As much as I love a bold lip color—deep reds, rich purples, the whole nine—there will always be a special place in my heart for a nude lipstick. I grew up in an era when neutral lipsticks for deeper skintones weren’t exactly easy to come by, so I grabbed at practically any formula I could find—liquid, cream, matte, satin. You name it, I tried it, hoping each time I'd finally land on the one.
Over time, I began to notice a pattern: peach lipsticks looked incredible on my skin. And not just mine—I've found that to be the case across a wide range of my friends' skin tones too. Still, that doesn't mean finding the perfect peach is as easy as strolling into any beauty store and grabbing the first tube that catches your eye. In fact, peach is one of the trickiest shades to get right—it can skew too orange, too chalky, or just completely disappear on your lips depending on your undertone.
Cool undertones (which tend to read pink or red) call for a very different peach family than warm undertones (which lean yellow, gold, or olive). "Those in the former category will want to find a tone that doesn’t look too intense, while warmer undertones want to steer clear of peaches with a lot of white pigment," celebrity makeup artist Ehlie Luna previously told Marie Claire.
We'll get into exactly how to find your perfect peach lipstick based on undertones in a bit, but just know this: peach should be a staple in everyone's makeup collection. Ahead, the five best peach lipsticks out there right now, plus expert tips on how to pick the right one for your skin tone.
The Best Peach Lipsticks
- Best Peach Lipstick Overall: Victoria Beckham Cheeky Posh in Playground
- Best Peach Lipstick for Deep Skin: M.A.C. Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lipstick in Mullt It Over
- Best Peach Lipstick for Fair Skin: Nars Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick in Orgasm 777
- Best Peach Lipstick for Medium Skin: Pat McGrath Labs Satinallure Lipstick in Venusian Peach
Considering my number one pick for the best peach lipstick isn't actually a lipstick at all (it's actually a cream blush), you know it has to be magic. Thanks to its peachy, terracotta color profile—with just the right balance of warmth and depth—this blush from Victoria Beckham flatters most skin tones. Its sheer, buildable texture also makes it easy to adjust for your complexion, whether you're fair or deep. The secret lies in the creaminess, which makes it work just as easily as a lipstick as it does a cheek color. If you've been wanting to downsize your on-the-go makeup bag with products that will deliver a stunning sheen of color while multitasking, add this to your rotation.
Texture: Cream
Finish: Luminous
What I Love: Truly universal peach tone; Can be used on lips and cheeks
What I Don’t: This specific color is very popular, so it can be hard to hunt down at times
Review for MC: “I love Victoria Beckham Beauty, and I loved it even more once I realized how versatile the brand’s products are. This cheek color in particular is wonderful to also use on my lips, and the peachy sheen that it leaves behind is unbeatable. If you like easy monochromatic makeup, you can go wrong with picking a few of these up. I’ve used them on my eyes, lips, and cheeks, with zero irritation—just a gorgeous flush of color every time.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Victoria Beckham Cheeky Posh in Knickers.
MAC’s Powder Kiss line doesn't get nearly enough credit, in my opinion. The formula feels lightweight and cushiony, but still delivers a surprising amount of pigment for something so soft and matte. The shade Mull It Over—a warm, dirty peach with a hint of coral—looks especially stunning on deeper skin tones. Its warmth plays well with golden and red undertones (typically found in dark skin), adding just enough contrast without looking too pastel or washed out. Like the Victoria Beckham stick, this one also pulls double duty as a blush for an easy monochromatic look.
Texture: Cream
Finish: Matte
What I Love: Lightweight; Comfortable on the lips; Long-lasting
What I Don’t: Really soft formula, so be careful not to break it when applying
Review for MC: “This lipstick is perfect for everyday wear and is a classic peachy-nude shade. The matte finish is lightweight and doesn’t dry out the lips, making it super comfortable to wear throughout the day. It also layers wonderfully for when you want to reapply.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing M.A.C. Cosmetics Powder Kiss Lipstick in Mull It Over.
People with medium skin tones tend to have the most options when it comes to peach lipsticks—thanks to the versatility of their undertones, a wide range of shades can work. This lipstick from Pat McGrath is a standout for that exact reason. While it leans on the lighter side of nude, Venusian Peach has warm undertones that pair nicely with golden, olive, or neutral complexions, which are common in medium to tan skin tones. The soft satin finish is a great in between of matte and glossy, adding to its wearability.
Texture: Cream
Finish: Satin
What I Love: Collectable packaging; Satin formula can be easily sheered out or amplified for various finishes using only one lipstick
What I Don’t: Packaging can be a little finicky with day-to-day use
Review for MC: "I didn't expect to love a peach shade as much as I do, but Venusian Peach somehow walks the line between natural and glam. On my Italian skin (medium in the summertime with olive undertones), it gives just the right hint of warmth without looking too orange. It pairs well with a variety of eye looks, and the dewy, satin finish is a unique texture that I find only Queen Pat McGrath really nails." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor
Siena Gagliano testing Pat McGrath Labs Satinallure Lipstick in Venusian Peach.
People with fair skin tones often run into a specific issue when it comes to peach lipsticks: many shades tend to lean too orange, which can clash with their naturally cool or pink undertones. So finding a peach that adds warmth without overpowering the complexion can be tricky. This one from NARS nails the balance—Orgasm 777 is a pink-peach tone that doesn't skew orange, yet still delivers that peach glow thanks to the subtle golden shimmer. Plus, the sheer formula appears a bit more natural on the lips, as more opaque tones can easily wash them out.
Texture: Balm
Finish: High shine
What I Love: Adds warmth to the face without washing out any other features; There are multiple formulas in this shade to choose from (the blush can even be used as bronzer for very fair skin tones)
What I Don’t: This formula has a hint of shimmer, which some people may not like
Review for MC: "This is a great lipstick for days when I'm not wearing a whole lot else—it's subtle and lightweight but gives a pinch of peach to my lips. I could easily add lip liner and build it up for a more intense pigment payoff, but I personally love a quick swipe. It's creamy and delicious on my lips, too. There is a hint of sparkle in the bullet FYI." — Samantha Holender, Senior Beauty Editor
Samantha Holender testing Nars Afterglow Sensual Shine Lipstick.
There was a time when the driest matte liquid lipsticks were all that would grace my lips, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Almost a decade later and not only has my taste changed, but so have the liquid lipstick formulas on the market. In place of rough finishes that left my lip color prone to cracking, there is now one of my favorite lipstick formulas: the lip velvets by Anastasia Beverly Hills. The shade Peachy Nude is now one of my favorite everyday lipsticks of all time.
Texture: Mousse
Finish: Matte
What I Love: Comfortable on the lips; Long-wear formula that blends well
What I Don’t: Certain shades can look a little ashy
Review for MC: “This is one of my favorite lip formulas from Anastasia Beverly Hills. It’s like the grown-up version of the NYX matte lip creams that I loved back in college, but these come in an array of colors and hug my lips like velvet, just as the name suggests. These have become a permanent part of my makeup collection since I got my hands on them a few months ago, and I am begging the brand to never discontinue them.” — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer
Ariel Baker testing Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Velvet in Peachy Nude.
How to Find the Best Peach Lipstick
Contrary to popular belief, peach lipstick has warm and inviting tones and is actually versatile across a range of skin tones, explains makeup artist Andrea DiSabatino. "The suitability of peach lipstick often depends on the specific shade and undertones. Generally, peach lipsticks work exceptionally well on individuals with warm undertones, adding a natural and flattering touch."
For fair or medium tones, DiSabatino recommends lighter peaches that provide a soft and delicate look. "These shades enhance the natural warmth of the complexion without overpowering it," the expert explains. "On the other hand, deeper peach tones can be particularly striking on medium to dark skin tones, offering a rich and vibrant appearance that complements the warmth inherent in these complexions."
What to Look for in a Peach Lipstick
Peach lipstick has warm and inviting tones and is actually versatile across a range of skin tones, explains makeup artist Andrea DiSabatino. "Generally, peach lipsticks work exceptionally well on individuals with warm undertones, adding a natural and flattering touch." That said, DiSabatino adds that the "suitability of peach" often depends on the specific shade and undertones. This means that the right peach can also work for those on the cooler end of the spectrum.
To begin, “Consider the depth of tone,” Luna says. “Use a nude lipstick you own as a reference point for how deep the color should be.” Additionally, you should also consider the undertones of your preferred lip colors, as that can also help you narrow down your options. “‘Is it a golden peach? One that has a little pink in it? Does it lean coral?’ Ask yourself these questions so that you can zone in on one to four shades, then swatch to identify your best match,” Luna adds.
For fair or medium tones, DiSabatino recommends lighter peaches that provide a soft and delicate look. "These shades enhance the natural warmth of the complexion without overpowering it," the expert explains. On the other hand, deeper peach tones can be particularly striking on medium to dark skin tones. "They offer a rich and vibrant appearance that complements the warmth inherent in these complexions," DiSabatino says.
The Best Peach Lipstick Formula
While celebrity makeup artist, Theo Turner, doesn’t believe in formula superiority, he does believe that some are more versatile than others, and that’s where you should start the search.
“I always recommend going with a satin-textured lipstick,” says Turner. I find this to be true for people with deeper skin tones in particular, as we tend to line our lips with some type of darker liner before going in with color for that beautiful gradient effect. “This formula not only smooths the texture of the lip, but allows you to easily manipulate the texture by adding translucent powder or gloss to get your preferred look,” he adds.
Additionally, people with fair skin can benefit from balm-textured or satin peach lipsticks, because the less opaque formulas allow their natural lip color to shine through, in turn making the color more complementary on the skin.
Why Trust Marie Claire?
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion, and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
To compile this list of the best peach lipsticks, I scoured the internet and combed through countless customer reviews to find the top-rated options on the market, before testing them myself. I also asked the Marie Claire team to share and talk about their holy grail picks.
For each lipstick tested, we assessed the product's pigmentation, longevity, and overall wear time as the day went on, as well as how flattering they were across a range of skin tones.
Meet the Experts
Andrea DiSabatino is a professional hair and makeup artist and graduate of the Carsten Aveda Institute. She has worked extensively in the editorial space and on music videos, and is currently based in New York City.
Ehlie Luna is a pro makeup artist whose experience goes from key makeup artist for the New York City Ballet to freelance commercial work in 2020 allowing her to move deeper into content creation. She’s also worked with brands such as Daily Paper, Mac Cosmetics, Pattern Beauty, Beautyblender, r.e.m. beauty, UOMA Beauty, Macy’s, and more.
Theo Turner is a makeup artist and content creator.
