It might have been a Monday evening, but last night the A-listers were out in force. While Isla Fisher, Nicole Kidman and Jourdan Dunn attended the InStyle Awards in LA, Rachel McAdams took to the red carpet for the London premiere of Doctor Strange and the model Anja Rubik was in New York for the Take Home a Nude annual auction. Aside from being out on a school night, all five celebrities had one thing in common; they chose natural, nude lipstick.
Red might be the shade of lipstick we often associate with the red carpet, but over the past few months nude has been the colour of choice. "I think that the move towards nude lips on the red carpet is because it makes things more modern and paired back, whereas a red lip is more classic and full on," says the make-up artist Wendy Rowe. "Nude is also much easier to wear as it works on every lip shape."
The make-up artist Zoe Evans agrees, "A nude lip is both sophisticated and fresh, a classic of our time, and in my opinion the final touch to a red carpet look."
It's not just celebrities who are opting for nude lipsticks. Kat Von D's Liquid Lipstick in Bow and Arrow, a rich nude hue is the bestselling shade in Debenhams at the moment and Topshop has noticed a rise in sales for nude shades with Mink, Naturist and Boardroom outselling bolder shades. "Nude is bigger than a trend, it’s a style choice and it’s not going away," says Topshop's beauty trading manager Stephanie Sheperis.
How to find the perfect shade of nude lipstick
Like red lipstick, it's not a case that one shade suits all "The secret is to choose shades that are similar in tone to your complexion," explains make-up artist Bobbi Brown. "For example, if a nude lipstick looks ashy, it’s too light for you. If it looks muddy, the shade is too dark."
The best nude lipsticks
For a matte finish
Look to Topshop Matte Lip Bullet in Duvet Day, for a chic, matte hue that lasts all day without drying out your lips.
For staying power
Kat Von D is a tattoo artist, so it's no surprise that she's formulated her products to ensure they last. The Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bow and Arrow, genuinely does live up to its name and stays in place even after eating and drinking.
For shade selection
With a collection dedicated to finding your perfect nude, there is a shade Bobbi Brown Lip Color, for every skin tone.
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