When brown girls see the word “nude” in reference to makeup, they seem a little skeptical, and for the right reason. Most products that are advertised as nude are usually not fit for what we would consider to create a fresh, barely there, made up face. So we took the liberty to scour for some true nude makeup essentials that will work for brown girls of every shade.

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Natural (nyxcosmetics.com, $5.00)

We love this creamy natural shade. It’s a favorite not only because it’s a true nude for all skin tones, but it also offers a long-lasting texture, high shine, moisture and smooth application. And those are only a few of the reasons we can’t get enough of this gloss. 

Maybelline SuperStay 14 Hour Lip Color (Target.com, $6.94)

If you aren’t much of a gloss girl and you’d like something with more of a matte finish, try this lip color. A perfect nude for girls who are dark brown, the lip color has such a weightless feel, you might forget you’re wearing it. With its extra staying power, chances are you won’t be reaching for a second application.

NARS Blush in Lovejoy (narscosmetics.com, $29.00)

You might be wondering, what’s the point of a nude blush? Well, a nude blush is an essential part of that “au naturale” look. A nude blush gives your face dimension and polish. This shade is described as a “bronzed rose,” and is definitely our go-to blush for brown girls looking to get that fresh face.

CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Bronzer in Ebony Bronze (Target.com, $6.99)

A bronzer is also another powder product that is needed (in minimal use) for that flawless nude look. It’s all about finding the right shade. The Queen Collection from CoverGirl always comes through for us brown ladies, so we weren’t surprised when we discovered this gem. Ebony Bronze is the darkest in the bronzer family for this collection, and it offers a variety of shades that are fit for our various undertones.

Too Faced Natural at Night Sexy & Sultry Neutral Eye Shadow Collection (toofaced.com, $36.00)

To finish up the list, we can’t forget the eyes. Saying we love this palette is probably the understatement of the century. As the name suggests, the palette contains a variety of neutral shades in different textures that can be worn from day to night. We’re sure you’ll love it just as much as we do.

—Ashley Okwuosa