Colors come and go. Seriously, look at any makeup aisle from five years ago and you’ll see a graveyard of "must-have" palettes and lip kits that nobody touches anymore. But then there’s The Only One Naked. If you’ve spent any time scrolling through beauty forums or hunting for that specific, elusive "your lips but better" vibe, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s a Rimmel London classic that somehow survived the Great Matte Liquid Lipstick War of 2016 and the clean-girl aesthetic shift of the 2020s.
It’s just a lipstick. Right?
Well, sort of. But for a certain subset of beauty enthusiasts, it’s basically the Holy Grail of neutrals. It’s that one tube that lives in the bottom of your purse, losing its cap, getting covered in lint, yet you still reach for it over the $40 designer versions. Why? Because it’s predictable in a world where lighting and skin undertones usually turn "nude" lipsticks into "corpse-chic" or "bright orange" disasters.
What Makes The Only One Naked Actually Different?
Usually, when a brand releases a "nude" collection, it’s a gamble. You’ve got the pink-nudes, the brown-nudes, and the ones that look like concealer. Rimmel’s "The Only One" range was built on a specific formulaic promise: high pigment, moisture, and long wear. It was supposed to be the "one" lipstick that did everything. While most of the line was fine, shade 700—The Only One Naked—hit a weirdly perfect sweet spot in the color wheel.
It’s a cool-toned mauve-nude. That’s the secret.
Most drugstore lipsticks lean heavily into warm pigments because they’re cheaper to stabilize. But The Only One Naked has this specific balance of grey and lilac undertones that mimics the natural flush of human lips. It doesn’t try to mask the lip color; it just... enhances it. I’ve seen this look wildly different on someone with fair, porcelain skin versus someone with a deeper olive complexion. On the former, it looks like a sophisticated, moody neutral. On the latter, it’s a brightening, everyday pink.
The formula matters too. It’s a hybrid. You get the slip of a balm but the "oomph" of a traditional cream. It’s not one of those "all-day wear" products that leaves your lips feeling like a desert by 3:00 PM. Instead, it wears off gracefully. You know that ring of death some lipsticks leave? This doesn't do that. It just fades into a soft stain.
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The Science of the "Universal" Nude
Is anything truly universal? Honestly, probably not. But dermatologists and color theorists often talk about the "natural lip border" or the vermilion border. The Only One Naked works because it stays within the color family of that specific tissue.
When you apply a lipstick that’s too warm (too much yellow or orange), it can make your teeth look yellow and your skin look sallow. If it’s too cool, you look washed out. This shade sits right on the fence. It’s got enough red to keep you looking alive and enough blue/grey to keep it sophisticated. It’s why people compare it to much more expensive shades like Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk or MAC’s Velvet Teddy.
But it’s cheaper. Much cheaper.
Why the Hype Never Really Died
Google Discover loves a comeback story. The Only One Naked didn't need one because it never really left. It’s a "sleeper hit." While brands are busy launching 50-shade collections with influencers, this single tube keeps selling because of word-of-mouth.
- Accessibility. You can find it at a pharmacy at midnight if you really need to.
- The Scent. It has that classic, slightly fruity Rimmel scent that hits a nostalgia button for anyone who grew up in the 2000s.
- The Bullet Shape. It’s teardrop-shaped. It sounds like a small detail, but it allows for precision without needing a lip liner. You can do it in the rearview mirror of your car without looking like a clown.
Dealing with the Discontinuation Rumors
Every few months, a panic ripples through the makeup community. "Is it discontinued?" "I can't find it at my local Boots!" "Amazon is out of stock!"
The truth is that Rimmel often refreshes their packaging or focuses on newer lines like the "Lasting Finish" or "Provocalips." The Only One Naked has been shuffled around in different territories. In some regions, it’s harder to find under the original "The Only One" branding and appears in updated slim-stick formats. This scarcity actually fuels the fire. When people find a "nude" that doesn't make them look like they've been eating chalk, they buy three tubes at once.
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It’s a classic supply and demand issue. The demand for a non-fussy, non-drying, mid-toned neutral is eternal.
The Understated Versatility
You can use this for a 90s grunge look if you pair it with a dark liner like MAC’s Whirl. Or, you can pat it on with your fingers for a soft, blurred "French girl" effect. It’s a chameleon.
I’ve seen makeup artists use it as a cream blush in a pinch. Because of the moisturizing core, it blends into the skin without grabbing onto dry patches. It gives that "just came in from the cold" flush that is incredibly hard to fake with powder products.
How to Get the Most Out of The Only One Naked
If you’ve managed to snag a tube, don't just swipe it on and go. There are ways to make this $8 lipstick look like a $50 professional application.
- Exfoliate first. Since it’s a cream-based formula, it will highlight any peeling skin. A quick scrub with a damp washcloth does wonders.
- Layering is key. One swipe is sheer. Three swipes is a full-on opaque lip.
- The Tissue Trick. Blot after the first layer, then apply a second. This "melts" the wax into your lips and makes it stay put through a cup of coffee.
- Avoid the "Overline" Trap. Because this shade has a bit of grey in it, overlining too much can make the shadow look like a literal mustache. Stay close to your natural line.
What This Shade Says About Modern Beauty
We are tired. We are tired of 12-step routines and lip kits that require a degree in structural engineering to apply. The enduring popularity of The Only One Naked is a rebellion against the "perfect" Instagram face. It’s a "toss it in your bag and forget about it" product.
It represents a shift back to utilitarian beauty. We want things that work. We want things that don't require a tutorial to understand.
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Is it the most exciting product in the world? No. Is it a neon-shifting-multichrome-liquid-to-powder-miracle? Nope. It’s a mauve lipstick in a plastic tube. But in an industry that tries to sell us a new "revolution" every Tuesday, there is something deeply comforting about a product that just does exactly what it says on the tin.
Real-World Comparison: The Nude Spectrum
To understand why this specific shade holds its ground, you have to look at the competition.
If you go for a "peach" nude, you’re stuck in the 1960s mod look—great for a photoshoot, weird for a grocery run. If you go for a "brown" nude, you’re firmly in the 90s—cool, but can feel heavy. The Only One Naked is the bridge. It’s the "Goldilocks" of the lipstick world. It’s just right.
I’ve talked to women who have used this same shade for five years. They don't care about trends. They care that they don't have to think about their face when they’re wearing it. That’s the highest compliment you can pay to a beauty product. It gives you confidence without demanding your attention.
Actionable Steps for the Perfect Lip
If you’re looking to find your version of this "holy grail" or want to make your current tube of The Only One Naked work harder, follow these specific steps:
- Identify Your Undertone: Look at the veins on your wrist. If they’re blue/purple, you’re cool-toned, and this shade will be your best friend. If they’re green, you’re warm-toned, and this might look a bit more "purple" on you than "nude."
- Check the Batch: If you’re buying online, look for the "700" code. Brands often change names but keep numbers.
- The Blot Test: To see if a nude shade actually suits you, apply it, then blot it almost entirely off. If the remaining stain looks like a natural part of your face, you’ve found the one.
- Proper Storage: Because of the high moisture content (all those oils and waxes), don't leave this in a hot car. It will melt and lose its structural integrity faster than a matte lipstick.
- Pairing: Keep the rest of your makeup simple. This shade shines best with a bit of mascara and a clean brow. It’s the "no-makeup makeup" MVP.