How comfortable do you feel stepping out in the buff? Get used to it, because this season going naked has never been hotter. Nude makeup is everywhere and we love the laid-back, healthy look. But watch out—finding the most flattering hue is trickier than you think. The nuances of your skintone can clash with various buff shades, making the attempt to look natural and glowing come off as dirty and dank. That’s why we went straight to the pros to find how which nude hues are right for you. Find your skintone, then grin and bare it.
7Fair Cool
“Go for light nude shades that have neutral to slightly cool undertones,” suggests Jo Levy, Director of Artistry & Education for Rouge Bunny Rouge, meaning stay away from anything too gold or yellow-based. A tawny blush, sheer rose lip color and a cool nude shadow with silver or pewter shimmer would look gorgeous on you.
Try:
Sonia Kashuk Pearlescence Longwear Crème Eyeshadow in Diamond, $9
Maybelline New York Face Studio Master Hi-Light In Nude, $10
Urban Decay Naked Flushed in Native, $30
6Fair Warm
“Look for nudes with more yellow, gold undertones,” advises celebrity makeup artist Joanna Schlip for Physician’s Formula. “Brown eyes look great with golds, blue and green eyes pop with copper,” she adds. Try sheer peach and coral lip colors and blushes, with hints of gold.
Try:
Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Blush in Starina, $28
Jane Iredale PurePressed Eye Shadow Triple in Golden Girl, $28
L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Extraordinaire Liquid Lipcolour in Nude Ballet, $10
5Medium Cool
“Slightly neutral to cool champagnes and mauves look best on medium cool skintones,” says Levy. Play with silver or purple-grey shadows, mauve rose lipsticks, and blue-based pink blushes.
Try:
Lancome Lip Lover in 314 Casse Noisette, $23
Revlon Highlighting Palette in Rose Glow, $11
Aerin Kaleidolight Palette, $70
4Medium Golden
“Medium golden tones can really wear anything! I love gold, rose gold and copper,” says Schlip. Warm metallic eye shadows like copper and gold, rich caramel or bronzy rose lip colors and bronze or terracotta blush with golden undertones are calling your name.
Try:
Physician’s Formula Nude Wear Glowing Nude Bronzer, $15
Aveda Petal Essence Single Eye Color in Burnished Bronze, $14
Too Faced Melted Liquefied Long Wear Lipstick in Nude, $21
3Olive
“Neutral to warm tones look best on olive skin. Steer clear of shades that are too light, such as white shimmers or mattes,” advises Levy. Pearlescent gold and copper eyeshadows, peach and medium nude beige lipsticks, and honey-hued shades of apricot blush would be a perfect match.
Try:
Hourglass Femme Nude Lip Stylo in No. 5 Shimmering Nude Peach, $30
Laura Mercier Sheer Crème Color in Golden Pink, $35
Topshop Glow Stick In Spotlight, $20
2Dark Cool
“Look for red-based burgundies and coppers to flatter dark, cool skintones,” says Schlip. Eyes would sparkle in dark brown-based copper and pewter shadows. Try rich mocha and chocolate plum lipsticks and berry bronze blushes.
Try:
Black Opal Color Splurge Luxe Creme Lipstick in Bon Bon, $8
Mary Kay Bronzing Powder in Medium Deep, $18
1Dark Warm
“Warm shades of mahogany or deep, nude amber toned shimmer look great on dark skin with warm undertones,” says Levy. Go for matte chocolate or shimmery mahogany eyeshadows. Coffee-hued nude lipstick with a shimmer or satin finish looks natural and luxe. Rose gold blush will make your skin glow, or sweep a deep bronze shimmer along the high parts of your cheekbones.
Try:
Paula’s Choice The Nude Mattes Eye Shadow Palette, $40
Essence Sun Club All-in-One Bronzing Highlighter in Sun Glow, $5
Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Kiss & Blush Lips & Cheeks in Mocha Garconne, $40
