The Perfect Nude Lipstick

Another confession: I am relatively new to the world of lipsticks. Before taking on the role as contributor here, I literally never wore lipstick! My go-to lip product was always lip balm with a hint of colour, or lip gloss. Since I’ve been blessed (or cursed?) with naturally plumper lips, I never saw the point of highlighting that feature of my face – eyes were always my go to face feature. Yet, the past few months have shown me the beauty of lipsticks and how they can be used appropriately for any situation. 

I haven’t been brave enough to venture into drastic colours (red, anyone?), so I’ve focused a lot of attention recently on nude lip colours. I’ve seen them on various people (i.e. celebrities, models, tutorials) and I’ve always been fascinated by the look, but never knew how to pull it off. My lips are naturally bright, how was it ever supposed to be masked by such a muted colour? Alas, I have since learned AND found a great nude lip colour that’s just perfect. 
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Credit: L’Oreal Paris

Product: L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in Golden Splendor

Price: $8.00 – $12.00 (CAN)

Available: L’Oreal Paris cosmetics are widely available in local drug and department stores

What It Claims: “…richer, creamier ingredients such as Omega 3 and Vitamin E; soft, smooth, and hydrated lips…”

Review: Great golden nude colour that works perfectly with a clear gloss. It’s sophisticated enough to be taken to the workplace and the weekend. The colour really lasts – I would say that I may have had to reapply once or twice during the day (usually after eating), and once during the night. If used correctly (see below), it truly doesn’t irritate your lips. On top of that, the smell of the lipstick is actually quite pleasant and sweet. 

How to Do Nude Lips: This was my issue initially. Nude lipstick always looked weird because my lips were naturally pink. Then I realized the concealer / foundation trick! Why something so simple had never occurred to me, I’ll never know, but now, it’s my go to trick:

Step One – Exfoliation of the Lips. If you don’t do this step, you might as well not wear lipstick because it’s going to look terrible (please, trust me on this one, I speak from experience). The best way I find is to scrub lightly with your toothbrush, removing dry skin from your lips.

Step Two – Light Lip Balm. I think most people skip this step and go straight to the next, but I think a small amount of lip balm goes a long way. It provides a bit of a barrier between your lips which might be slightly irritated after exfoliation, and your foundation.

Straight out of the shower!

Step Three – Foundation Coverage. Block out your lips natural colour with a light dusting of foundation / concealer. I use my everyday foundation, I personally think it works best. This will ensure the longevity and permanence of your nude colour.

Just enough foundation to even everything out

Step Four – Apply Lipstick.

A nice neutral, yet still needs a little shine!

Step Five – Lip Gloss. Personally, I always finish off with a little clear gloss, just to make the lips shiny and noticeable. I also think it’s a classy touch, and with nude lipsticks, it definitely helps to ensure the product doesn’t mute out / dull down your features. As well, I think the addition of the gloss adds a little permanency to the lipstick. 

Finished!

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