…the seasonal way to don a nude
I would love to be a Gwen Stefani-type of lass. You know those who wear a red lip EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. The ladies who wear a blue-red on their lips, curl their eyelashes and leave it there. I mean, how darn chic do you want to be? I had a period a few years back where I dabbled in bolds and I still do on the odd occasion, but I feel like I’ve come to terms with the fact that my happy place in the lipstick department sits firmly on the nude end of the spectrum. If I’m honest I feel like I eat too many greasy foods to deal with the upkeep of wearing a red, plus my mouth is kinda wonky and I talk out of one side so when I draw on my lip line in a ‘HELLO LOOK AT ME!’ colour it amplifies my quirk. It’s not ever a look that I feel 100% comfortable in and that’s cool; me and nudes – we have a steady thing going on.
In the past I’ve reached a clear balm on the daily, but I’ve found myself grabbing a certain type of shade recently, even on days where I’ve kept the makeup to a minimum. I’d describe it as a ‘tawny, peach nude’. It’s not brown, nor is it a bright peach – more just a nude with an orange undertone and it’s the perfect colour for this time of year. Here are my favourites for all finishes and all price points…
If you’re looking for a high-street option… Bourjois Rouge Fabuleux Lipstick in Abracadabiege. I mentioned this recently in a video that was part of a piece of work that I’ve done for them, but this shade in particular sits well in this shade line-up. It packs a big punch in the pigment department, but imparts a satin finish on the lips; neither looking matte nor glossy when it’s applied. A good everyday option and it gets a point for the helpful packaging that indicates the colour thanks to the coordinated bullet. A small detail that makes it very easy to grab in the morning when it’s 6am and you’re not sure what planet you’re on.
If you’re not usually a lipstick wearer… Glossier Generation G in Cake. I’ve been using this colour on-off for the past two years and it’s still a favourite. The texture is bizarre, almost like a dry balm. Don’t expect sheen here, but instead prepare yourself for a (very!) light dusting of colour and a waxy finish. It makes it a great option for those who aren’t mad on the idea of lipstick because it really does feel like you’re wearing nothing on your lips. When swatched it’s one of the paler options, but because it’s so sheer it’s a good option whatever your natural lip colour and will look a bit different on everyone.
If you’re looking for something ‘nude’ nude… MAC Lipstick in Jamie Genevieve. I’m having a real MAC lipstick revival at the moment and I couldn’t be more chuffed for my mate Jamie, who recently collaborated with them on this FAB nude. At its core it’s a beige with a hefty dose of peach. It’s by far the palest lip colour I own, but I’ve surprised myself by how much I’ve worn it and often find myself pairing it with a lip liner close to my natural lip shade to beef out my non-existent pout a bit. It’s a satin finish too so I find that it works well blotted into the lips a little and worked in for a slightly blurred effect.
If you’re looking for a matte formula (and my favourite)… MAC Lipstick in Yash. THIS IS MY FAVOURITE! Often when I find myself compiling these round-ups there is usually one product that sparks my interest and the rest of the post follows and this is the product that did exactly that this time round. When I’ve swatched it next to all the other shades mentioned here, it’s the pinkest of the bunch – but don’t be fooled – this definitely looks like a straight-up peach when applied to the lips (it’s the one I’m wearing in the photo above). It’s a matte finish so requires some intense lip balm application pre-bedtime each night, but I cannot get enough of the colour. My lips, but peachier. Kind of.
If you’re looking for one that you don’t need a mirror to apply… CHANEL Le Rouge Crayon de Couleur in Au Naturel. Everything else that I’ve mentioned here comes off pretty matte on the lips which isn’t always a bad thing because they tend to last well, however sometimes you might want a bit of sheen, eh? In that case, this one is your guy. It’s more of a rusty, deeper shade than the rest so if you like something that’s got a bit more oomph in it, instead of being so nude then this is a shade to look into. I also adore the pencil format. It makes it SO easy to apply, meaning you can apply it without a mirror and blend it in with your fingers for a light finish, or put your full concentration into it and use it as a liner/colour combo.
If you’re looking for an everyday nude (that also works well on a wedding day)… CHANEL Rouge Coco Lipstick in Adrienne. This is the lipstick that I wore on my wedding day, so it will always have a special place in my heart. It feel like it’s perhaps more of a brown than a peach-based nude, but on my lips it comes off as nice blend of pink, brown and peach – it’s a bit of everything, it goes with everything and therefore it’s my ultimate pick for everyday. It’s also got a bit more hydration in than other ones I’ve mentioned so cat butt-hole lips aren’t so much of a problem here. It keeps things looking nice and peachy. You see what I did there?
Photos by Emma Croman
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