'Out of over 100 lipsticks, these 16 are the best neutral shades.'

As a self-confessed nude lip aficionado, I've probably swatched and tried 100 plus lip shades over the years — all to find the perfect nude lippy. Girl, yes, it's THAT serious. I've really been through them all. 

From pink shades that look ashy to nudes that totally washed me out — it’s been a journey, but worth it because now I come armed with some of the best nude lipsticks, glosses, liners, and hacks for us darker-skinned girlies.

Watch: How to keep lipstick on your face. Post continues below.

So, if you've ever felt like beauty brands missed the memo on creating nude lip shades for us melanated babes or are simply on the hunt for the crème de la crème of neutral lip shades, I've got you, boo! 

Let's get into it!

The best lip liner for dark skin tones.

Hold up, though, before we dive into it, I can't forget the power of lip liners — they'll be your secret weapon when it comes to achieving that flawless neutral lip look. They take the nude lip shade match game to a whole 'other level. 

Gone are the struggles of nude shades not quite matching your lip colour. With an amazing lip liner in hand, you can effortlessly customise your lip shade to make it the perfect match for your skin tone. 

Also, if you're like me and deal with two-toned lips where the upper and lower lips have slightly different shades — lip liners will be your new BFF.

Holy Grail: M.A.C Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Chestnut, $37.

Image: MAC Cosmetics/Canva.

Every darker skin girl and her mum swears by 'Chestnut' lip liner. She’s the perfect brown shade that compliments a wide variety of lip shades. 

Dupe: Morphe Colour Lip Pencil in Trendsetter, $6.

Image: Morphe/Canva.

This dark chocolate shade by Morphe is very similar to the M.A.C Cosmetics shade 'Chestnut'. It’s super pigmented with a creamy, smooth-glide formula. An absolute steal if you ask me! 

Liquid: Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in 26 Pretty Auburn, $22. 

Image: Sephora/Canva.

Using lip stains and lip liners has been my latest obsession. Not only do they not budge, even after smashing a bowl of carbonara, but this 'Pretty Auburn' shade is a fabulously rich shade with a hint of red and brown. 

For an everyday vibe, line your lips with this and throw on a gloss or apply it all over the lip for a bold neutral statement.

The best lipsticks for dark skin tones.

Matte: Fenty Beauty Icon Semi-Matte Lipstick in 06 Scholar Sista, $34.

Image: Fenty Beauty/Canva.

This shade is undeniably stunning — described as a deep, sultry aubergine with subtle hints of plum and berry undertones, 'Scholar Sista' works on warm, neutral and cool undertones. If you try out this shade, don't forget to pair it with the matching lipstick case. 

Gloss: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Lip Luminiser + Plumper in 04 Hot Chocolit Heat, $40.

Image: Fenty Beauty/Canva.

This shade and formula are... chef's kiss! The texture is so creamy and lush, making it a dream to apply. Not to mention it works wonders for two-toned lips. When I’m feeling lazy, I'll just grab my favourite brown lip liner, outline my lips, and then swipe this beauty all over. 

Lipstick: Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Strong & Creative, $35.

Image: Rare Beauty/Canva.

Using 'Strong' on the outside of the lips in place of a lip liner and 'Creative' in the centre is a match made in lip heaven — I just can't get enough of it, and I don't think you will be able to either! The creamy formula glides effortlessly onto the lips, making it a breeze to blend the shades together by simply rubbing your lips. 

It's a quick, fool-proof technique, especially on those busy work mornings. And when I'm not in a matte mood, I'll add a touch of Fenty's Gloss Bomb Heat Lip Luminiser Plumper in '03 Fenty Glow Heat.'

Gloss: NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss - Ginger Snap, $12.

Image: Beauty Bay/Canva.

I think NYX has truly nailed it when it comes to catering to darker-skinned gals. They have nude shades for days, but 'Ginger Snap' has had my heart ever since I first tried it back when I was in uni. This shade is the epitome of perfection, effortlessly complementing tons of lip liners and lipsticks. I also adore how it wears worn alone. 

Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk Original, $49.

Image: Mecca/Canva.

Charlotte Tilbury's 'Pillow Talk', despite being described as a dusty-pink shade, is far from ‘dusty’. Trust me, you’ll want to give this one a try. Brighter shades can be embraced by us with darker skin tones, it’s all about finding the right technique to make them compliment your natural lip tone. 

To make it work, simply dab this shade in the centre of your lips and pair it with a darker lip liner on the outside. The result? Perfection.

Gloss: M.AC Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick in Simulation, $37.

Image: Adore Beauty/Canva.

This plumping gloss stick has quickly become my go-to as of late. With just a few light taps on the lips, you get this luscious wet look with a subtle brown shade that’s super flattering. If you love glossy, juicy vibes — this is the one for you.

Liquid Lipstick: Anastasia Beverly Hills in Stripped, $34.

Image: Mecca/Canva

Anastasia Beverly Hills 'Stripped' is an essential neutral beige nude that belongs in every dark-skin girl’s makeup collection. It’s a soft peachy undertone that adds a touch of warmth to the lips. 

Gloss: Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer in Rosewood Shine, $48.

Image: Huas Laboratories/Canva

Mauve shades never disappoint on darker skin tones. It’s such a versatile colour, because of the blend of brown and pink hues — which beautifully complement the natural tones found in our lips. 

Lipstick: L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Original Satin Lipstick 106 Le Beige,  $34.49.

Image: Chemist Warehouse/Canva

This one is a showstopper! It's so rich and feels luxurious on the lips. My fave way to wear this shade is by applying it on the outside part of my lips and then adding a pink nude shade in the centre. This technique ensures I don’t look washed out. It adds depth and contrast to my lips, creating a perfect balance between the rich shade and the soft pink nude hue.

Lipstick: M.A.C Amplified Lipstick in Cosmo, $37.

Image: Mecca/Canva.

'Cosmo', is a lip colour that truly ticks all the boxes. It's incredibly versatile and feels like a dream on the lips — the perfect pick, especially if you're new to blending your lip shades. The shade itself is a warm-toned rosy pink with delicate hints of brown. 

The touch of brown adds depth and dimension to the colour, so you won’t have to worry about any ashiness. Remember, lip liner is your secret weapon when applying shades like this. 

Lipstick: Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipstick in First Kiss, $38.

Image: Sephora

Another lush warm-toned rosy mauve that I adore. On a chocolatey skin tone, it serves up a lovely pinky shade, while deeper tones get the pretty touch of a terracotta shade. During the winter months, I find myself reaching for it time and time again. 

Gloss: Juvia’s Place Lipgloss in Barely There, $21.

Image: Juvia/Canva

A neutral gloss is essential, especially for two-toned lips. It subtly enhances the natural beauty of your lips with a pretty glossy finish. The sheer formula is perfect for achieving a soft and natural look. 

Lipstick: YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in 122 Burnt Zellige, $65.

Image: Bon Bon Cosmetics/Canva

The rich, warm tones in this shade are similar to the natural undertones found in deeper skin lip tones. Not all nudes are created equal, and sometimes, deep and rich shades like this work wonders when you want an effortless, natural, everyday look.

Have you tried any of the above products? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Feature image: Supplied.

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