Who doesn't love affordable lipsticks, that offers the perfect blend of good quality, pay off and the right tint? Especially post all the festive season shopping binge, when you need to stock up on a good lipstick, without burning a hole in your pocket! Well, here's our special series 'Beauty on a Budget' back to your rescue. Beauty on a Budget is back and this time, the spotlight is on a hot favourite among subtle shade lovers - The Nude Lipstick. The perfect office look or a stylish outfit for an important meeting is incomplete without a natural effortless nude lip colour. While bright colours always enjoy their moment under the spotlight, the nude lipstick is an under-rated warrior, that's a must have in every make up arsenal. Here's a round up of the best budget nude lipsticks under 500 INR (in no particular order). These are tried, tested and approved by Team Dancebee. So, get ready to fill your shopping cart with these budget beauty top picks.

Lakme 9 to 5 Matte Lip Color

Shade: Nude Touch

Price: Rs 359 (available on discount)

What we love: Subtle, natural shade for work meetings. Matte finish lasts quite well (approximately 4-5 hours), and doesn't appear too dry. 




What we love: The most affordable lipstick on this list! Decent colour pay off, good finish and easy to apply. For the price of a single way rickshaw fare to Bandra, this one's quite a good buy.

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What we love: Makes your lips 'blush', quite literally! We love this nude shade with pinkish tones, which is apt for a lovely brunches in between work or a date. This classy colour is a must have in every bag, and is quite affordable too! Good pay off, glides on smoothly and lasts really well.

So, I recently went shopping for a new lipstick, considering my vanity is packed with lippies in shades of red and pink. I've been on the hunt for a perfect nude lipstick, that matches my skin tone and is subtle enough for strictly formal meetings, workshops among others. I shortlisted a few favourites, before trying them out at the store and finally zeroed in on the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in 62 (Libre). It's a wonderful natural nude for my lips, and despite the matte formula, keeps your lips surprisingly hydrated (thanks to the key ingredients - Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter).

However, there is a nude lipstick made for every skin tone and blindly going in for something that suits a celebrity or your favourite MUA isn't always the right thing to do. We pick some of the hottest nude lipsticks available for Indian skin tones. After all, someone (in this case, a lipstick) somewhere is always made for you!

Light Skin Tones

Oriflame Giordani Gold Jewel Lipstick

Shade: Dusky Nude

Why do we love it? - Premium packaging, Decent Pricing
Price: Rs 550

NYX Matte Lipstick

Shade: Tea Rose


Why do we love it? - Super creamy and smooth. Perfect neutral pink / nude (depending on the undertones of your skin) for everyday wear.
Price: Rs 625

MAC Matte Lipstick
Shade: Kinda Sexy

Why do we love it? - The perfect nude that is very subtle and easy to carry with almost any look.
Price: Rs 1500


Medium Skin Tones

Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer
Shade: Bare Pop


Why do we love it? - Provides a velvety finish that lasts almost 8-9 hours. The primer ensures your lips stay smooth. Perfect for that barely there look.
Price: Rs 1650

MAC Matte Lipstick
Shade: Mehr



Why do we love it? -  This one has been the best nude shade from the house of MAC, suitable for almost every Indian skin tone.  Great texture and colour.

Price: Rs 1500

Lakmè 9 to 5 Matte Lip Colour
Shade: Coffee Command


Why do we love it? -  If you have been looking for a good daily office wear lipstick, then look no further. This is perfect for anyone with medium - olive skin tone. Good texture.

Price: Rs 450

Dark Skin Tones

MAC Matte Lipstick
Shade: Taupe


Why do we love it? -  A hot favourite among the available nude shades for darker skin tones. Perfect for a subtle, everyday look.

Price: Rs 1500


Clinique Chubby Stick
Shade: Whole Lotta Honey



Why do we love it? -  Looking for a subtle, soft tint along with very good moisturising benefits? This one's for you!

Price: Rs 1500


YSL Rouge Volupte Shine
Shade: Beige Instinct




Why do we love it? -  A great neutral brown shade with sheer finish.

Price: $37 / Rs 2600

Got a favourite? Or is there a nude lipstick that you can't do without?
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