If you want to give the illusion of fuller lips, grab a color that is one shade darker than your natural lip color to enhance volume and definition. He likes to swipe the lower lip straight from the bullet, then press the lips together for a soft application. The swipe-and-go nude lip: “Nude lip colors are the easiest to apply - think of them as your no-mirror makeup,” Reagan says. “I think it makes the appearance more natural.” “I don’t mind the imperfection of smudging outside the lines,” she says. And whatever formula is left on them, she dabs onto her cheeks. The natural nude lip: Goldberg prefers the natural look, choosing to apply the lipstick with her fingers. Depending on the look you’re going for, though, below are some suggestions. The beauty of a nude lipstick is that there’s no wrong way to apply it. Instead, she says she likes to alter tones, textures and hues of nude lipsticks based on her current mood. Or, as with French, the process doesn’t even have to be that specific. “For example, if you’re wearing a warm, coral blush, you might want to go with a nude that has more of a peach undertone instead of a brown undertone,” she says. When shopping for the best lipstick, you can also follow DeRoest’s lead and play with undertones depending on your makeup look that day. Some lips have two tones, notes Reagan, and in that case, it’s up to the individual, he says, whether they want to soften the contrast or enhance it using the deeper tone as a guide. When selecting the right nude lipstick color for her clients, she usually tries to match their natural lip color exactly to the lipstick shade or go slightly lighter or darker. To find which nude hue works best for you, Goldberg suggests comparing each shade to the center of your lips where natural pigment is most prevalent. “Whether that be a pale nude or an enhancing nude, it’s all relative to your natural lip tone.” “Choosing a hue all depends on the look you’re trying to achieve,” he adds. Since nude lipstick shades have varying undertones, they can “range from light to deep in color,” says Marc Reagan, global director of education, artistry and events at Hourglass Cosmetics. What to consider to find your perfect nude lipstick “Nude Gloss” – Clear or milky lip gloss that gives lips shine, rather than color.
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