Although “nude” isn’t technically a color, it is still a term that is widely used in the beauty industry. It refers to a neutral, skin-toned make-up shade. For a long time, when it came time to shop for a nude lipstick shade, Black makeup lovers would find it difficult to find a suitable one. Now, thanks to Black beauty YouTubers like Nyme Tang, Ellarie, Jackie Aina, Shalom Blac, and Tammi Clarke, who are all credited for advocating for more shade inclusivity, beauty brands have stepped up their nude lipstick game, creating nude products that cover the diverse spectrum of natural skin tones. Black-owned makeup brands are becoming more popular as they provide a range of lipsticks that look stunning on highly melanated women. Here are our top picks of the best nude lipsticks for Black women.
Pat McGrath Labs MatteTrance Lipstick in 1995
The first makeup artist to receive a damehood, Mother Pat, has a wonderful range of rich matte lipsticks with long-lasting power. Her nude lipstick collection called “Skin Show” has 11 shades. One of the most popular is 1995, a warm light nude.
Mented Cosmetics Dope Taupe Matte Lipstick
You can’t mention nude lipsticks without Mented Cosmetics. Founders of Mented Cosmetics, KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson, met at Harvard Business School and wanted to redefine what “nude” meant for women of color. Together they created a wide range of nude lip products from a soft taupe to deep, rich chocolate. The shade “Dope Taupe” is a fan favorite. All lipsticks are vegan, paraben-free, non-toxic, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and proudly made in the USA.
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color in Unveil
This list wouldn’t be complete without a Fenty Beauty product. Singer, style icon, and beauty guru, Rihanna, created a universally flattering range of nude liquid lipsticks with the “Stunna Lip Paint” range. “Unveil” is the most popular color, a delicious chocolate brown shade that lasts for 12 hours.
MAC Cosmetics Satin Lipstick in Mocha
You can always rely on MAC for bold, bright colors, but make no mistake, this cosmetic giant has an extensive range of neutral shades. Its nude lipstick collection comes in shades such as “Mocha”, so it’s no wonder Black women have been relying on the brand for good nude lipsticks for years.
NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie Lipstick in Ruffle Trim
NYX Professional Makeup is well-known for its “Lip Lingerie” lipsticks, which includes nude shades for every skin tone hue. This luxurious and long-lasting liquid lipstick is infused with vitamin E and delivers a weightless plush matte finish. Each sultry shade will coat the curves of your lips with irresistibly creamy long-wearing lip color. The cinnamon pink-colored “Ruffle Trim” is a best seller in the range.
NARS Audacious Lipstick in Deborah
NARS is a cosmetic brand that is known to get it right every time and their “Audacious Lipstick” range is no different. These lipsticks are moisturizing, pigmented, long-lasting and the colors are gorgeous. Their most popular nude color is called “Deborah”, which is a velvety chocolate brown shade that serves as a great nude for all skin tones.
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Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies.
She’s an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
