I tried several brands’ mauve shades on my light complexion to see which formulas, finishes, and undertones I truly love, and which ones fall short of being my ideal shade.

Here are my honest thoughts on the hottest mauve shades of the moment, all paired with the Kylie Cosmetics Precision Pout Lip Liner in Candy Pink from Shoppers Drug Mart:

This gloss formula is everything! What stands out is the creamy colour and shine– plus, it feels super hydrating on the lips. Although mauve sits between pink and violet on the colour wheel, I feel like this shade pulls more purple on me– and I don’t know how I feel about that. I think I would gravitate towards using it more as a light lip topper as opposed to a full-on lip colour, but I’m not mad at it.

The powder kiss lip + cheek mousse formula from M.A.C Cosmetics is my new favourite. I love how it applies and wears on the lips and the pigment is giving! It’s described as a mid-tone mauve pink online, but I think it pulls more berry on my lips when worn in person. I adore this shade for fall, but it feels a bit deep for everyday (personally)– I also don’t think it’s truly offering the pink/violet mauve shade I’m after. However, I will definitely keep this lippie in rotation.

The latest MAKE UP FOREVER launches are stunning! I was particularly drawn to this berry shade, hoping it would give me mauve lip shade vibes, but it came out a little darker than anticipated on my skin tone. Although it’s not quite the shade I’m looking for, I love how multi-use it is–and it’s a shade I could definitely see myself reaching for again. It may not have given me the exact mauve vibe I expected, but it’s definitely one of those hues that grows on you the more you wear it.

The silky matte texture of this lipstick makes it another fave on my list. Although it is described as another mid-tone mauve pink, I personally like how this pulls more mauve and less berry on my complexion compared to M.A.C’s More the Mehr-ier. This is a close call, but I feel like there might be a more accurate mauve out there for me.

Getting closer! This liquid lipstick from Urban Decay (available at Sephora Canada) definitely leans more pink, which I looove. However, it may be a little too pink–and not mauve enough for this search. Even if that’s the case, it’s a definite must-keep in my collection because the formula is fantastic, offering a high-shine finish and long-wear staying power.

This glowy oil-in-stick balm isn’t a mauve shade like I usually go for (it’s more pink-leaning), but I ended up loving it for its sheer, radiant glow and 24-hour hydration. My lips were left feeling smooth, nourished, and full, which was a bonus. This is perfect for toting on the go if you’re after a more hydrating pink-forward color to add to your collection!

This lip gloss (available at Sephora Canada) is a fun berry take on a traditional mauve shade. Although it looks stunning in person and feels comfortable on the lips thanks to a hydrating, moisturizing formula, I think it misses the mark when it comes to this specific search. I’m after colourways that lean more pink-violet (classic mauve) but I really love how this shade looks regardless, which means I might just have to keep it on hand for another occasion.

This is a really fun take on a traditional mauve lip color because it’s a tinted stain. What shines is how long-wearing this product is because I can pop it on and not worry about it all day! Plus, it also feels super hydrating on the lips. My only drawback is the color payoff on my fair skin–it comes across as berry-toned as opposed to pink-violet, but with that being said, it’s all about personal preference. This may be the perfect mauve shade for a deeper skin tone or someone who prefers more of a berry-mauve.

This is a definite contender when it comes to new mauve shades to add to my collection. I love how creamy the product feels when applied and how this lipstick–oil hybrid delivers rich, buildable color with up to 24 hours of hydration. My lips felt super soft, smooth, and comfortable all day (even though I had to reapply a couple of times to get the full pigment effect).

I had high hopes for this one because the swatches online looked super promising–however, the reality was that it leaned more purple-grey when applied, which I wasn’t a huge fan of. This might work as the perfect mauve for someone with a deeper complexion, but it unfortunately won’t be my go-to. I do love the full pigment, weightless mousse formula because it wears comfortably on the lips, but I would caution you to swatch this shade in store before committing to see if you love the way it looks!

This skincare-infused lip glaze is actually one of my fave lip products I have ever tried. It feels super moisturizing on the lips and gives off the perfect amount of pigment for a lip oil/gloss hybrid. I also happen to love the soft, warm pink-mauve shade it comes across as when applied. It leans slightly more rosy on my lips, but I honestly think this is an ideal mauve lip choice if you’re after something more glossy–definitely a winner in my books!

In the midst of testing lipsticks, glosses, and oils in search of the perfect mauve, I discovered my new favourite mauve-toned lip liner from MAKE UP FOR EVER. The new Wherever Walnut Light feels like the hotter, slightly edgier older sister of my longtime go-to, Wherever Walnut. I love how cool-toned it looks on my skin, making it the perfect base for so many lip combos to come.

I saw this shade go viral online–and for a good reason. I personally love this colour on me because it pulls more baby pink with hints of violet, which is similar to the lippie I am trying to replace. It’s described as a dusty mauve online, and I think that this colour payoff is exactly what I had in mind when starting this search. Plus, the soft-focus, blurred colour and 10-hour weightless longwear formula make this a go-to product for all-day wear and comfort.

Folks, we may have another winner.

After a lot of trial and error, a few shades truly stood out—especially MAKE UP FOREVER’s Wherever Walnut Light, Haus Labs PhD Hybrid Lip Glaze in Guava, and M.A.C Cosmetics Powder Kiss Hazy Matte Lipstick in Girls Weekend. While nothing will fully replace my original fave, these pink-violet picks come pretty close.

What do you think of this search–will you be adding any of these shades to your lip collection?