While bright pouts are getting plenty of attention this season, the classic nude lip continues to be a force on runways and the red carpet. In real life, barely-there lip color is one of those makeup looks that seems simple in theory, but there's an art to pulling it off. We asked celebrity makeup artist Nick Barose to share his best tips for going nude. 

When it comes to nudes, the right formula is crucial. “Nude lipstick should never be matte or opaque,” says Nick. “Those will make you look pasty and washed out. It needs to be sheer, with a slight sheen. I prefer a more creamy texture. For gloss, [the shade] should have a hint of pink or orangey tone in it so it won’t disappear.” 

1. LORAC Lips with Benefits in Mark, $18

2. Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Retsina, $24

3. Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme in Fresco, $30

4. Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick in Honeymoon, $12

5. Benefit Full Finish Lipstick in Lady’s Choice, $18

6. NARS Lip Gloss in Chihuahua, $24

There are more factors that go into rocking a nude lip than you’d think. The first step is to make sure your shade won’t wash out your skin tone. Whether you prefer a lipstick or gloss, Nick says, “If you're fair, opt for pink undertones; if you’re tan or have darker skin, opt for one with an orange undertone.” The key is to make sure the color isn’t lighter than your skin. “It’s easier on fair skin because most nudes won’t turn lighter than your skin,” says Nick. “For darker skin tones, it’s not attractive to have a nude lip that’s lighter than the skin tone,” he adds. “It should be nude but still pop. So, a hint of color is good.”

Nick says a nude lip is best paired with liner - but not in a shade that shows. “Definitely line the lip with a soft nude lip pencil, but be sure that it’s not too dark that you’ll see the lip liner beneath the color,” says Nick. 

1. Smashbox The Nude Lip Liner in Light, $16

2. Clinique Quickliner for Lips in Honeystick, $15

3. Stila Long Wear Lip Liner in Aspiring, $18

Pair your nude lip with “a smoky eye or liquid lined cat-eye,” says Nick, but never with super rosy cheeks. “Statement blush and a nude lip look crazy, almost like you didn’t get to finish your makeup - like, ‘Oh, I did my blush but I forgot to put lipstick on.’” 

A lack of testers at drugstores makes finding the right lip color tough, but not impossible. Nick says, “Hold it up to your skin and be sure it doesn’t blend in too much that it’ll disappear.” 

1. CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Kiss 275, $6.99

2. Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in Soft Nude 070, $8.99

3. Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Color in Nearly There 205, $8.29

4. Physician’s Formula Plump Potion in Sunkissed Potion, $9.75

5. Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Gloss in Healthy Peach 500, $8.99

6. L’Oreal Colour Riche LeGloss in Nude Illusion, $7.95

1. Burberry Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipstick in Cameo, $30

2. Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect in Impertinent Nude, $27.50

3. Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick in Sable Smoke, $48

4. YSL Rouge Volupte in Nude Beige, $34

5. Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in Absorb, $20 

6. Lancome Color Fever Plumper in Souffle, $29

Pair your barely-there lip color with these whimsical hairstyles for the wedding season.