MANILA, Philippines?These days, I love going nude?nude lipstick, that is. In fact, I think we should all ditch all the dark lippies we have in our kits so we won?t swipe them on by mistake one drunken night.

Nude lipstick is a trend I?ve been wanting to try, but it took a long time for me to have the guts to ditch color for something more subtle, sophisticated and sexy.

Yes, that?s what I think nude lipstick is all about.

It is true it can be very intimidating to go nude. Looking for the right shade alone can be tricky.

I asked some girls what shade they were wearing and I looked around myself. And I badgered some makeup artists to share how they pick the shades they use on models for shoots.

The basic rule when picking nude lip color is to pick a shade slightly lighter or darker than your skin color. Cooler shades work well for those who are pale. Go for warmer shades if you have darker skin or what we call kayumanggi.

Here?s a great makeup trick: After moisturizing the lips with a balm, brush on your own concealer on your lips as a replacement for lipstick, then add gloss after. If this is too extreme for you, you add some light shade on top of the concealer.

To add dimension or drama, opt for gloss with gold or silver shimmer. That should make you look like a Guerlain model.

Some shades are overwhelming faves of true nudists, like Viva glam V, on top of which is added MAC Lipglass. The shade of MAC in Hue is also great, and I love that it is sheer. Because I am pale, I am also partial to Underage by MAC.

Some friends love Blankety and order it abroad since it?s hardly available locally. Laura Mercier?s Discretion is also amazingly sexy. Angelina Jolie loves it!

Another brand I love is Make Up Forever. Its Lipstick in a matte sepia shade that is almost 100-percent great for any skin color.

Nude lippies have suffered from a bad rep. Many say it makes them look dead and sullen. But if you find the right shade and use a blush that?s closest to your natural color when you get flushed, it will make you look fresh and not overdone during the day.

At night, it will put the focus on your eyes. Believe me, it will make anyone look younger than she really is!