There’s a Mauve Lipstick for Every Skin Tone — Find Your Match

August 08, 2023
Jazmine A. Ortiz
By: Jazmine A. Ortiz | Makeup.com by L'Oréal
Collage of the Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Mover and the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Road Tripping on a pink and orange gradient graphic background

Somewhere in between pink and purple lives mauve, a rosy, almost neutral shade that, when applied to lips, creates that coveted “your lips but better” effect. The color works for every season and looks great on everyone — seriously. There are several variations of the shade, so we recommend looking at your skin tone to choose the perfect mauve lipstick for you. With all of that said, keep scrolling for our tips for wearing mauve lipstick, plus meet the perfect mauve match for your skin tone. 

How to Wear Mauve Lipstick

When it comes to wearing mauve lipstick, there really are no rules. Wear it when you need a break from true neutral or pink shades, or when you’re feeling a bold purple lipstick but need something more toned-down. Mauve lips look great with matching mauve eyeshadow or a brown smoky eye.

Mauve Lipstick for Light Skin Tones

Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond Glossy Longwear Liquid Lipstick in OG Backtalk

This liquid lipstick gives your lips a high-shine, pigmented flush of mauve color. Unlike most shiny lipsticks, this one boasts a long-wearing formula that stays glossy and vibrant for up to 16 hours.

Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond Glossy Longwear Liquid Lipstick in OG Backtalk

NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Flaunt It

This full-bodied mauve molds to your lips to accentuate their shape and create the appearance of fuller-looking lips. Don’t forget to let the matte formula dry for about 60 seconds to really lock in the long-wearing, matte color.

NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lingerie XXL Matte Liquid Lipstick in Flaunt It

Valentino Beauty Liquirosso 2-in-1 Lip & Blush Soft Matte Color in Catch Me If You Can

This peach-meets-mauve shade is especially flattering on fair skin with warm or yellow undertones. It’s multipurpose, so you can dot it on your lips and cheeks for a rosy, monochromatic look.

Valentino Beauty Liquirosso 2-in-1 Lip & Blush Soft Matte Color in Catch Me If You Can

Mauve Lipsticks for Medium Skin Tones

Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick in Crushed Rose

If you have warm undertones, this stunning rose-mauve shade will enhance your natural skin and lip tone. This formula is super creamy, saturated and hydrates for hours.

Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick in Crushed Rose

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Road Tripping

Drench your lips in matte, pinky-mauve color with this goes-with-everything hue. The powdery matte formula delivers bold color payoff that lasts all day without drying out your lips. 

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick in Road Tripping

Kosas Wet Stick in Tropic Bliss

This lipstick-balm hybrid is smooth, creamy and never drying. Inside the formula, you’ll find nourishing ceramides and squalane that will give your lips a decadent dose of moisture. We’re partial to the shade Tropic Bliss, a rosy mauve that gives serious ’90s vibes. 

Kosas Wet Stick in Tropic Bliss

Mauve Lipsticks for Deep Skin Tones

Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Mover

For a deep mauve shade, Mover is our pick. The shade is subdued yet rich, and the ultra-matte formula will stay put all day. 

Maybelline New York SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in Mover

Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Power Longwear Satin Lipstick in Mystery

These lipsticks are worth every penny for their moisturizing formula, satiny feel and all-day wear. If you have dark skin, the shade Mystery will make for the perfect subtle mauve on your complexion. 

Giorgio Armani Beauty Lip Power Longwear Satin Lipstick in Mystery

Pat McGrath Labs SatinAllure Lipstick in Nude Romantique

Nude Romantique is the perfect marriage of mauve and pink for deep skin tones. We recommend topping the lipstick with a chestnut brown lip liner for a subtle ombré lip that will look just as gorgeous at work as it will at happy hour.
Pat McGrath Labs SatinAllure Lipstick in Nude Romantique
Visual Designer: Juliana Campisi Additional Reporting By: Ariel Wodarcyk

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