File this under “Things Every Woman Should Own.” A nude lipstick is as basic a must-have as fancy lingerie, a beautiful fragrance or a killer pair of gigantic black sunglasses. Literally every woman needs one because it’s the antidote to a va-va-voom red—a way to look polished and chic but natural and understated at the same time. While nudes used to be reserved for daytime looks, Kim Kardashian and a slew of other celebs have proven that a face full of monochromatic makeup can work just as well for evening.
So we took it upon ourselves to dig through the troves of nude lipsticks, glosses, pencils and crayons out there to discern which ones really are the best of the best. And we’ve listed them for you below. Starting at just six bucks, and in a variety of shades (ranging from barely there to blushy blush), you’ll surely find the right fit for your complexion.
Lipstick Queen Nothing But the Nudes Lipstick
BUY FROM: Birchbox, $24
Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Olivia
BUY FROM: Sephora, $22
Butter London Plush Rush in Sparkling Rose
BUY FROM: Nordstrom, $20
Laura Geller Shine Stick in Polished Peach
BUY FROM: Nordstrom,
Loreal Paris Color Riche in Matte-sterpiece
BUY FROM: Target, $5.99
Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in Crush
BUY FROM: Sephora, $20
MAC Nude Lipstick in Kinda Sexy
BUY FROM: Nordstrom, $17.50
Benefit Punch Pop Liquid Lip Color in Sugar Cookie
BUY FROM: Benefit, $18
Beauty Pie Shine Up Lip Color Balm
BUY FROM: Beauty Pie, $17
Urban Decay Vice Liquid Lipstick in Backtalk
BUY FROM: Sephora, $18
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty The Expert Lip Color in Sireedan
BUY FROM: Nordstrom, $35
Jouer High Pigment Lip Gloss in Sunset
BUY FROM: Birchbox, $17
Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm in Cinn-full
BUY FROM: Sephora, $26
Smith & Cult Shining Lip Lacquer in Life in Photographs
BUY FROM: Birchbox, $22
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Lipstick in Bitch Perfect
BUY FROM: Nordstorm, $34
Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color in Nude Flush
BUY FROM: Target, $6.99
Yves Saint Laurent Dessin Des Levres Lip Liner Pencil in 70 Le Nu
BUY FROM: Nordstrom, $30