When it comes to curating the perfect makeup bag, there are a few staples that everyone needs regardless of whether you prefer a natural look or full glam. At the top of the list: a nude lipstick. But, that doesn’t mean that any nude lipstick you find in the makeup aisle will do. In fact, finding the right nude lipstick for you can take some time. (And can require lots of swiping and swatching– try our Virtual Try-On tool to take out some of the guesswork.) If you choose a nude lipstick that’s too light it can appear ashy or wash you out, depending on your coloring. With that in mind, it’s important to consider your skin tone in order to choose the nude lipstick that best suits you. Read on for tips to find the best nude lipstick for every skin tone from fair to dark. BEST NUDE LIPSTICKS FOR FAIR SKIN TONES : Matching your skin tone to a nude lipstick isn’t necessarily the way to go. Imagine this: you have fair skin and pick the palest lipstick available to you– it’s basically like putting concealer on your lips, which you probably already know will make you appear ghostly. Instead, look for something with some pink to it to help warm up your skin. Nude pink lipsticks are some of the most popular shades, so you will have plenty to choose from. A good one to try: Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Poet. But, if you want to stay on the cooler side, Super Stay Matte Ink in Loyalist has a hint of pink in it that doesn’t feel too warm. Prefer a high-shine finish rather than matte? Go for Super Stay Vinyl Ink in Captivated or Charmed, depending on how cool or warm you want to go. For medium skin tones, a pinky nude is still a good choice, but incorporating peachy tones can also benefit you– it’ll also add more warmth. You definitely don’t want to go too light in your lipstick choice, but you do have some wiggle room to go slightly lighter or darker than your skin tone. If you have cooler undertones, stick to dusty pinks, but for warmer tones, look for a richer hue, maybe even with some gold in it. To stay in the pink family, we like Super Stay Matte Ink in Seductress, but for a good mid-tone nude, we recommend Super Stay Ink Crayon Lipstick in Trust Your Gut. And you can always add a gloss topper such as Lifter Gloss in Moons for extra. Olive skin tones are characterized by its green undertones, which play beautifully with contrasting shades of peach and even deeper tans and browns. For a nice contrast try a deep-toned beige like Color Sensational Ultimatte in More Buff. If you prefer something more brown-toned, go for Super Stay Matte Ink in Amazonian. We also love Lifter Gloss in Stone if you want to add some subtle peach tones to your nude lip look. Darker skin tones are going to want to look for richer, deeper shades as anything too light will give a frosted effect. Opt for chocolate browns and even rosy browns if you want a hit of pink, but it’s really based on preference– darker skin tones can handle a heavier pigment load without being overpowered. For a pink-toned nude that flatters darker skin tones, look no further than Super Stay Ink Crayon in Lead the Way. To keep it neutral, Color Sensational in Mauve for Me is considered a universal brown lipstick that stuns on all skin tones, but especially those deeper complexions. For a cooler-toned hue, try Super Stay Vinyl Ink in Punchy. If you prefer something more sheer with a touch of shimmer, we love Super Stay 24 in Constant Cocoa.