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The Best Vampy Lip Colors for Every Skin Tone

We know: A dark lip can be intimidating. Case in point: every Disney villain that ever lived. But a deep, vampy lip color is also a super easy and fun way to switch up your look. (Date night, anyone?) Here, a guide to help you pick the perfect bold color for your skin tone.

vampy lip saoirse
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Fair

Fair-skinned beauties: Channel your inner Snow White with a deep, Merlot-red lip that will complement your skin while also adding extra oomph to your alabaster complexion. For that faded ombré trend Saoirse is rocking, apply your lipstick on the outer parts of your lips and blend the color toward the center of your pout with a lip brush. Balance out the dark mouth by adding a light peach or lavender shadow on eyelids while going easy on the liner.

Get the look: Hourglass ($28); NARS ($34); Yves Saint Laurent ($36)

vampy lip lily
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Light

Pale skin doesn’t have to mean light makeup. Try a matte purple like Lily's to add subtle contrast to the bluish undertones in your ivory complexion instead of skewing "Maleficent" with a blood red. Keep the rest of your look simple with a subtle contour and a tiny bit of shadow.

Get the look: Sephora ($8); Jeffree Star Cosmetics ($18); Fenty Beauty by Rihanna ($18)

vampy lip gigi
Jamie Mccarthy/Getty Images

Medium

A bold purple lip is the perfect statement pout for medium tones to complement the peachy orange undertones in your skin. Choose a rich violet hue that brings out your warm pigments and accentuates your perpetual tan, then pop a clear gloss or shimmery eye shadow on the center of your lips to fake a fuller pout. (Oh, and don't forget to pucker up for the camera, you supermodel, you.)

Get the look: Lime Crime ($20); Stila ($22); Smashbox ($24)

vampy lips chrissy
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Olive

True, Chrissy Teigen can pull off any beauty trend she wants. But trust us, this berry lip is super flattering for olivey skin tones. Grab an oxblood shade with more red than purple to enhance your warm sun-kissed skin without making you appear too yellow-y. And if you really want to go all out (like you are headed to the Oscars, 'natch), old Hollywood curls will complete your look.

Get the look: Sephora ($14); Urban Decay Cosmetics ($17); Anastasia Beverly Hills ($20)

vampy lips rihanna
Lester Cohen/Getty Images

Rich

If your skin's got rich, golden undertones, you can opt for a more dramatic matte chocolate shade that will appear more berry and less brown against your warm caramel skin. Just make sure to line lips with a matching shade to prevent the bold color from migrating over your lip line.

Get the look: ColourPop ($7); Kat Von D ($20); Huda Beauty ($20)

vampy lips viola davis
Jeff Vespa/Getty Images

Deep

Imitate Viola with an ultra-glossy plum color to draw in light and attention to your vampy pout, which also makes your lips appear fuller. The dark purple pigments in the shade complement your skin while still looking naturally elegant and not overdone. Complete the look with a rosy blush and a smudged black eyeliner on both the top and bottom lash line to make your eyes pop.

Get the look: NYX ($7); Maybelline ($8); Make Up for Ever ($20)



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Freelance PureWow Editor