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How to Look Fresh as Hell in Brown Lipstick

This is one of the '90s trends we're actually excited is making a comeback. Here's how to wear brown lipstick without looking like a corpse
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Brown lipstick -- yes, the kind you wore in the '90s -- is back, and looking better than ever. Need proof? Just scroll through the Instagram feeds of "It" girls like Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Joan Smalls, who have all snapped themselves wearing the throwback hue.

Because brown lipstick is bolder than a basic nude lip but less aggressive than a vampy oxblood lip, it's actually incredibly versatile. It can act as the perfect complement to a smoky or cat eye, yet still make a statement when worn with minimal makeup.

The trick to pulling off the brown lip trend, says M.A.C. Senior Artist John Stapleton, is choosing lipsticks with warm undertones. Orange- and red-based browns, he says, work well on all skin tones.

Here, 13 celebrities who nailed the brown lipstick look, and the lipsticks you need to copy them.

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Gigi Hadid's Matte Brown Lip
Gigi Hadid's matte brown lipstick pairs perfectly with her winged liner and groomed brows. To get the look, try Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick, $22, in 1993 -- an extremely pigmented, non-drying, medium brown matte. Use it with Urban Decay Glide-On Lip Pencil, $20, in 1993.

Pro tip: Apply lip liner after applying lipstick, says celebrity makeup artist Mickey Williams. Once your lipstick is on, press your lips together to see where they overlap, and then go in with the lip liner. "If you line the lips last, it makes lips look more natural even with the richest of colors," she explains.

Image via @gigihadid

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Kylie Jenner's Taupe Lipstick Look
"The stony taupe tones are a little harder for some to pull off," says Stapleton. "Those are often the 'dead' tones some fear." To avoid looking like Liv from "iZombie" (AKA, kinda dead), add life back into your face with bronzer, highlighter and defined eyes. He adds that taupe-y brown shades are definitely for the fearless trendsetter, so it's no surprise that Kylie Jenner has rocked it effortlessly. Try: M.A.C. Lip Pencil, $16.50, in Stone -- Stapleton calls it a great grey-brown lip pencil.

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Sarah Hyland's Shimmery Brown Lipstick
Here, Sarah Hyland wears an orange-hued version of the brown lipstick trend. Paired with a bronze smoky eye and matching cheeks, this look is a winner. Try: Guerlain Kiss Kiss Shaping Cream Lip Colour, $37, in Forever Brown, a pumpkin-spice-latte hued lipstick that's slightly shimmery and glossy.

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Zendaya's Warm Brown Lipstick
#Browsonfleek, a little mascara and a matte brown lipstick are all you need to look effortlessly cool. (Good lighting helps as well.)

Williams notes that brown lipstick is more flattering than oxblood, the other '90s shade making a comeback. "Brown has so many more undertones and can actually read warm and sophisticated on lips," she explains. "Look for matte formulas that have some texture to them rather than dry stains to keep lips looking fresh."

Try Nyx Matte Lipstick, $6, in Maison, a matte, neutral brown shade. Williams also likes Lancome Rouge in Love Lipcolor, $22, in Cocoa Couture -- a rich, reddish brown.

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