Failed Nudes

Get your head out of the gutter... this post is about LIPSTICK, ya crazy!

For years I've been on the hunt for the perfect nude lipstick. It seems like an easy thing, right? Just pick up a skin-colored lipstick and it should work. WRONG. Picking the perfect nude lipstick is very dependent on your skin tone, and being a mega-pale girl makes this task even harder than it should be. 

As I cleaned up my makeup stash a bit ago, I found evidence of my search for the perfect nude lipstick- and I promptly disposed of the evidence... but not before showing you my failed attempts. There have been many others, but these 4 stuck out to me, only because I thought I'd found "the one" when I purchased all of these - boy, was I wrong!

First up is a complete and utter failure of a lipstick for me. This is 112 from the Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate lipstick line. This has a semi-matte finish that is literally like applying a peachy concealer to my lips. I've tried, and this just does not work for me. I find the Rimmel Lasting Finish lipsticks to have a drying, uncomfortable texture on the lips, and the whole "dry foundation lips" look just isn't going to work. 

I talked about this lipstick before.... I'm referring to Revlon's Jungle Peach. I loved this when I saw it in the tube, and since it was part of a limited edition collection I decided I just had to have it. I honestly think it's one of THE worst looking lipsticks I've ever worn. The color and formula are fabulous, but on my skin it is so unflattering.

I so wanted this lipstick to work for me because I love the formula, but unfortunately NYX's Black Label Lipstick in India was another failure in my book. My skin is  very pale with a tendency to be pink, and so this light pinky nude just washes me right out. Again, the formula is super creamy and it's hydrating and comfortable on the lips, but it just doesn't look right.

Lastly is Revlon's Colorburst Lipstick in Soft Nude. This is another fabulous lipstick - it's creamy and hydrating but the color is far too brown for my skin tone. This would be great for someone with a darker complexion, but if you're pale like me - stay far away!

Despite all the failures I've had searching for my perfect nude lippie... I have found a combination of two products that work for me.

Say hello to my favorite nude lip combo...

When I need a nude lip color to complement a busy eye look, I reach for MAC's Well Loved. This is a beautiful creamy pink-nude that is so complimentary for those of us with fair skin. I purchased this at a Cosmetics Company Store on discount and it was so worth the mere $10 I paid!

(Forgive my hella pores - totally makeup-less in this pic) When I want to step up my nude lipstick game a notch, I layer the BonneBell LipLite in Strawberry Parfait over Well Loved. This gloss has often been dubbed a dupe for NARS' Turkish Delight, and honestly - it performs just like a high-end gloss! It is one of my all time faves, and it's perfect to layer over a variety of different lipsticks. 

What is your favorite nude lipstick? I'd love to know what works for you!