Best Lipsticks for Neutral Undertones

Having a neutral undertone is like having a "beauty superpower." While those with cool or warm undertones often have to be careful about colors clashing with their skin, you sit comfortably in the middle. You aren't too "pink," and you aren't too "yellow." You can wear silver and gold jewelry. You can wear blue-reds and orange-reds. In the world of makeup, you have the most versatile canvas imaginable.

However, the challenge of finding the lipstick neutral undertones love is that because you can wear everything, it’s hard to know what looks best. Sometimes, a "perfectly balanced" neutral skin tone can make certain colors look a bit "flat." The key is to find "balanced" shades that don't lean too far in either direction, or to use your neutrality to experiment with bold "temperature" shifts.

What Does "Neutral" Actually Mean?

A neutral undertone means that the "hue" beneath your skin is a balanced mix of cool and warm. This doesn't mean your skin is "grey"; it just means you don't have a dominant lean toward peach/gold or pink/red.

When choosing a lipstick, "neutral" often looks best in shades that are also "neutral"—like balanced mauves, true reds, and "greige" nudes. However, you can also use your neutrality to pull off "difficult" colors like lavender or terracotta that might look too stark on others. If you’re still trying to determine if you’re truly neutral, our Shade Matcher tool can analyze your skin’s specific balance and give you a definitive answer.

The Best Neutrals: Mauves and "Greiges"

For an everyday look, neutral skin tones look incredibly sophisticated in "muted" colors. These shades harmonize with your balanced skin to create a polished, "quiet luxury" aesthetic.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Pillow Talk is often cited as the "universal" lipstick because it is a perfectly balanced nude-pink. On neutral skin, it looks like a natural, healthy flush. For a more "modern" neutral, MAC Cosmetics Velvet Teddy is a deep-tone beige that has just enough warmth and coolness to look perfectly at home on neutral-medium skin.

If you love these high-end "neutral staples" but want to find a more affordable version, our Dupe Finder can help you find matches from brands like Maybelline or Revlon. To see which neutral shades are currently the most popular, check out our Trending Shades page.

True Reds and "Universal" Brights

When it comes to statement colors, neutral undertones are the best candidates for "true" colors—shades that sit exactly in the middle of the color wheel.

Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored is the gold standard for a "true red." It was designed to have an equal balance of blue and orange pigments, making it the perfect red for neutral skin. Another fantastic choice is MAC Ruby Woo—while it is blue-based, its intensity makes it look stunning on neutral skin of all depths.

For a bright pink, look for something like NARS Schiap. It’s a shocking fuchsia that is bold but doesn't lean too "purple" or too "coral." Your neutral skin allows this color to "pop" without making the rest of your face look sallow or red.

Tips for the Neutral-Toned Beauty

1. Jewelry as a Guide: If you're wearing silver jewelry today, lean toward a "cooler" lipstick (like a berry). If you're wearing gold, lean toward a "warmer" one (like a peach). Your skin can handle both!
2. The "Greige" Trend: Neutral skin tones are some of the only ones that can pull off "greige" (grey-beige) lipsticks like MAC Halsey or Lime Crime Cashmere without looking "dead." These shades look incredibly high-fashion on you.
3. Mix and Match: Don't be afraid to mix two lipsticks together. A warm orange and a cool pink will create a "custom neutral" that is uniquely yours.

Being neutral means the beauty world is your playground. You have the freedom to experiment with every color on the spectrum—so go out there and have fun with it!

Ready to find your perfect shade? Skip the guesswork — try POUT's free Shade Matcher and discover your match in seconds.