11 Best Nude Lipsticks of 2025, Tested and MUA-Backed

Number of Shades: 35 | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No

Out of all the nude lipsticks we tested, this one from Dior impressed us the most. The texture is velvety with a powder-like quality, which gives it an airy feel, and it sets to a matte finish that remains lightweight on the lips. Just one layer provided an impressive color payoff, and we loved that it didn’t slip or slide around, making it an excellent choice for any occasion. It wore beautifully and passed our transfer tests with flying colors. Just a tiny bit of excess product came off during the tissue test, but almost no color was visible on our water glasses or apple when further assessing for transfer. 

While some online reviewers say this lipstick is a bit drying, we didn’t experience that. If you deal with dry, flaky lips, we recommend gently exfoliating and applying a light layer of lip balm before swiping on this formula. 

Number of Shades: 72 | Finish: Satin | Cruelty-Free: No

Those looking for a comfortable, easily accessible formula you can build up or sheer out will love this option from Revlon. It has a super creamy and emollient consistency that feels cushiony on the lips. It applies smoothly and evenly and doesn’t gather in lip lines or emphasize their appearance. Because it’s a creamy formula with a satin finish (meaning it falls somewhere in between shiny and matte), it does transfer. We found that it wore off when eating and drinking; however, this is common with non-matte lipsticks, and it’s very easy and seamless to reapply. So while it might not be ideal for a full-glam look or a special occasion, it’s great for everyday wear. 

Number of Shades: 21 | Finish: Satin | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The satin formula of this lipstick is excellent, though it’s the expansive shade range that makes it stand out from other options on the market. It offers nearly two dozen shades that range in depth and undertone, so everyone should be able to find one (or a few) that suits them. The formula is creamy, pigmented, and comfortable to wear. While the satin finish does transfer a bit when eating and drinking, it remains smooth and pigmented on the lips. 

We did notice that it settled into lip lines a bit, though we think proper exfoliation and hydration, and not over-applying the formula, could minimize this. We highly recommend checking out this range if you’re looking for a specific nude shade.

Number of Shades: 8 | Finish: Satin | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We adore this lipstick from Merit for everyday wear, thanks to its comfortable and hydrating formula and the beautiful satin finish. The creamy consistency is easy to apply (and reapply throughout the day) and helps nourish the lips thanks to the inclusion of squalane, papaya extract, sunflower seed, and raspberry oils. During our test, we were so impressed by how lightweight and creamy it felt, and we loved that the pigmentation is buildable—this makes the shades more flexible across skin tones. We would love to see the brand expand its shade offering, but the current nudes in the lineup are all-star picks. 

Number of Shades: 20 | Finish: Soft matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Pillow Talk is an iconic shade, but don’t sleep on the other nude hues in this beautiful matte formula. Unlike a lot of matte lipsticks, which can look and feel drying, this one has a semi-creamy texture with a soft matte finish. It glides on effortlessly and gives the lips a matte look with the tiniest bit of radiance that simply helps prevent a chalky finish. 

Though it’s not ideal to wear while eating since we did experience transfer when biting into an apple, it transfers just minimally when blotting and drinking. Plus, it’s easy to reapply because the formula isn’t too thick or dry. 

Number of Shades: 7 | Finish: Satin | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you like a lipstick that isn’t matte but also isn’t super glossy, this satin formula will be a perfect fit for you. It’s a bit shinier than a typical satin lipstick, but we actually love that because it’s creamy and gives the lips a smooth, plump look. The formula is hydrating, not sticky, and doesn’t bleed or settle into lip lines. We loved that it offered a one-swipe color payoff, and while it did transfer due to the emollient texture, it’s easy to reapply. 

The shades are stunning and work beautifully across a wide range of skin tones, but beware that the online swatches are not super accurate. The colors look richer and more saturated in person. 

Number of Shades: 28 | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No

Pretty much all traditional bullet lipsticks are going to transfer a bit, but this one transferred the least out of all the options we tested. The matte formula offers an impressive color payoff and applies smoothly to the lips. Once applied and set, it’s pretty budge-proof. We experienced very minimal transfer when blotting, eating, and drinking, making this bullet lipstick a great option to wear on date night or a special occasion. While it can feel a bit drying, it’s nothing a light layer of lip balm can’t fix.  

Number of Shades: 13 | Finish: Shiny | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Victoria Beckham knows a thing or two about creating luxe products with beautiful textures (her Satin Kajal eyeliners are incredible), and this is one of her brand’s best. In addition to the gorgeous, sleek packaging, we adore the formula—it’s creamy, it offers buildable pigmentation, and it’s hydrating, thanks to rosehip, coconut, and avocado oils. When you swipe it on, it feels like applying a rich lip balm. 

During our test, we loved that it was easy to layer and build up for our desired pigmentation, and it felt comforting on the lips. It does transfer a bit and fades away pretty quickly while eating and drinking, but it’s easy to reapply without it getting heavy or pilling. If you’re in the mood to splurge on a luxurious nude lipstick that offers color and hydration, we highly recommend this one. 

Number of Shades: 34 | Finish: Matte | Cruelty-Free: No

If you can’t stand the feeling of product sitting on your lips, but you still want to play with lip color, we recommend checking out this lightweight matte formula from Pat McGrath. It has a super soft, airy, almost whipped texture that offers rich pigmentation while remaining light-feeling on the lips. Just a few swipes will evenly coat your lips in saturated color, and the matte finish is soft and powdery, which helps prevent it from gathering in lip lines. 

This formula does transfer quite a bit, so we don’t recommend wearing it while eating meals. However, the creamy formula is easy to reapply.  

Number of Shades: 25 | Finish: Matte lipstick, shiny gloss | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A dual-ended product offers excellent value, and we love this one in particular. It features a matte lipstick on one end and a corresponding nude lip gloss on the other. Both formulas are creamy, comfortable, and easy to apply, and the matte lipstick provides strong color payoff. 

We did find that both formulas transferred a bit and settled into lip lines, so we recommend applying them in light layers. Aside from the dual-ended component of this product, we were most impressed by the shade range—it truly runs the gamut in terms of depths and undertones.