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Rant & Rave: Plum Lipstick

Tell us what you love and hate about...

Plum Lipstick

I don’t know if there’s a type of plum that I don’t enjoy seeing! I like warmer and cooler-toned plums, and I find finishes from matte to metallic intriguing.

— Christine

34 Comments

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Alecto Avatar

Plum seems to me to be (in some form or another) the most true-to-nature MLBB color for pretty much everyone. I mean that in the sense of picking a lipstick that looks like you’re not wearing lipstick, not like the colors that some call “MLBB”s that are berry or peach — I’m talking about natural, “no makeup” makeup. I believe this is true also for those who have naturally pink lips, as I think it’s a lot tougher to find a pink that is “greyed” or quaternary (and quinary) enough to be a natural lip color, whereas true plums have that quality built in. A fantastic color (range), that works for everyone, depending where you hit it in the spectrum (cool to warm, light to dark, etc.).

This holds true for blushes as well, and to some degree eyeshadows (though good plums are very hard to find in the eyeshadow world). I think plum is the unsung hero of makeup.

Carla Avatar

Mariella said, “Except for the plum shades that are more purple, I love everything about plum lipsticks.”
I even like the purple plums, though only occasionally; I wouldn’t sport a dark purple lip often.
I’m trying to think of my very favorite plum, but am finding it hard to single one out.
I love Illamasqua Shard, but it’s more of a “raspberry” than a “plum.”
Ah, well; off to Jane Iredale.

Nancy T Avatar

Nothing for me to hate, really, as my lips themselves are plum-brown! My one and only complaint is when a brand puts out a really deep vampy plum lipstick that applies as a patchy hot mess or feathers due to it being made too emollient. Otherwise, I love plum lips in all their glory! Warm, cool, dark, light, in between, etc. I also love its close “cousins”: rose, mauve and purple, too!

Miska Avatar

I love plum shades. I agree with Alecto…alot of them show up as a MLBB color. Some look great in the tube (Revlon’s Plumalicous comes to mind) but turn an unflattering teeth yellowing brown on my lips…yuk! And it doesn’t morph until it’s on my lips for me to tell. I think there’s a plum shade out there for everybody, you just have to find it.

Tracey E. Avatar

I have much love for plum-berry shades. Though I usually wear warm-toned lipsticks, I can wear either cool or warm in this shade range. I have difficulty wearing a plum shade has a purple or brown tone to it, in any finish.

shelby hall Avatar

I LOVE plum on everything but my cheeks. I’m super fair so it would look crazy. I just got the new #ELF matte liquid lipstick in a purple-plum. Super pigmented. It’s beautiful and my whole order was 50% off and took 2 days to get to my house. Amazing

Carla Avatar

I love plum lipstick in fall/winter!
Due to my coloring, I really can’t wear the rich browns and oranges usually associated with autumn, so I opt for shades like plums, dark reds, and berries for a fall “vibe.”
I find plums fairly easy to wear, though I do try to get my NW15 complexion looking as “flawless” as humanly possible, with the barest hint of blush, when I do a dark lip.
The only “reservation,” if it could be called that, I have about a plum lip is longevity.
When a deep shade begins to wear off, *everybody* knows it.
A good stain, like Silk Naturals “Vamp,” helps with that, though.

Lauren Avatar

Like the rest of today’s commenters, plum is my favorite. I have more plums than anything else. Bobbi Brown Luxe in Hibiscus is probably my HG fave, but I’m always looking for the next one. 🙂 Maybe something one shade lighter…? But yeah, the right plum makes the eyes pop, brightens up the face, does everything a good lipstick should do!

Stefanie Avatar

Plum is such a beautiful shade.. I managed to get a hold of Kat Von D Everlasting liquid lipstick in sinner it was an exclusive limited edition, meaning three days XD. It’s beautiful !!!Any Plum lipstick can look good on anybody that’s if you like dark shades though, because Plum usually seems to be dark.

cherie Avatar

Love plum lipsticks though I tend to veer away from more purple/lavender lipsticks. Otherwise, I’m a total sucker for the spectrum of shades.

Susana B. Avatar

Plum lipstick is my all time favorite! I wear medium toned plum all the time for work, and the darker ones are very flattering on me (I’m mediterranean with medium olive complexion). Some people dismiss it as “old lady makeup”, but I think plum is the dark horse of lipcolors.

Carla Avatar

Erin said, “I don’t look as good in the super brown ones though.”
Same here. I do best in plums that are red-based but still cool, if that makes any sense.
I have yet to find my HG plum, but looking is half the fun!
Recommendations, anyone?
Only cruelty-free companies, please.

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