If you're a brown person who has bought a nude lipstick online, you would know that the amount of times you end up getting a shade that washes out your skin tone is just too high. Especially when we're shopping from Euro-centric brands, as the skin tones they (mostly) cater to are different, and mostly cooler-toned. Finding a good nude lipstick for Indian skin tones that won't have this effect is a task. And given that nude lipsticks are the perfect choice for everyday use, a lot of us run into this issue. But from all skin tones that we call 'Indian' here are the best, tried and tested, vetted, and loved nude lipsticks that suits us brown girls.
10 Best Nude Lipsticks That Don't Wash Out Melanated, Indian Skin
How To Find The Perfect Nude Lipstick Shade?
1. One trick that we have developed is that while choosing your perfect nude, one must always swatch in on the inside of the palm or inside of your fingers rather than the outside, as the texture is similar to the lips, with all the lines and creases.
2. Never check your shade on the back of your hand as the undertones of the area are not similar to your lips or face, inside the palm is always the better choice.
3. If you have dual-toned lips, swatching on the side of your fingers is best as that area also tends to be dual-toned and close to tone of one's face. If you have highly melanated skin, swatching on the back of your finger is also a good idea (but never the back of your palm).
4. Also, always try to check the shade in good lighting so you know what you are getting.
5. Other than the shade, your lipsticks should have a lasting formula that enriches the lips with ingredients like jojoba oil and vitamin E, with a creamy, non-drying feel that glides on the lips, and potentially lasts you all day long.
LoveChild Masaba - Clear The Lane
₹900
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Mad-Matte liquid lipsticks by Masaba Gupta have been a game changer ever since they stepped in, and it's safe to that we are huge fans. They are transfer-proof, hydrating, long-lasting, lightweight, and velvety-smooth on the lips, and their shades are meant for Indian skin tones. Each lipstick is packed with macadamia oil, squalene, and marula oil, and the packaging is super fun too. Our favourite from the range is the shade 'Clear the Lane'; it's the perfect dark nude that looks stunning and is perfect to wear to work, giving you a gorgeous, bold look.
Maybelline New York - East Village Rose
₹329
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Maybelline beats everyone in the game when it comes to good products and even better pricing. Their sensational mattes are truly sensational and come in over 20 shades. The pigmentation of these lipsticks is supreme, and they glide on as smoothly as Taylor Swift added Travis' name to the 'Karma' lyrics. The shade East Village Rose is a perfect mauve nude that is beautiful as an everyday shade, and greatly compliments the deep Indian skin tone.
Kay Beauty - Thriller
₹999
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Kay Beauty exceeded everyone's expectations with their consistent high quality and great shade range. This brand is growing and reaching for milestones at a steady pace, and we really like their Matte Drama Long Stay Lipsticks. They do not smudge or budge from your lips, and they have a luxurious finish with a velvety texture. The formulation consists of grapeseed oil and raspberry, which nourish and hydrate your lips and are truly one of the best matte lipsticks in the game. The shade 'Thriller' is a perfect nude that looks like your natural lips, but better.
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution - Super Fabulous
₹3350
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For people who have the budget to consume the finer things, Charlotte Tilbury needs no introduction. The brand is an all-rounder with great concealers, foundations, and palettes and is the creator of one of the greatest nude lipsticks of all time, 'Pillow Talk'. It is a gorgeous nude that is lasting, buildable, and enriched with essential oils and triglycerides. And though we love and support the hype of the shade, their matte revolution range, especially the shade 'Super Fabulous', deserves as much spotlight. It is stunning shade, leaving luminous, cashmere-soft lips that also hydrate the lips. It is the most gorgeous nude, with a crimson undertone that can elevate any makeup routine.
Nykaa Matte to Last! - Chai 18
₹675
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Those who remember the initial days of the Nykaa journey will know their transfer-proof matte lipstick range with the most iconic names. This range has 25 shades, and their 'Chai 18', a staple nude with the most exclusive brown undertone, especially competes with any fall outfit. They will last you all day long and glide very easily due to their applicator wand.
Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 245 Seeker
₹699
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Another favourite from Maybelline is their matte ink liquid lipsticks, with over 15 shades covering everything from bright pinks to dark browns. The shade '245 Seeker' is for those times when you are not sure as to what lipstick to complete your look with, as this one can compliment a range of aesthetics and is smudge-proof, transfer-proof, will last you for a good chunk of the day.
Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color - Italian Rose
₹2450
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Bobbi Brown products are a luxury, and there is no denying that, but honestly, a luxury that's absolutely worth it. Their 'Lip Crushed' collection has the most gorgeous shades, especially some browns, that can make any lipstick fanatic fall in love. But the nude 'Italian Rose' with a satin-matte finish, containing cranberry, raspberry, and blueberry extracts, glides like butter and gives a balmy-plumped effect with the most hydrated-looking lips ever. If you have been meaning to invest in one staple matte nude, then this definitely is worth every penny.
SUGAR Air Kiss Powder Lipstick - Caramel Souffle
₹499
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Sugar's products last, and we can blindly bet on that. Their products are perfect for everyday hustlers who look for extra longevity in their products. This range of theirs is a little different also, as the powder formula turns into a silky-matte finish and gives your lips the ultimate smudge-proof, transfer-proof, water-resistant, and super pigmented and hydrating colour that will stay through your coffee meetings and board lunches. 'Caramel Souffle' is the perfect nude and so light-weight that you won't even know that you are wearing something on your lips.
Faces Canada Comfy Matte Liquid Lipstick - Note To Self
₹425
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We have all heard about the greatness of their mascara, but there lipsticks are also something you should not sleep on. Enriched with almond oil and Vitamin E, it has a non-drying effect that lasts up to 10 hours and will give you the most pigmented colour and a stunning matte finish. 'Note To Self' is a colour that you will keep coming back to and will be a staple of your winter ensemble, that's for sure.
Lakme Forever Matte Liquid Lip Color - Nude Dream
₹295
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Lakme is such a household brand, used by our mothers and grandmothers, and hey, we are right in line. It is affordable, works well, and is perfect for someone who is just starting to build their makeup collection. Their forever matte liquid colour has over 45 shades, with all your pinks, reds, browns, and well-perfect nudes. The shade 'Nude Dream' is the perfect everyday shade, highly pigmented and lightweight on the lips. We highly recommend it for all our college girls out there.
