Despite that we’re in the year 2020, not everyone grasps the idea that nude lipstick (and the term “nude”) reads differently for everyone. For a long time (in beauty and in fashion), “nude” was defined by European beauty standards — pale, tan, and/or light peach. But if you’re Black or brown, “nude” has an entirely different meaning.
Nude Lipstick Isn’t JUST peach, my gyal
Nude has been referred to as an ashy light Caucasian flesh-toned shade. But if you’re not someone with Caucasian lips, then you’ll just look like Dave Chapelle as Tyrone Biggums. Period.
Black and Brown Girl-Friendly Nudes Can Be Hard To Come By
In my experience as a shopper, the lipsticks that I’ve come across have been colorful and pigmented, which I love. But realistically, how often does anyone plan to wear the bold rich reds, pinks, and vibrant purples in their day-to-day-to-day-day? Probably not much.
But a multitude of nudes are important because you can dress them up or mute them down with the right one. Black and Brown people-friendly nudes are rich and warm in color but aren’t necessarily that ’90s drugstore shiny deep brown shade we stole from our mothers’ makeup bags (You know the one).
UOMA Beauty Carries some of my favorite nudes for Deep Brown Skin
Uoma Beauty is a Nigerian woman-owned makeup brand that launched in early May of this year. However, the brand is already shattering all expectations (at least for me) as to what inclusive shades should be.
When I spoke with Uoma Beauty founder Sharon Chuter for Bustle prior to the launch, she explained that inclusivity goes beyond foundation and concealer matches.
When lipstick can be made, are we challenging ourselves and going ‘Is that pigmented enough for a woman who has dark brown lips, not pink lips?’ to actually put on and still get the shade you intended that shade to be?
Inclusivity is really thinking about the person behind it [the makeup].
Overall, there are a lot of nude shades that look amazing on brown lips, but nude lipstick doesn’t necessarily have to be the standard dark brown (damn near black) hue.
After sifting through all of my lip products (literally every shade), I found a few nude lippies that are my absolute loves. And yes, there are lip swatches!
Peep all my nude faves for Brown skin down below!
Matte Nude Lipsticks
Uoma Beauty Badass Icon Matte Lipstick in Angela ($24)
in Tracy ($24)
in Nina ($24) *Okay, so Nina is more of a berry shade, but who ‘gon check me, boo?
Although this entire section is dedicated to Uoma’s lipsticks, I have to admit the formula is one of the most hydrating matte lipsticks I’ve ever come across. This one works wonders for me all day long. Even post-chow down.
Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in Staycation ($25) *with the Colourpop BFF#3 liner* ($6)
Huda Beauty Bullet Lipstick in Anniversary *with the Colourpop BFF#3 liner* ($25)
Nude Liquid Lipstick
Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Unveil (Lippie Tip: Try Stunna Lip Paint in Unbutton in the center) ($24)
Crystal Hearts Cosmetics Liquid Matte Lipstick in Brandie ($16)
NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede in Downtown Beauty ($7)
Nude Glosses
NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss In Ginger Snap ($5)
UOMA Beauty Boss Gloss In Passion ($22)
Glossier Lip Gloss ($14) *Clear but soooooo glossy*
Too Faced Rich & Dazzling High-Shine Sparkling Lip Gloss in Social Butterfly (that’s the shade Jordyn Woods made, ya’ll)
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow ($18)
Were there any poppin lippies that I missed? Let me know what Black & brown girl-friendly nudes I’m sleeping on in the comments, sis.
