Mauve is the halfway house between pink and purple. On paper it sounds easy; on a face it either looks expensive and “done” or tired and grey. The usual fix is depth: very fair skin often needs a mauve with enough pink; very deep skin often needs enough berry or brown so the colour does not ash out.
Berry adds red to the mix, so it tends to be more forgiving across undertones than straight mauve-grey. If you work in an office with harsh overhead light, a mid mauve reads more polished than a pale pink, which can look sunburnt or juvenile under fluorescents.
Shades to compare
- Fenty Uncuffed — Rosy mauve; strong on medium depth.
- MAC Whirl — Dirty rose-brown; 90s lip energy.
- Berry Velvet — Plummy side of berry.
- NYX Transylvania — Deep purple statement.
- Revlon Black Cherry — Accessible berry-plum sheer.
Round out undertone vocabulary in Undertones 101, then hit Fenty and NYX hubs for the full catalogues. Try-on mauves against a bare lip photo—grey reads instantly on screen.
Shades Mentioned in This Article
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine my skin's undertone?
To determine your undertone, check if gold or silver jewelry flatters you more (gold = warm, silver = cool), see how your skin reacts to sun (burns easily = cool, tans = warm), or look at your veins (blue/purple = cool, green = warm). Neutral undertones show a mix of these characteristics.
What's the difference between warm, cool, and neutral undertones?
Warm undertones have yellow, golden, or peachy hues. Cool undertones have pink, red, or blue hues. Neutral undertones have a balance of both warm and cool tones. Understanding your undertone helps you choose lipstick shades that complement your natural coloring.
Can my undertone change?
No, your undertone is genetic and remains constant throughout your life. However, your skin tone (lightness/darkness) can change with sun exposure, age, or health conditions. Your undertone stays the same regardless of how tan or pale you are.
What lipstick shades suit warm undertones?
Warm undertones look best in lipsticks with warm, peachy, caramel, or golden tones. Great options include MAC Velvet Teddy, warm reds like MAC Lady Danger, and peachy nudes. Avoid cool-toned pinks and blue-reds which can clash with warm skin.
What lipstick shades suit cool undertones?
Cool undertones look best in lipsticks with pink, mauve, or blue tones. Great options include MAC Ruby Woo (blue-red), Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk (pink-nude), and berry shades. Avoid orange-toned or warm browns which can look unnatural on cool skin.
What lipstick shades suit neutral undertones?
Neutral undertones can wear both warm and cool shades, making them the most versatile. Neutral nudes, balanced reds, and mauve shades work beautifully. You can experiment with a wider range of colors than warm or cool undertones.
How does undertone affect lipstick color?
Your undertone affects how lipstick colors appear on your skin. Warm undertones enhance warm-toned lipsticks and can make cool-toned shades look off. Cool undertones enhance cool-toned lipsticks and can make warm shades look unnatural. Matching undertones creates harmony.