5 High-End Nude Lipsticks

Now that Autumn is well on the way, it's time to shun the brighter shades that are synonymous with summer. It isn't quite late enough in the year to start sporting darker, berry lipsticks just yet though, so nudes are the perfect, transitional option. A total failsafe, a nude lip pulls any look together and always looks sophisticated, whatever the season or occasion. For a little luxury, I think a premium formula makes an everyday, safe shade that bit more special and I have five, high-end favourites that I adore.

Clarins 06 Rosewood Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector Swatch

On rushed mornings, when I'm looking for a fuss-free lip product to simply add a hint of colour and give me some moisture, the Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors are the one. A soft, pink-brown shade, Rosewood is my favourite from the collection and is my ideal 'my lips but better' colour. Being a balm, the formula is only sheer and gently evens out the skin-tone, resulting in a natural-looking, healthy, plumped pout. The lips are left covered in a soothing veil of moisture, which protects them from drying out as the weather gets cooler and keeps the skin soft. Like the original Instant Light glosses, the texture of the balm is smooth and creamy, with no annoying stickiness. The colour may fade after an hour or so, but thanks to the foolproof formula, it really isn't a hassle to re-apply throughout the day.

Dior Rouge Dior Trench Nude Lip Blush Swatch

If you are a regular reader of AGB, then you may already be aware of my obsession with the Dior Rouge Dior Nude Lip Blush line. Grege has been my holy-grail lipstick since the range first launched, but I recently picked up 'Trench' and it has rocketed to the top spot. A peachy beige, this shade is warming and illuminates the complexion. Combining makeup and skincare, Dior have infused these lipsticks with nourishing, treatment ingredients which work to keep the lips hydrated and youthful. Formulated with semi-sheer pigments to create a luminous, yet natural, effect, the lip blushes have an almost ethereal effect. But, don't be fooled, although the texture appears balmy, they feel rich and don't wear off as quickly as you may presume, lasting for around three hours until a touch-up is needed. Out of any lipsticks I've ever tried, no others make my lips look as smooth or flawless as these do and, as soon as you apply, it's instantly obvious that the formula is worth the price-tag.

Marc Jacobs 110 Role Play Lovemarc Lip Gel Swatch

A while ago, the Marc Jacobs Lip Gels were half discontinued and half given a shake-up, with the original line being replaced by the New Nudes range. Technically, my Marc Jacobs' Lovemarc Lip Gel in 110 Role Play is from the old collection, but fortunately, this same shade has been saved from the cull and is still available. Hoorah! When I'm more tanned, Role Play comes out as a soft, dusky-rose shade, but the colour teeters on the edge of nude when I'm at my palest and has more of a cool-toned, mauve edge to it. Although the word gel conjures up connotions of being light and translucent, this lipstick gives almost opaque coverage. Having a satin finish, the consistency is creamy enough to be more comfortable than a matte product, but not glossy enough that it's messy or fades in a matter of minutes. This lipstick is by far one of the most long-wearing, non-matte nudes in my entire collection, lasting for around eight hours on me. Honestly, I'm still baffled as to why Marc Jacobs wanted to change anything about these lipsticks in the first place!

Estee Lauder Crystal Nude Pure Colour Crystal Lipstick Swatch

Whenever I'm in more of a pink mood, I turn to the Estee Lauder Pure Colour Crystal Lipstick in Crystal Nude. Along with Crystal Baby, this was the first, expensive lipstick I bought and it's still a firm favourite of mine, despite my makeup tastes changing since then. Shot through with finely-milled, golden shimmer, this pinky, beige shade is a great choice for evenings. Instead of giving an unflattering, frosted finish, the dusting of shimmer helps the lips look more juicy and glowing. Thanks to shea butter and apricot kernel oil, the formula is creamy and hydrating, but it's lightweight, instead of thick and tacky. A signature of Estee Lauder, the Pure Colour Crystal Lipsticks have a mouth-watering fig scent to them which smells amazing and is totally addictive!

MAC Shy Girl Lipstick Swatch

MAC is the first brand that comes to mind when I think of nude lipsticks. Many of their most popular shades, like Hue, Creme d'Nude or Creme Cup, are too pale for my taste and can leave my complexion looking rather pallid. MAC Shy Girl Lipstick, a pale warm peach saturated with barely visible white shimmers, is about as light as I can go. This shade can look quite fake and patchy if you layer it on heavily or have very dry lips, so I always blot it down a little after application. Having MAC's cremesheen finish, Shy Girl has a decent level of pigmentation and gives the lips a slight sheen, rather than a glassy shine. Whilst the formula can feel drying after a whole day of wear, it's definitely more comfortable than a full-on matte and it does mean it lasts longer, wearing for around four hours. If only MAC didn't pump that sickly-sweet, vanilla scent into the formula, I'd reach for Shy Girl more often! 

What are your favourite nude lipsticks?

AGB X