Purple reign: Why we’re falling back in love with violet makeup
image via @maelys.jallali/instagram
words by lara daly
Dip your brush in.
If you’ve paid any attention to this year’s Fashion Weeks, you’ll likely have noticed a certain whimsical shade take over your feed. In the words of supermodel Adwoa Aboah, suddenly everyone is fucking with purple.
From Bottega Veneta’s lilac fringing to the royal purples at Tory Burch, violet is having a major moment, and not just in our wardrobes. After years of warm, earthy shades dominating our makeup bags, it seems we’re all ready for a cool-toned revival.
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The appeal is partly nostalgic. Anyone who grew up in the early 2000s will remember frosted lilac eyeshadow, a favourite among Y2K pop stars (and one that Zara Larsson’s current makeup artist, Sophia Sinot, is helping bring back). Then there were the statement lipsticks of the 2010s (think MAC Snob and Pure Heroine, the vampy plum collab with Lorde). More recently, the term ‘purple blush’ has amassed thousands of TikTok videos, with makeup artists unpacking the colour theory behind its mysteriously flattering finish.
As someone who was once told by a women’s magazine, at an impressionable age, that purple would make brown eyes ‘pop’, I’m hesitant to write this off as a passing trend. While the colour might seem intimidating at first, there are plenty of ways to wear it without going all-in. From sheer lip balms the colour of ripe figs to vibrant, Versace-purple blushes, here are the products I’d recommend if you’re ready to dip your toe (or brush) in.
Stila Liqua-Play Eye Shadow in Purple Peep
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A swipe of lilac on your lids is very ’70s glamourpuss Cher. It’s very fresh-faced Britney. Add some black eyeliner and sleep in it for a few nights, it’s also very Charli xcx.
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Violette_FR Yeux Paint in Reve de Dahlia
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Equally iconic, in a Lola from Shark Tale kind of way, is a twinkling purple eyeshadow. If you have green or brown eyes, play up the contrast by using this as a liquid eyeliner.
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Prada Beauty Touch Blush Wisteria
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Two cool-toned blushes make up the latest release from Prada: a soft lavender and deep violet shade designed to flatter a full spectrum of skin tones. Equally as pretty when swept over the eyelids as it is on the cheeks.
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Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Balm in Cassis
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Sheer, wearable and hydrating, this leaves your lips looking as juicy as a blackberry. It’s an easy way to experiment with purple without committing to a full-on lipstick.
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Mecca Max Zoom Flex Fluid Liquid Shadow in Lavender
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A perfect pastel shade that can be worn alone or contrasted with a dramatic black eyeliner, like this look by Sydney-based makeup artist Soraya Boularas.
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Isamaya Beauty Liplacq in Black Veil
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Glossy and editorial, I like to use this lacquer to deepen my natural lip colour (or whatever I have on underneath) by a few shades. The result is vampy and surprisingly low-maintenance.
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Violette FR Plume Blush in Souvenir de Volubilis
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Rest assured, a rich purple blush isn’t as scary as it looks. I find this gives a fresh, sporty look and is especially flattering on olive skin tones.
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Tower 28 Gogo Cooling Shimmer Eyeshadow Stick in Garden
A beginner-friendly way to wear purple is a dusting of sheer, shimmery lilac eyeshadow. Keep the rest of your makeup minimal, à la Laufey.
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Merit Solo Eye Shadow in Social
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For a slightly grungier look, try a smoky mauve shade like Social by Merit. It goes on creamy, so it’s super easy to smudge with your finger to get the desired diffused effect.
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MAC Satin Lipstick in Rebel
For the millennials reading this, have a look at the back of your makeup drawer. If you’re anything like me, there’s probably a tube of MAC Rebel or a Barney-esque Heroine lurking in there. As I rediscovered recently, a deep purple lipstick is still a very good idea. It even looks better the next day, when the initial fuchsia has worn off to a subtle stain.
Get it here.
For more spring makeup trends, try this.
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