What is a good purple lipstick? The answer depends on whether you have a passion for gloss or prefer a velvety matte finish. Your skin tone also matters, but surprisingly it’s less important when it comes to purple. The best purple lipsticks look fabulous on pretty much everyone because this bold color is both cool and warm.
If you’re not sure, check out all the celebs like Emma Watson and Kim Kardashian wearing bright grape, deep wine, and berry shades. Yes, there’s purple lip color for almost anyone these days.
Choose your new favorite lavender, dark purple, or luscious violet lipstick below.
| The best purple lipsticks | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick, Some Nerve |
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| REVLON Super Lustrous The Luscious Mattes Lipstick, in Purple |
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| MAC Matte Lipstick HEROINE |
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| Chanel ROUGE COCO Jean |
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| Glossier Generation G - Jam |
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| TOO FACED Throwback Lipstick - Cheers to 20 Years Collection Pixie Stick |
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| COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Lipstick Metallic, Steal |
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| NYX Waterproof Liquid Suede Lipstick Amethyst |
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| Kat Von D Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick - Roxy |
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| Tom Ford Boys and Girls Lip Color, 12 Georgie |
|
Best Purple Lipsticks in 2024
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick, Some Nerve
Pros:
- Light purple liquid lipstick with a matte finish
- Lasts for up to eight hours
- Precision doe-foot applicator
- Conditions the skin with primer oil but not greasy or sticky
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- It’s a little tube
REVLON Super Lustrous The Luscious Mattes Lipstick, in Purple
Pros:
- Velvety satin finish in a rich purple color
- Creamy and conditioning with moringa oil and botanicals
- Surprisingly long-lasting
Cons:
- At this price, it’s tempting to buy more lipstick than we need
MAC Matte Lipstick HEROINE
lip brush instead of using the bullet tube by itself.
Obviously, this is MAC lipstick, so you know two things will be true. First, it’s super-pigmented so there’s no need to waste time layering or touching up. That’s right, it won’t rub off on your glass, either. And second, even though it’s matte, it’s not drying. With that said, don’t neglect to moisturize your lips at nighttime.
Pros:
- Universally flattering shade with a flat matte finish
- Highly pigmented and long-lasting, doesn’t smudge or rub off
- Lightly moisturizing
Cons:
- Not cheap, but worth every penny
Chanel ROUGE COCO Jean
Chanel makes the best purple lipstick for fair skin. Jean from the Rouge Coco collection is sheer and hydrating, more like lip gloss than lipstick. If you need a bolder look, use a liner like the matching Le Crayon Levres.
What makes this purple lipstick unique? Besides the pleasing shade, the first thing you’ll notice is the way it melts into place. It’s made with three nourishing vegetable waxes (sunflower, jojoba, and mimosa) that seal in moisture. At the same time, silicone microbeads and a polymer film add shine and keep the color in place.
Pros:
- Excellent shade for fair skin
- Sheer, slightly shiny, and hydrating
- Vegetable waxes and a polymer film lock in moisture and color
- Can be made bolder with lip liner
Cons:
- It blew our lipstick budget for the month
Glossier Generation G – Jam
Pros:
- Behaves like a lip stain without causing dryness
- Matte finish, a bit sheer
- Adaptable pigment adjusts to different skin shades
- Ideal for casual wear
Cons:
- Not as purplish as we hoped
TOO FACED Throwback Lipstick – Pixie Stick
Pros:
- Flashback to 1988 with a metallic shimmer purple
- Comfortable feel, creamy texture
- Features avocado oil to keep lips soft
Cons:
- Not for the shy
COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Lipstick Metallic, Steal
Pros:
- Shimmery, shiny metallic in a true purple shade
- Looks good on pretty much anyone regardless of skin tone
- Affordable and shockingly long-lasting
- Moisturizing and creamy with shea butter
Cons:
- Contains parabens
NYX Waterproof Liquid Suede Lipstick Amethyst
Pros:
- Royal purple lipstick with the perfect velvet finish
- Nearly effortless to apply with the doe-foot applicator
- Waterproof and long-wearing
- Paraben-free and packed with skin conditioning ingredients
Cons:
- We tried hard but couldn’t find any cons – it’s even budget-friendly
Kat Von D Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick – Roxy
Pros:
- Goes on like gloss but dries to a satin finish
- Intensely pigmented for long-wearing color
- Comes in a nifty textured tube
Cons:
- Perfectly purple and perhaps too bold for some
Tom Ford Boys and Girls Lip Color, 12 Georgie
Pros:
- Shimmery and semi-opaque with a cool undertone and a hint of red
- Semi-gloss finish that feels like lip balm
- Very moisturizing
Cons:
- Not as opaque as some options, might require two applications
Conclusion
It’s never a question of go bold or go home. There are purple lipsticks for every personality, skin tone, and activity. You’re never limited as you can get matte, satiny, or glossy finishes as well as liquid or a traditional bullet lipstick.
Don’t be afraid to try on purple lipstick any time of year. What was once a traditional Fall color is now universally enjoyed year-round.
We hope our reviews helped you discover your new favorite lipstick today. If you’re loving it, tell us all about it in the comments below.