How to wear plum lipstick with confidence

As sad as we are to say goodbye to beach days, daylight savings and flowy summer dresses, the approach of autumn does have a positive: plum lipstick.
The purple-red hue is absolutely made for the season and there was no shortage of it on the runway at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) either.
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If you’ve never tried it before, we urge you to give it a go as soon as the leaves start to change colour. Here are a few tips for how to wear the daring shade.
#1 Prep the lips
Especially if they’re dry and cracked from summer. As it’s quite dark, plum is not a very forgiving shade so ensure all traces of dead skin are removed with a lip exfoliant like Bodyography Exfoliating Lip Duo, so the colour won’t catch and accentuate dryness. Alternatively, you could also give them a gentle scrub with your toothbrush.
#2 Find your shade
As with most lipsticks, finding the right shade comes down to trial and error. But as a starting point, those with cooler skin tones (you can find out if you’re warm- or cool-toned here) will often suit darker plums that are more purple-based, like M.A.C Lipstick in Pure Heroine and Ulta3 Moisturising Lipstick in Berry Pretty. Those with warmer skin tones will be more successful starting at the redder and brighter end of the plum spectrum, with shades like Rimmel London The Only 1 Lipstick in One Of A Kind and Inika Organic Lipstick in Auburn Ambition.
Nigel Stanislaus, Australian Make-up Director for Maybelline New York, finds the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes in Divine Wine “universally flattering”, and used it on models of vast colouring for the Marissa Webb runway at NYFW. “It has suited everyone well!” he says.
#3 Play around with different techniques
You don’t always have to go bold, especially if you find dark lipstick a bit too harsh with your features. For a more subtle version, Nigel suggests to “use a dry, fluffy brush and quickly run the bristles over the lipstick and then onto your lips for a [softer] look.” You could also try focusing your application on the inner of your lips, smudging towards the outer edges for an ombre effect.
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#4 Consider the rest of your make-up
Plum is a strong colour to wear, so it’s best to keep the rest of your make-up simple and let it take centre stage. “I personally love a clean velvet face with strong lush lashes for a plum lip,” says Nigel. Be careful with cooler plum shades too, as they can sometimes wash out the complexion. So if you’re a little on the paler side, make sure to warm up your cheeks with a sweep of bronzer.
4 bronzers for pale skin:
Paula's Choice SunKissed Custom Color Bronzer
The Body Shop's Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder
#5 Nail the outfit
According to Nigel, “A plum lip looks best on neutral tones”, so if your wardrobe is as black and white as they come - you’re pretty set. Greys, browns and beiges also work really well to focus all attention on the lips, not to mention a pout of plum can really dress up an otherwise colourless outfit.
Are you a fan of the plum lip? What’s your best tip for pulling off dark shades?
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94 Member Comments
Ever since the Bh 10th b'day event I've been loving wearing the recommended MAC lippy for me which is called 'so me' and it's a nudey plum colour which can be put on dark or lighter than that.
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An interesting colour, somehow when I apply it it looks black lol
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I love this colour but it needs to be a touch lighter for me to wear it other wise I just look like a dark goth.
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I tried to wear plum but it doesn't suit me, I am a little too pale. I just makes me look goth like.
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Totally in love with a plum shade. I should use it more before winter is over!!
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Love a plum look, just gotta work it with the right outfit
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I quite like the plum shades which can vary from dark to a mid range. I have three shades which I blend to get the right colour for me.
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Nice white teeth will help too with plum shades
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I quite like it but my fair skin says no way lol
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Good for a nice night time look
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I seriously love the top picture in this article, that is such a nice plum shade.
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I love the plum and wine shades, I always like to make sure I line my lip edges really well first to try and stop any lipstick feathering.
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Definitely what you personally feel comfortable with - not for me.
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Looks lovely on the right skin tone
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I love plum lipcolours, but I'll skip the bronzer.
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I do like a good plum colour, my favourite plum colour has flecks of gold in it.
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I love the plum trend. One of my fav colours.
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Plum lips look great but you must certainly prep them first.
I gently brush my lips with my toothbrush before i go to bed at night so they are soft and smooth in the morning - ready for any shade of lippie!
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Plum lips are gorgeous, especially coming back into winter. Lush lips scrubs are the best prepping tool you can own!
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I like the look but I don't think it would suit me, think it looks better if you have darker hair and I'm blonde.
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I would look 10 years older if I went a dark plum. I can only do a plum stain.
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I love this look but can't carry it off. It ages me, my lips look small and miserable and it accentuates my lip lines too. I can wear a sheer plum however and I'm happy with the look.
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Plum and berry lips are gorgeous. Contrary to other people, I like that it makes me look paler in contrast! I can't wear these colours to work but I whip them out whenever I get a chance on the weekends :)
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I agree with you :) I have red/auburn hair and pale skin, and plums and purples have always been one of the lip shades I feel look most striking. It obviously isn't for every-single-day, though!
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want to love this but i don't..
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