A definitive guide to finding the perfect pinky-nude lipstick for you

from $54 at Charlotte Tilbury

There's a reason Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk is so beloved the world over. The universally flattering shade can be customised to suit a variety of skin tones with just a bit of lip liner. Otherwise you can always sample the fair, medium or dark shades available in the ever-expanding Pillow Talk collection.

Key features:

Universally flattering pinky-nude shade
Customise the colour with lip liner
Matte finish
Infused with lip conditioning ingredients
Contains emollient ester blend and 3D effect glowing pigments

Available at:

$54 from Charlotte Tilbury

from $40 at M.A.C Cosmetics

M.A.C has been listening to their loyal customers demands and reintroducing the cool-toned nude shades that made the brand so popular in the '90s back into their core lip collections. If you have cool undertones you can't go wrong with this 'Cool Teddy' lipstick shade paired with M.A.C's 'Cool Spice' Lip Liner ($40 from M.A.C Cosmetics).

Key features:

Cool-toned deep beige
Silky matte finish
Full coverage and pigment-rich formula
Provides up to 12 hours of comfortable wear

Available at:

$40 from M.A.C Cosmetics
$40 from The Iconic
$40 from Adore Beauty

from $70 at Adore Beauty

Pinky-nude lipsticks with warm undertones aren't hard to find, which means you're able to experiment a lot more when it comes to finish. We love the adaptability of this glossy, balm-inspired formula — the luxurious chrome bullet can be worn day or night. 

Key features:

Warm coral pinky-nude shade
Gloss-like shine
Medium coverage
Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and mango oil nourish for up to 8 hours
Melting formula blends effortlessly

Available at:

$70 from Adore Beauty
$72 from Sephora
$72 from MYER

from $72 at Sephora

This unique lip colour isn't too fair for deep skin tones or too deep for fair skin tones. Plus, it looks good on skin with warm, cool or neutral undertones. Besides the perfect shade match, this high-shine pick also boasts a long lasting, highly-pigmented formula that moisturises lips for up to 24 hours.

Key features:

Neutral undertone
Universally flattering
High-shine, high-pigment finish
Long-wearing, moisturising formula

Available at:

$72 from Sephora
$72 from MYER
$72 from David Jones

from $39 at Sephora

Prefer a lip gloss over a lipstick? This genius formula combines the glassy finish of a gloss with the longwearing and moisturising properties of a medium-coverage satin lipstick. 

Key features:

Glossy, luscious shine finish
Medium coverage
Infused with a blend of nourishing lip moisturisers
Locks in moisture for up to eight hours

Available at:

$39 from Sephora
$39 from Fenty Beauty

from $48 at Sephora

Clinique's Black Honey lipstick is a viral sensation, but if you're looking for a pinky-nude version of the universally flattering shade you can't go wrong with the brand's new 'Pink Honey'. It promises a transparent, sheer and lightweight finish, offering the best of both worlds with a formula that feels kind of like a lip balm and kind of like a lip gloss. 

Key features:

Transparent, balmy finish
Sheer, lightweight, 'your lips but better' colour
Universally flattering formula
Applies sheer and can be layered for a more pigmented finish
Hydrating and glossy formula

Available at:

$48 from Sephora
$48 from The Iconic
$48 from Clinique

from $52 at Sephora

According to Pat McGrath herself, this satin lipstick delivers runway-inspired colour, hydration, and a feather-free finish in just a single swipe. Plus, the neutral, pink-beige shade is formulated to flatter all skin tones.

Key features:

Neutral undertone
Satin shine finish
Medium buildable coverage
Comfortable, weightless creamy texture
Infused with hydrating and conditioning botanical collagen and passion fruit oil

Available at:

$52 from Sephora
$54 from Pat McGrath Labs

from $42 at Sephora

Prefer a minimal makeup routine? Streamline your application process with this multi-purpose cream blush and cheek stick. It blends out easily for a natural flush of colour, and can be built up if you're after a more pigmented finish.

Key features:

Multi-purpose cream blush and lip colour
Blendable and buildable formula
Enriched with mango butter, and avocado and apricot oils
Hydrates and nourishes skin
Delivers a natural flush of colour

Available at:

$42 from Sephora

from $36 at Sephora

Tempted by the promise of a lip product that you can rely on to last all day without cracking, flaking or fading? Let us formally introduce you to this lightweight and hydrating long wear lipstick from Rare Beauty.

Key features:

Air-whipped, matte lip cream formula
Featherweight full coverage
Hydrating formula ensures comfortable all day wear
Smooths lips and softly blurs
Enriched with lotus, gardenia, white waterlily, and Vitamin E

Available at:

$36 from Sephora

from $40 at Sephora

Plump your lips without having to resort to painful in-clinic procedures or spicy lip formulas with this 4-in-1 product. It simultaneously acts as a balm, gloss, lip colour and lip treatment, utilising a blend of moisturising, antioxidant-rich ingredients, and Cushion Comfort Complex to plump your pout and smooth fine lines.

Key features:

4-in-1 balm, gloss, colour and lip treatment
Enriched with plumping and smoothing Cushion Comfort Complex 
Mirror-shine finish
Infused with a blend of moisturising and antioxidant-rich ingredients

Available at:

$40 from Sephora