to get a natural pink + peach finish. These glosses are recommended staples for an everyday, basic makeup look.
Osmosis
Wearing "Skinny Dip" by Osmosis
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
Skinny Dip $25.00 (lipstick)
Throughout this process, I found that finding lip colors that match my natural lip color were very important. On its own, Osmosis' Skinny Dip was too bright. When paired with my MAC Chestnut liner, it gave me a super natural nude pink lip with sheer pink coverage. With this lipstick, less is more.
100% Pure
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
Wearing "Rum Nougat" by 100% Pure
AJ Crimson
Wearing "No Shade" by AJ Crimson
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
No Shade, $20.00 (lipstick)
I loved the creamy, natural, barely there brown finish on this lipstick. It was easy to apply, and the applicator tube was very stylish (an added plus). It matched my skin color almost identically, so I'd probably mix this with a pink gloss for added definition.
Prime Beauty
Wearing "Au Natural" by Prime Beauty
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
Au Natural, $15.00 (matte liquid lipstick)
I love learning about black woman-owned brands that weren't on my radar before. If you're looking for a brown liquid matte lipstick that has pink undertones, add this to your list. The formula also feels very moisturizing even after application, which is very important when wearing matte lip colors. If you are looking for something a bit brighter, try Prime Beauty Strip instead.
Thrive Causemetics
Wearing "Ruth" by Thrive Causemetics
Writer Rana Campbell / xoNecole
Ruth, $26.00 (gloss)
I'd never heard of this brand before searching for nudes for this project, but loved how the taupe tone paired with my skin. It can be worn alone or layered on top of another nude color for a shimmering effect. Here, I used my MAC Chestnut liner to help define and direct the powerful shine of the product towards the center of my lips.
Here are some of the biggest lessons I learned while finding the perfect nude lip color:
1. Finding what works for your undertone and natural lip color is important.
As someone who has natural two-toned lips, I generally gravitate towards brown nudes but really ended up loving the pink and mauve-hued nudes that matched my lip color. There is no one size fits all when it comes to nudes, so take the time to understand your unique color profile preferences. Thanks experts for this crucial tip!
2. It really is all about the application.
Take your time when applying nude lip colors. Make sure the product is applied smoothly. Don't be afraid to add layers for maximum color effect.
3. When in doubt, line it out.
MAC's Chestnut lip liner (or any dark brown liner) is the truth. Creating a gradual lip color gradient helped mute nude colors that may have seemed too bright for my skin color at first.
4. Don't be afraid to have fun and get creative.
I loved added gloss to amplify some of the shades. At the end of the day, there are no set rules when it comes to finding the right lip color. Experiment. Combine colors. Find what works for you.
Most Affordable: At $5.00, the NYX Butter glosses are great options when you need a simple nude color on the go, that you won't be too mad if you lose.
Best Color Range: Made especially for women of color, Mented Cosmetics offers a wide range of nudes from pinks and peaches to brown and berry-tones.
Brand I've Never Heard Of Before But Loved: Though pricery, Thrive Causemetics Ruth was the perfect nude, shimmery, yet colored gloss for my lips. It was easy to apply and created a beautiful gradient when paired with my Mac Chestnut lip liner.
Wildcard: Fenty's matte lipstick I Quit paired with a clear gloss gave me a mauve-nude that I surprisingly loved. It's something I wouldn't normally do, but from here on out, would love to try again.
What are some of your favorite nude lippies?
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It's no secret that women of color have always struggled to find our correct shade of nude, whether it's lingerie or shoes. The most frustrating experiences occur in the beauty department and if you live in a city that is predominantly white, then you are really out of luck. With that being said, you have to understand why we appreciate beauty bosses, KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson, for creating Mented Cosmetics.
Mented
KJ and Amanda not only saw a void in the market that they could fill with Mented, they also broke barriers while doing so. The two have recently been named the 15th and 16th women of color to raise $1 million for their business - a difficult feat for women, but especially for minority women of color. What's even more incredible is that the ladies have gone on to raise a whopping $3 million in funding, as recently announced by Forbes.
"There are lots of reasons venture capitalists back startups, and one that they may not love to admit is familiarity," KJ shared with xoNecole. "At the early stages of a company's life, you're betting just as much on the entrepreneur as the idea, and when that entrepreneur is familiar to you - whether because of their gender, race, educational background or another reason - it's easier to give them the benefit of the doubt. That said, raising capital is difficult no matter who you are, and I'm grateful that our investors were able to see and support the Mented vision."
Mented
The entrepreneurs are clearly making big moves for inclusion in the beauty industry, as well as for WOC in business. We decided to learn more about Amanda and KJ and see what their journey to making the vegan, nontoxic makeup brand Mented Cosmetics could teach us about bossing up.
Why Mented Was Intrinsic:
Amanda: KJ and I met in business school and became fast friends. Post-school we knew we wanted to work together, but we didn't have the idea yet. So with our full time jobs we'd meet periodically to talk through ideas. One night, when we were discussing our issues with beauty, I said, "I've been looking for the perfect nude lip for three years." KJ expressed that it'd been hard for her to find any makeup that she liked and that was our light bulb moment.
Mented
Two professional women with plenty of disposal income should not have a hard time finding beauty products, that's when we knew we had something.
Where It All Began:
KJ: To create a line for a wide spectrum of skin tones, you have to start with a wide spectrum of skin tones - and that's exactly what we did. When we began making the initial shades in our kitchens, we started with ourselves - in fact our top selling lipstick shades are our two favorites, Mented #5 and Dope Taupe - and from there we brought in women of every skin tone we could find to make sure they were all represented in the line.
Mented
The Meaning Behind Mented:
KJ: Amanda and I spent a very long time nailing down the name. Eventually we landed on a name neither of us loved but neither of us hated, and started using it as a placeholder. Throughout the process of developing our shades, we kept referring to how pigmented they would be compared to other brands. We said it over and over to each other, and eventually something clicked - I turned to Amanda and said "Wait...we keep talking about how pigmented our line will be...what if we call it 'Mented'?" - and the rest is history.
Mented
What Sets Mented Apart From Other Brands:
KJ: The thing I love about what we're doing, and how it differs so wildly from our predecessors, is our dedication to everyday beauty products for women of all skin tones.
I think one of my biggest frustrations in the past was the fact that I was only ever marketed to with bright, bold colors.
Mented
I love a bold look as much as the next girl, but like many women, my everyday beauty routine consists of nudes and neutrals. Our nude lipsticks, glosses, eyeshadows and nail polishes are the products you can wear from work to happy hour and everything in between, and we're immensely proud of that.
The Challenge Of Building A Beauty Empire As WOC:
Amanda: Every beauty entrepreneur will tell you that a constant challenge is getting noticed in such a crowded industry. We have to make sure that the message and authenticity of Mented is heard and felt within our target community. It's important that our community feels invested in the brand we're building and the products we're launching. We are redefining the norms of beauty and that is no easy feat.
Mented
Mented For Every Woman:
Amanda: At Mented, we firmly believe that every woman should be able to find herself in the world of beauty. That belief is the foundation for our product development and community building efforts. As a woman of color, I know the frustration and struggle of going into a beauty store and not finding a product that works.
I understand the pain of feeling other.
We wanted Mented to solve that issue for women everywhere.
For more Mented Cosmetics, follow the brand on Instagram. Also check out their website for some nude beauty finds.
