One of our favorite trends this season is the perfect nude lips that are on all the runways.  This simple yet dramatic look is easy to achieve and can be done by even the most innocent makeup virgins out there (those days are so long ago for us here at Musk...) First, let's go over some general rules to help you out.

The Preparation

This is probably the step that is left out by most, but it is so crucial to make this look flattering for you.  The problem with the nude look is that any flaws are accentuated, so if your lips are dry or cracked, you'll end up highlighting that fact if you're not careful.  What's the answer? Exfoliate baby!  Lancome makes a great lip exfoliator (Primordial Lip Revitalizing Treatment $29.00), but so does Philosophy (Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip scrub $15.00) and Smashbox (Emulsion Lip Exfoliant $18.00).  No time to run to the store, then make your own home made version.  Just take a stick lip balm you have lying around the house (like Chapstick) and dip the end of the balm into a 1/2 tsp of sugar. 

  As with all the exfoliators, you want to rub in a gentle circular motion over the entire lip area, then gently rub off. After you want to seal in moisture with a moisturizing lip balm, we like L'Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm ($22.00) and then your done.

By exfoliating, you provide a nice smooth, even surface, that is ready for your lip color.

How To Choose Your Shade

This is the most challenging stage for most.  Most women choose either too light or dark a shade.  A great rule of thumb is that you want a color that is the same shade or slightly lighter than your skin tone (much like picking your concealer and foundation).  If your skin is

paler-go for a cooler shade you can even go more pink, totally nude or washed out but avoid too warm a shade or it's not nude anymore!

Suggested shades: Chanel's Precision Lip Definer in Tawny ($28.00 rosy pink), has a lip brush on one end and a liner on the other-perfect, Stila's Lip Liner in Nude (peachy nude) ($16.50), perfect for a matted nude lip, Laura Mercier Lip Color Creme($22.00) in Discretion (beige nude creme)

olive-go for a warmer shade avoid pale shades of beige, white or creamy tones, it will look washed out

Suggested shades:Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick ($22.00) in Elegant (nude honey), Laura Mercier Lip Color Creme ($22.00) in Aurora (light nude brown)

dark-go for a warmer shade avoid pale shades of beige, white or creamy tones, it will also look washed out

Suggested shades: Smashbox Photo Finish Lipstick($22.00) in Captivating (brownish nude), MAC Viva Glam Lipstick ($16.50) In VI (a mauve brown)

Some suggestions: 

When trying out shades, remember to rub off with eye makeup remover, if you just rub you can end up irritating and reddening your lips, which will result in you picking too red a shade.  

Still stuck?  Here's an insider's tip and our favorite way to wear this look.  Use your concealer or foundation!  It's perfect for this situation.  Of course it's the concealer that is a shade lighter (for those winter months) and not your slightly darker summer foundation.

How To Apply Your Color

After exfoliating and moisturizing, use your lip brush (or finger) and blend a light layer of concealer or lip color to your lips.  It's best to apply a LIGHT layer, if it's too heavy it can look caked on and unnatural.  Then you can apply more if you want a more dramatic look. Afterwards, apply a bit of lip balm to help set the foundation/lip color and wait.  After a minute or so, you can apply a clear lip gloss if you want some more flair to your look although this season a matted nude look is more the trend.

Some useful tips:

To give a little more sex appeal apply some gloss to the center of your lower lip and/or the top crown on your upper lip (that little V dip on your upper lip), silver or gold gloss works wonders

To give a more fuller look to your lips, add a touch of red lipstick to the center of your bottom lip, blend in well, then top off with a bit of gloss

Voila, you're done and your lips look perfect!

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