This Lip Pencil Is Flattering on Practically Every Skin Tone

If there’s one lip color that never seems to go out of style, it’s brown. Not the deep, opaque brown we wore in the ’90s, but a softer, medium-toned version, usually with a hint of pink. The effect is more subtle than statement making: a flattering nude that enhances your lips’ natural color and shape without overwhelming the rest of your look.

Of course, professional makeup artists have long championed brown’s versatility. Donni Davy, the makeup artist behind Euphoria, has described brown as not only a “universal” shade but also an extremely versatile one. Meanwhile, Chanel makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown calls it “time-tested and reliable,” noting that it works beautifully across a variety of skin tones.

And there’s one color that is especially flattering across the board: gorgeous hazelnut.

A balance of warm and cool

The secret to a hazelnut hue’s versatility lies in its balance of warm and cool tones. Look for a medium-brown base with just enough warmth to complement golden and olive complexions, while a subtle hint of pink softens the yellow-orange undertones that can make some brown lip colors less flattering on cooler skin. One that’s especially loved? The Smart Fusion Lip Pencil in shade Hazelnut from Kiko Milano.

Of course, no single shade is guaranteed to flatter absolutely everyone. But hazelnut’s balance of brown and pink makes it particularly adaptable for many faces.

How to wear hazelnut lip pencil

Another part of the appeal? You can wear it plenty of ways. For a natural, everyday look, apply a light layer of color, either tracing the natural lip line or filling in the lips entirely. For a more defined effect, build up the pigment with a few additional strokes.

You can also use the pencil to experiment with two of the biggest lip makeup trends: contouring and overlining. Trace just outside the natural lip line for subtle fullness, or concentrate a little more color around the outer edges to create the illusion of dimension. Its creamy texture makes the shade especially easy to work with, delivering soft definition and a touch of radiance without the intensity of a dark lipstick.

The result feels equally appropriate for the office or an evening out. It looks as good with a tailored suit as it does with an elegant dress, and its understated color pairs effortlessly with almost any makeup palette.

Best of all, hazelnut is an easy entry point for anyone who finds color analysis a little overwhelming. There’s no need to memorize your undertones, identify your seasonal color palette, or master complicated combinations. The balanced rosy brown shade does much of the work for you.

Think of it as the lip-pencil equivalent of a great neutral wardrobe staple: versatile, flattering, and remarkably easy to wear.

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