Skip navigation! Story from Beauty. The first time I tried on a pair of "flesh toned" stockings from my local drugstore before church, I was sorely disappointed. Instead of matching my dark brown legs, I looked down to see my limbs covered in a wildly unflattering beige material. That's my experience with "nudes" in a nutshell. For years, whenever I saw a new line of nude lipsticks or glosses from my favorite brands, I'd keep browsing, not wanting to relive my nylon nightmare. Of course, I'm not alone. Thankfully, things are rapidly changing: Fashion and beauty brands are realizing that nudes aren't a one-size-fits-all concept, offering more options for more complexions. But those who are still hesitant — especially those that fall on either side of the complexion spectrum —should rest easy, because picking out the right nude from modern options is as simple as looking in the mirror. The right nude should make you look fresh, not dull.


The Tried-and-True MAC Lipsticks That Black Women Bank On


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The 'your skin but better' concept of nudes is one loved by many, I mean, who doesn't love a good nude? Whether it's a nude lipstick, purse, bag or even eye shadow, we love nudes but they tend to be a 'one shade for all' affair. A unique, but highly pigmented lip gloss. Sepia is a warm reddish brown, perfect for everyday wear or a last minute nude lip for a night out. If you love lip glosses you'll love this shade and formula. A nude highlighter? A highlighter which gives a 'your skin but better' finish without the obvious shine of a highlight.
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Despite the consistent swarm of product launches on our Instagram feeds, one thing that stands the test of time is a shade that makes you feel like you can take on the world, especially for us brown girls. For many, our intro to the best lipstick for our skin tone was through brands like Clinique and stores like MAC. Not only did they offer a variety of foundations and concealers that made it easier to find our match long before the days of Fenty and Covergirl. They also had it easy to discover flattering lip shades for every type of mood. Despite whatever societal norms exist in beauty, there truly are no rules to who can wear what when it comes to makeup.
I distinctly remember being a preteen and perusing the drugstore beauty aisle with my mom. My love for makeup started beyond my preteen years with products like royal-blue mascara and jet-black eyeliner. But at one point in my youth, I got lovestruck by lipstick and felt the urge to own one in every shade.