Purple is a versatile shade that comes in many iterations, making it a sought-after color when it comes to trying new eyeshadow, cheek, and even lip looks. From deep plums to soft lilacs, purple makeup has been blooming all over celebrity faces as of late, giving us plenty of inspiration. Here, see our favorite purple makeup looks—plus how to recreate them on your own.
The Glitter-Bomb Liner
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We love Selena Gomez in dramatic winged eyeliner (and in any other state for that matter). This sultry statement eyeliner look captures just the right amount of purple and glitter, landing a spot on our list of must-try looks. The key here is to make sure the purple is visible enough to stand out. For this look, use a creamy eyeliner in a purple tone that will stay put, then make the wing as dramatic as you'd like. Top it off with your favorite glitter pigment or sparkly eyeshadow, add some liner to the bottom of the inner shelf of the eye, and finish with your favorite mascara.
Soft Lilac Lids
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This soft lilac eyeshadow looks stunning on Vanessa Hudgens, and is the perfect example of using color all over the eye while keeping things minimal. The purple shadow is blended just right all the way out to the tail of the eyebrow, and a soft highlight is applied right under the brow bone to tie everything together. For this look, you can use a few varying shades of purple from an eyeshadow compact, plus a soft, fluffy brush for seamless blending.
The Perfect Pout
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There's nothing better than minimal makeup brought to life by a powerful pout. This magenta lipstick with a touch of fuchsia is perfect for Priyanka Chopra, and the metallic shine adds that certain je ne sais quoi. Since there are multiple tones and variations of purple, you can use any color you feel suits you the best. With soft eyeshadow and mascara, the lip steals the show and is perfect for those who want to incorporate color into their makeup look, but want to take things one step at a time.
A Marvel of Metallic
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Winnie Harlow rocks this metallic "blurple" shadow and looks divine, while the rest of the face is soft—focusing all the attention on her royal purple lids. Metallic glints reflect light in all the right places, creating an impactful, non-traditional smokey eye. To recreate Winnie's look on your own canvas, pat plenty of metallic shadow from lid to create for as much color payoff as possible.
Vivid and Violet
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This wash of vivid violet on Lily Collins looks beautiful alongside nude lips, tight eyeliner, and her iconic bushy brows. To create this monochromatic eyeshadow look, a warm purple hue will do the trick. Apply with an eyeshadow brush on the eyelids (to make them the focal point) and blend up into the crease with an eye shader brush. To mimic this exact look, dip a spoolie in pomade for thick, elongated brows.
Lavender Halo
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This lavender look on Olivia Munn is the perfect example of how to tie eyeshadow and blush together in the same color family while still making it look elevated. The majority of the color is on the eye, but you can see the purple-tinted highlighter on the cheek as well, bringing in different textures and elements of the same color family for a seamless monochromatic beauty look. All you need is one eyeshadow, then lightly sweep a powdered highlighter with purple iridescent tones as a finishing touch on top of blush.
Moody Mauve
Here featured on Shay Mitchell, wee see a moody purple tapping into the rich tones that deep plums can bring, while the eyes and cheeks are dusted with a soft mauve. Color is delicately blended all throughout the face, with the grand finale being those perfectly shaped lips with a punch of color. Using an eyeshadow and blush in the same color family—whether it be a pressed powder or creamy multi-stick—is key to keeping the look monochromatic. Finish with a deeper-toned lipstick of your choice, and be sure to take your time applying it so the edges and shape stay clean.
Soft Magenta Liner
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This magenta eyeliner and shadow combo look on January Jones is a total win in our book. Here, shadow is blended softly on the eye, and the color comes in ever so slightly in the corners of the eye and underneath the waterline. With a soft blush in the same color family and just a touch of gloss, the focus remains on the eyes (and they're totally mesmerizing). Use a bright eyeliner to line the top and bottom of the eye, and smudge it with your finger to help blend it out. To finish it off, buff some cream blush on the apples of the cheeks, and finish with a light lip gloss.
Perfectly Pastel
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This pastel purple lid on Yara Shahidi is the eye moment of our dreams—all color and easy application. All you need is one pastel eyeshadow for the lid, a touch of liquid eyeliner, and several coats of mascara. Blend your favorite pastel purple all over the lid and crease of the eye. Since lighter shades fade the fastest, use an eyeshadow primer for extra staying power.
A Touch of Orchid
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As if we could expect anything less from Rihanna, this playful look incorporates a stunning orchid lip tied in with an abstract winged eyeliner look with stunning variations of color. You don't need to wear as many colors as pictured here, but even two different liner shades can completely transform your look. Just coordinate one of your shades (orchid) with a coordinating lipstick to get Rihanna's look.