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Kerry Washington Nude Lipsticks: 14 & Counting

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 Kerry Washington nude lipsticks: let’s examine.

Kerry Washington’s signature pinky-nude lipstick as Olivia Pope is pretty epic so I thought I’d continue the trend by identifying similar shade she’s worn throughout the years. She sets the standard for habitual nude lipstick wearers everywhere, wouldn’t you say?

This dimension, as celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine prefers, is what makes a nude lipstick truly ready-to-wear for brown skin.

Nude shades and pink (tones) can get lost against rich skin tones, so I use brown lip liner for definition.

For example, for someone with Kerry’s complexion, she could use the same options the Scandal makeup department uses on the actress: Laura Mercier Lip Liner in Hazelnut TeaMAC Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Nice ‘N’ Spicy or Chantecaille Lip Definer in Discreet. If you’re looking for something else to wear besides the heralded MAC Lip Pencil in Chestnut, go for IMAN Perfect Lip Pencil in Espresso.

Original Glamazon Mikki Taylor addressed this lip lesson in her book Commander in Chic: Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady. The right “sister-friendly hue,” she assures, can often be found at your local drugstore, waiting as it is the right nude for you.

Kerry Washington Nude Lipsticks: Neutrogena

Kerry Washington wears Neutrogena Hydro Boost Lip Shine in Almond Nude. Celebrity makeup artist Carola Gonzalez applies the lip color.

Here are lipsticks Kerry Washington has worn from Dior to Tarte (she wears Neutrogena Hydro Boost Lip Shine in Almond Nude here):

Kerry Washington Nude Lipsticks: Discontinued Shades from Tarte, Dior, L’Oreal & Make Up For EverKerry Washington Nude Lipsticks: Discontinued Shades from Tarte, Dior, L'Oreal and MUFE

  • Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick in Pure at the 2014 Met Ball Gala.
    • To offset Kerry’s bold smoky eye, celebrity makeup artist Carola Gonzalez chose Tarte Glamazon Pure Performance 12-Hour Lipstick in Pure, a nude, light rose, at the Met Ball Gala.
  • Dior Rouge Dior Voluptuous Care Lip Color in 314 Angelique Beige at the 2012 Emmys.
    • It was Kerry’s idea to go with a nude lip, so I used Dior Rouge Lipstick 314 in Angelique Beige, which looks amazing with her skin tone. I gave it to her [because] she fell in love with it! She couldn’t have been happier with the lipstick shade.-Carola Gonzalez
  • L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in Opulent Organza topped with L’Oreal HIP Shine Struck Liquid Lip Color in Reserved at the 2011 Sundance Festival.
    • Celebrity makeup artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis described Washington as “very elegant [and] very ladylike” so she opted for a soft, effortless nude from L’Oreal: Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in Opulent Organza. For a finishing touch, she topped Opulent Organza with L’Oreal HIP Shine Struck Liquid Lip Color in Reserved (discontinued). Kerry wore this budget beauty combo at the 2011 February Sundance Festival.
  • Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in #23 Satin Beige at the 2013 MTV Movie Awards.
    • Kerry Washington wore Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense in #23 Satin Beige.

Kerry Washington Nude Lipsticks: Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick

Kerry Washington Nude Lipsticks: Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick

1st row:

  • Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks in Juicy Peach and Warm Caramel at the 2014 BET Awards.
    • At the 2014 BET Awards, Kerry Washington stepped out in a summer-appropriate Dolce and Gabbana frock with on-trend white pumps. The awards ceremony was her second appearance since having her daughter Isabelle. She, of course, slayed by keeping it classy and sophisticated. To complement her summer-ready ensemble, celebrity makeup artist Pati Dubroff kept the lips “soft and [naturally] nude” with a slight tint of peach by mixing Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Juicy Peach and Warm Caramel.”
  • Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Warm Caramel at the 2014 Golden Globes.
    • As Neutrogena’s newest spokeswoman and creative consultant, the mommy-to-be attended the Golden Globes this past Sunday. Celebrity makeup artist Carola Gonzalez said, “We wanted to do something different, so we decided to go with a bold, dramatic eye. We wanted to be more daring, and due to the elegant simplicity of the dress, this was the perfect time to do this.” Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Warm Caramel (which could be an excellent dupe for Clinique’s Whole Lotta Honey) complimented Kerry’s smokey eye. Pregnancy agrees with her! 
  • Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Pink Nude at the at the 2016 NAACP Awards.

2nd row:

Kerry’s Nude Lipsticks: Hourglass, Lancome, & More

Kerry Washington Nude Lipsticks: Hourglass, Lancome, NARS, & MAC

  • Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Truth at the 2013 Emmys.
    • Kerry looked simply ethereal at the 2013 Emmys. I loved everything, and her makeup was divine. Imagine my shock when I found out celebrity beauty pro Carola Gonzalez beat Washington’s face something whimsical! “I wanted to create a soft makeup look that would match Kerry’s delicate and dreamy princess-like dress. The dress itself had so much detail that we just wanted to accentuate her natural features instead of doing anything too bold,” explained Gonzalez. That rosy nude lip is not a lipstick, but a lip gloss. Gonzalez coated Washington’s lips with Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Truth.
  • NARS Lipstick in Falbala at the 2013 Scandal Paley Center Event.
    • Celebrity makeup artist Brigette Reiss-Anderson revealed,”I am always inspired by the clothing. When I saw Kerry’s white dress, it was easy to see what I needed to do: sheer, fresh and light. “She is wearing NARS Lipstick in Falbala, which is one of my favorite nude lipsticks of all time. Another urban beauty legend loves this rose shade too.

Kerry Washington Nude Lipsticks: Urban Decay and MAC 

Kerry Washington wears Urban Decay Glide on Lip Pencil in Nighthawk and MAC Lipstick in 312 Impressive

For the 2023 Met Gala, Gonzalez chose Urban Decay Glide On Lip Pencil in Nighthawk paired with MAC Lipstick in 312 Impressive. Gonzalez wanted to “create a reflective smoky eye” according to Byrdie so a soft nude lip was definitely in order to complete Washington’s look.