We got a great question from a reader who loves dark, atmospheric lipsticks and wants something similarly dramatic (but lighter!) for summer. She doesn't like bright pink, coral, or nude, so we were thinking... purple? The smoky pastel option would be a greige-shade like YSL Volupté Sheer Candy in Iced Plum or, if she prefers matte, OCC Crème Colour Concentrate in Miriam.

On the bright end of the spectrum, a highly pigment violet feels cool but distinctly not wintry. For example, Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Violet is the kind of color so vivid it telegraphs from across the pool (and also works really well in beach vacation photos). If “statement' is a dirty word for you though, Ilia Lipstick in Jump is a similar hue that's not quite so much.

You could also always mix your pastel purple in on top of a light layer of your usual deep lipstick for a faded-out 90s take on the look.

What're your thoughts? Which color is the ultimate summer shade for you?