The Best Brown Lipstick Shades to Embrace the '90s Trend
Posted on October 18 2023
It’s no secret that ‘90s makeup trends have made their way back onto the beauty scene after being seen all over the runways and on the faces of your favorite celebrities over the past few year, and brown lipstick has come knocking.
Brown feels like a fresh switch back to neutrals, and is a universally flattering shade that complements all skin tones. Because it’s an earth tone, the color warms up any complexion—but the shade you choose definitely still matters. Avoid picking a hue that is too close to your skin color so that you don’t look washed out. Fair and light skin tones look best in a taupe or pink brown tone, medium and olive skin tones would want a product with red undertones or a more vampy chocolate shade, and dark skin tones should reach for a muted coffee brown or tan hue. When it comes to the finish of the lipstick, a matte finish often works best for darker shades, while lighter browns pop when they have a glossy finish. But you should feel free to experiment with the shades and finishes you prefer—this trend is all about stepping out of your beauty comfort zone so the rules aren’t hard and fast.
And when it comes to tips for applying the standout shade, prepping your pout is key. Always apply a lip primer or concealer on your lips before your lipstick to ensure that the color stays on your lips and doesn’t transfer. Using a lip liner in tandem with your lipstick or as a base is also helpful in getting a precise application, which is important when wearing such a standout shade. Keep the rest of your makeup simple and modern and choose products in the same warm, earthy tones for your eyes and cheeks. Make sure to add some bronzer or highlighter for dimension.
Shop our favorite brown shades below.
- Clay: cool muted brownish plum
- Rapture: matte red brown
- Sin: gold frosted reddish brown
- Taupe: honey beige pink
- Tempest: silvery bronze gloss with cool shimmer
- Walnut: warm red brown
- Matte Spice: deep brown berry
- Caramel: rich caramel brown gloss
- Chocolate Cherry: dark reddish brown
- Matte Cerise: creamy mauve brown
- Patina: warm frosted champagne tan
- Maple Shimmer: shimmering reddish brown
- Venus: pink chocolate gloss