SINCE it was spotted on the models of Versace, Marc Jacobs and Roberto Cavalli for the Fall-Winter 2009-2010 collections, barely there puckers have made its way to the red carpet and makeup counters.

Best worn with dark, smoky eyes or palette of brown, taupe and beige, nude lips can play up the rest of your makeup. It also balances out strong eyeshadow and makes lips look fuller.

Incorporate this trend into your makeup wardrobe with some tips and tricks from Shu Uemura makeup artist, Omar Ermita.

Keep your lips chap-free. Prep your lips before applying lip color by gently brushing them with a soft, wet toothbrush. This removes dry, scaly skin and leaves your lips soft and smooth.

“It is very important to keep your lips in good condition if you plan to go nude. There’s nothing worse than seeing globs of lip color clinging to dry, flaky bits of skin,” says Ermita.

Dab on a layer of concealer. Applying concealer or foundation on your lips erases its color, allowing lipstick to stand out without having to pile it on thickly. Ermita suggests a coat of lip balm, then add a light layer of concealer or foundation using a lip brush. Top this off with a nude lip color and lip gloss to create basic pale lips. To give lips fullness, apply a high-shine, shimmery lip gloss on lower lip instead of your regular clear gloss.

“The best thing about nude lipstick is that there is a shade for everyone,” says Ermita.

Pale colors tend to wash out thin lips. Ermita recommends “adding a subtle splash of color to thinner lips without overdoing it.”
A nude lip color with a hint of pink or blend of shimmer prevents thin lips from disappearing.

Full lips, on the other hand, look best with some definition. “Use a nude lip liner to lightly trace the outline of your lips, then fill in with lip balm for a look that’s subtle,” he said.

Find the hue to match your skintone. “Stay within two shades of your natural skin tone. Girls with fair complexion should look for pinker nudes or peach hues while those with darker skin should go for creams or pale beige undertones,” says Ermita.

To avoid lips from looking ghostly, stay away from very pale shades and too-matte formulas. Instead, opt for a creamy finish or up the shine by topping lips with gloss.

Make lip color last. A tried-and-tested trick of experts to make lip color last longer is to apply it in layers.

“Use a lip brush to apply lipstick, blot with a tissue and reapply,” says Ermita. Also, applying lip liner helps keep the color on longer. Just make sure your lip liner matches your lip color. “Browns or dark shades are a huge no-no when it comes to nude lips.”

Just like the color of your lipstick, its finish is just as important. “A matte finish works well on the runway, while a glossy finish works for everyday use or for a night out. Using a hint of shimmer adds dimension to your lips,” says Ermita.

Must-have nudes

Avon introduces its Glazewear Dimensions Lipstick this month with a special price offer (P249 from regular price of P375). This high-shine lipstick changes color with every angle. Try Nude Gold and Pink Glimmer.

Ever Bilena’s Extreme Lipstick offers long-lasting color and shine without the high price. Only P150, its best nude shades are Puppy Love and Pink-A-Boo.

L’Oreal Paris New Infallible Lip Duo Compact promises color that lasts up to 16 hours. The compact includes a non-transfer color and conditioning lip balm that stays on all-day. Available in 10 shades for P975.