From iconic blowouts to shimmery shadows, we can thank the '90s and '00s for many beauty tips and trends, but for me its most significant contribution has no doubt come in the form of glossy lips.
Tubes, wands and sticks of lip gloss may have been placed on the beauty back burner in favour of matte finishes in the 2010s, but now with the rebirth of Y2K beauty gloss has had a resurgence. With tags like #lipgloss boasting over 10 billion views on TikTok thanks to viral products like the Too Faced Lip Injection lip plumper and of course, RiRi's Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb, lip glosses have fast become a makeup-bag essential for every beauty lover.
Despite this surge in popularity and demand for the product, when excitedly scouring makeup counters and shelves I often find that one option still evades me: a perfectly nude gloss for darker skin tones. Thankfully, brands are now evolving (albeit slower than one would like) and are creating formulas made with dark skin tones in mind that aren't too pink or too cool.
Found yourself stacked up against limited options like me? No need to fear. Try opting for deep browns and caramel-like neutrals—which are the real nudes for darker skin tones—and gloss away. Looking for a more hydrating option that doesn't smear your lip liner out of place? Then try opting for a gloss with a metal applicator. Glossy nudes are and should be for all.
Scroll on for the 13 nude lip glosses that I think are the very best for dark skin.
1. Makeup by Mario Pro Volume Lip Gloss in Mauve Nude
The Makeup-Bag Essential
You can't go wrong with this sumptuously glossy yet non-sticky option from the internet's favourite makeup artist in your arsenal.
2. Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Liquid Lip Oil in Garasonne
The Kissable Gloss
I fell in love with this nourishing and oh-so-glossy option from celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman's eponymous brand in 2020 and have yet to look back.
3. Hourglass Nº 28 Lip Treatment Oil in Neutral Rose
The Luxe Lip Gloss
One of the newer options in my rotation and a fair few beauty stops away from the hair-shop lip glosses, however for an elevated shine Hourglass has you covered.
4. Pat McGrath Labs Lust Gloss in Aliengelic
The Glass Gloss
The aptly named gloss is a one-way ticket to otherworldly lips for those nights where dancing until sunrise is a non-negotiable.
5. Givenchy Rose Perfecto Liquid Lip Balm in No.11
The Dimensional Nude
Don't let the colouring fool you. This liquid lacquer goes on slightly tinted boosting your natural lip pigment and leaving you with a custom nude.
6. Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer in Hot Chocolit Heat
The Lip Plumper
Buttery lips and Fenty are no doubt a match made in heaven thanks to their viral universal nude Hot Chocolit. Want to take it up a notch? Try it in the Heat edition.
7. Laura Mercier Lip Glacè in 15 Vanille
The Lip Glazer
Love a nude that errs on the pink side? Then this is the lip gloss for you. Its chunky applicator makes for a smooth and glossy finish every time.
8. No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in Pink Latte
The Train-Station Saviour
Forgetting your makeup bag before going away for the weekend can be a pain and doubly hard when finding dark skin shade matches, this lip gloss is a travel drugstore fail-safe.
9. Emolyne Gloss Lip in Kampala
The Muted Nude
Want a wedding go-to that can go from day through night? Then this muted nude from Emolyne is soon to become your glassy go-to.
10. Lanolips Glossybalms in Candy
The Glossy Salve
Dry, cracked lips are often unavoidable but this shouldn't have to equal missing out on the shiny fun. Thankfully, Lanolips' hybrid option is a glossy salve.
11. HydroPeptide Perfecting Gloss Lip Treatment in Palm Springs
The Nourishing Nude
This lip gloss is infused with collagen peptides for a hydrating sheen. It's skincare and glossy lips all in one. I'll take 10, thanks.
12. Collection Gloss Me Up Juicy Infusion Lip Gloss in Strawberry
The Hair-Shop-Gloss Dupe
Choosing to divest from high-street hair shops but struggling to find a comparable and accessible option? Not to worry—this juicy option from the collection is the ultimate dupe.
13. ST Essentials Lip Bae in Mexican Flames
The OG Gloss
It's the gloss we would secretly "borrow" from our mothers' and aunties' makeup bags in the '00s. Now, you can have your very own.
14.SAIE GLOSSYBOUNCE HYDRATING LIP OIL
The 'Latte' Nude
Browns = nude in black girl world I don't the rules. This one is from cool-girl brand Saie and makes for a juicy, uber-shiny option for any Friday night
Next Up: These 9 Makeup Looks Are Going Viral—Here's How to Re-Create Them at Home
Opening Image: @aysha.sow
