There’s nothing quite like the subtlety and sophistication of the perfect nude lip. Not only does it play up your eyes, it makes thin or irregular lips seem plumper. But finding the right shade is no easy feat, and too often “nude” implied a very narrow range of skin colour. Here is a roundup of our top picks.

Cheekbone Beauty
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Cheekbone Beauty Kéyah Nude Lipstick
Cheekbone Beauty is not only Indigenous-owned and made in Canada, it includes biodegradable packaging (the first step in its goal to be the first carbon-neutral beauty brand). Bonus: their products like this lipstick, all have meaningful and thought-provoking names like Kéyah or KEE YAH, meaning land or earth in Dine Bizaad or Navajo Language.
Kéyah Nude Lipstick, $32
Kéyah Nude Lipstick, $32

Makeup for Melanin Girls
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Makeup for Melanin Girls Naked Liquid Lipstick
A line focusing on diversity, MFMG’s Naked lipstick is a peachy-nude color formulated with shea butter that you can wear with or without a liner. A color that will fit you right the first time. You also won’t find any of the typical nasties, including parabens, triclosan or formaldehyde.
Naked Liquid Lipstick, $14
Naked Liquid Lipstick, $14

Mented Cosmetics
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Mented Semi-Matte Dark Knight Dark Chocolate Shade
Mented got its start in response to a lack of representation in neutral, nude lips. Seeing a gap in the marketplace, this female-led business introduced a range of nude shades that are all vegan, paraben-free, non-toxic, and cruelty-free.
Dark Knight Dark Chocolate Shade, USD $17
Dark Knight Dark Chocolate Shade, USD $17

Makeup for Melanin Girls
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Makeup for Melanin Girls Birthday Suit Liquid Lipstick
Another MFMG, Birthday Suit is a deep, rich colour intended for higher pigmented skin. We love it also for the thought-provoking name… “If you do a quick search for ‘Birthday Suit’ in the makeup aisle, you will find mostly pale pinks and beige colors.”
Birthday Suit Liquid Lipstick, $7
Birthday Suit Liquid Lipstick, $7

Makeup for Melanin Girls
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Makeup for Melanin Girls Desnudo Liquid Lipstick
According to MFMG, this shade is all about embracing the beauty of all sizes, shapes and tones.
Desnudo, $7
Desnudo, $7

Shopper's Drug Mart
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Lipstick Queen Nothing But The Nudes Sweet As Honey

Sephora
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Too Faced Natural Nudes Lipstick Skinny Dippin’ Honey Beige
This shade is best for yellow and olive undertones, this richly-pigmented, creamy nude lipstick is infused with hydrating coconut butter.
Skinny Dippin' Honey Beige, $29
Skinny Dippin' Honey Beige, $29

Sephora
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Too Faced Send Nudes Soft Peachy Nude
This Too Faced shade brings comfort and balmy, hydrating texture with this long-lasting colour.
Send Nudes Soft Peachy Nude, $29
Send Nudes Soft Peachy Nude, $29

Sephora
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Shiseido Lacquer Ink Lip Shine 311 Vinyl Nude in Peach
Shiseido’s featherweight formulate offers high-intensity pigment and full coverage while giving the shine of a gloss and a vinyl finish. There are 12 other shades to choose from.
311 Vinyl Nude in Peach, $35
311 Vinyl Nude in Peach, $35

Fenty Beauty
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Fenty Stunna Boss Nudes Longwear Fluid Lip Color Trio
This is actually a trio of shades: Unveil (chocolate brown), Uncuffed (rosy mauve), and Unbutton (peachy nude), allowing for deeper customization than a single shade can achieve.
Longwear Fluid Lip Color Trio, $50
Longwear Fluid Lip Color Trio, $50
Related: How to find the perfect scent for you.

Mented Cosmetics
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Mented Semi-Matte Peach Please
This Mented lipstick is a subtle peach shade with coral undertones.
Longwear Fluid Lip Color Trio, USD $17
Longwear Fluid Lip Color Trio, USD $17

Walmart Canada
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Cover Girl Exhibitionist Cream Lipstick in 225 Dulce De Leche
Last year, Cover Girl expanded its makeup line to include a wider range of shades in its line of foundation, and this line of cream lipsticks comes in 27 shades (though not all are considered its smooth nudes).
225 Dulce De Leche, $8
225 Dulce De Leche, $8
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