5 Girls, 1 Moody Purple MAC Lipstick

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At first glance, MAC's Heroine matte purple lipstick ($16) can seem intimidating. While most of us have experimented with bright reds or glossy pinks, bold purple can seem like a difficult color to pull off. But stunning celebrities like Lorde and Rooney Mara prove that it's certainly a wearable, red-carpet-ready shade. To illustrate why this of-the-moment hue is one you should try — like, this weekend — we tested it on a diverse beauty group of real girls. Read on to see how it can work for your skin tone.

"My coloring is similar to Lorde's in that I have dark hair and pale skin. So while I tested out this shade for the office, I'd follow Lorde's lead for the weekend and pair it with a winged eyeliner and dewy, porcelain skin." — Lauren Levinson

"A makeup artist once told me that purple is a universally flattering shade for all skin tones, but looking at the bullet in the tube, I never would've thought I could pull off this a lipstick this bold. I loved that a thin layer made it look like a vibrant pink shade on my lips, but with more application, it came out more saturated. I would swipe this on over lip balm on my lips for a toned-down version, and I'd go for the amped-up shade to head somewhere after work. All I really need is a little eyeliner and mascara, so my lips stand out!" — Kaitlyn Dreyling

"There's something about this cyber color that makes me feel like I should be in that futuristic TLC 'No Scrubs' video with all the leather, but the purple shade comes off superbright on my brown skin tone." — Jessica Cruel

"A lipstick this vibrant basically speaks for itself, so I'd keep the rest of my makeup simple: loads of mascara, some liner between my upper lashes, and a quick swipe of bronzer. I think this is going to be my go-to look for my downtown jaunt this New Year's Eve." — Maria Del Russo

"I was pleasantly surprised that a purple lip actually complements my blond hair! This color is bright and energizing, and I feel ready to hit the town right this instant." — Aemilia Madden

Check out the shade in action below!