Girlfriends, I know how tricky it can be to pick out the perfect makeup look when you’ve got a lavender dress to wear.
Trust me, I’ve been there!
Just last weekend I was getting ready for a wedding and couldn’t decide what colors would compliments my lilac gown.
After trying just about every shade in my makeup bag, I ended up with a hot mess on my face.
Don’t worry – I’ve learned a thing or two about pairing cosmetics with purple since then. Let me share with you gals my top picks for makeup colors that will make your lavender dress pop in all the right ways.
Two makeup shades that are guaranteed to flatter any lavender dress are rose gold and berry tones.
Whether you go for a subtle shimmer or a bold pop of color, these hues will play nicely off the lavender without clashing.
Top 15+ Makeup Colors for Your Lavender Dress
Rose Gold Eyeshadow
A subtle rose gold eyeshadow is one of the best complements to a lavender dress.
The soft pinkish-gold glow works beautifully to accentuate your eye color without being too bold. Look for a rose gold shade with flecks of shimmer but not glitter.
Sweep it all over your lids and even up to your brow bone for a look that’s elegant and polished. Rose gold pairs especially well with light or pastel lavender.
A few brand and shade recommendations if you need some rose gold inspo: Urban Decay’s “Apathy” eyeshadow single, NARS “Adoration” mini eyeshadow palette, and ColourPop “Element” pressed powder shadow.
The soft pinkish-gold glow works beautifully to accentuate your eye color without being too bold.
Look for a rose gold shade with flecks of shimmer but not glitter. Sweep it all over your lids and even up to your brow bone for a look that’s elegant and polished. Rose gold pairs especially well with light or pastel lavender.
The rosy undertones in a rose gold eyeshadow play off the faint pinkish tones that are often found in lavender fabrics. While lavender can skew more cool-toned, the warmth of rose gold offsets it perfectly for a harmonious look.
Think of rose gold as a natural “bridging” shade between your eyes and the dress that ties the colors together seamlessly.
Because rose gold isn’t too dark, rich or cool-toned, it won’t overwhelm or compete with a lighter lavender dress the way deeper colors could. The subtle shimmer also adds just the right touch of luminous glamour without being over-the-top.
Sweep it across your eyelids and up to the brow bone where it catches the light for an eye-opening effect.
Proper blending is key when using rose gold eyeshadow so there are no harsh lines.
Take the shadow above the crease as well, blending it well upwards toward your brow bone. This diffused application makes your eyes glow without looking like you tried too hard.
The result is romantic, pretty and polished—a look that does justice to both your eyes and a delicate lavender dress.
Rose gold eyeshadow is the perfect neutral bridge between you and your lavender frock.
The pale shimmering pinky-gold shade flatters any eye color while complementing rather than competing with pastel purple.
It’s my top choice for luminous eyes that shine without stealing the show from a pretty lavender number.
Berry Lipstick
When it comes to lip colors, my top pick is a rich berry shade.
Think deep wine, plum or burgundy hues.
These colors have enough depth and richness to stand out against a lighter lavender dress without seem too Barbie-esque.
Go bold with a creamy matte berry lipstick or keep it soft with a pinky-mauve tinted balm. Either way, berry lips are a no-brainer with your lavender look.
A few of my fave berry lippies: MAC “Ruby Woo”, Sephora Collection “Always Red”, and Milani “Matte Darling”. Apply a berry lip and you’re guaranteed to get compliments on how well it pulls the lavender ensemble together. The purple and red tones complement each other perfectly for a feminine, on-trend look.
Smokey Purple Eyes
Deeper plum and eggplant shades ground the look, giving definition to your crease and outer “V” shape.
These richer tones complement the lavender in a way that neutrals can’t, playing up the color theme.
Start by applying the darker shades and blending them upward, outward and into your brow bone.
Then sweep on a lighter lilac, periwinkle or lavender all over your lid. Blending this lighter shade into the crease prevents a stark inner corner and makes the colors meet seamlessly.
The end result is multidimensional, dimensional and engaging to look at without being overpowering paired with your lavender dress.
A few coats of black or very dark brown mascara and eyeliner finish the look by making eyes pop without drawing away from the soft lavender ensemble.
The balancing of deep and light purples echoes the mixtures of tones often found within lavender fabrics themselves.
A smokey purple eye creates an intentionally artistic look that takes your lavender dress to a more fashion-forward place.
When executed well, it shows your style and individuality while enhancing the vivid color of the dress in a memorable way.
Blush Complements
Cool-toned blushes harmonize beautifully with the faint undertones often found in lavender fabrics. Warm blushes could cause your look to tip into mismatched colors. Pinks, mauves and berry shades echo the delicate floral nuances of lavender.
Apply your blush a little higher than usual, placing it along the top of your cheekbone. This accents your bone structure and gives you a youthful glow without looking clownish. Blending it well upwards into your temples prevents a stark line of demarcation.
Go light on the application too – your cheeks should complement rather than compete with your lavender dress. Less is more when it comes to blush! Draping the color across the apples of your cheeks makes your skin look lit-from-within rather than painted-on.
The right blush shade and application technique ensures your face flatters the dress without detracting attention from it.
Subtle pops of cool-toned pink, mauve or berry on your cheekbones creates a cohesive color scheme that pulls your whole lavender look together seamlessly.
Apply your blush a little higher than usual to accentuate those cheekbones! Some standout blush shades include NARS “Orgasm”, Tarte “Exposed”, and Clinique “Pink Spice”. My personal favorite is the ColourPop Super Shock blush in “Between The Sheets” – the pale mauve color is perfection for a subtle hint of rosy color.
A few blush tips: Make sure to blend, blend, blend so there’s no harsh lines. Go light on the application too – you don’t want your cheeks competing with the dress. Draping your blush apples to cheeks will give you a youthful glow without looking clownish.
Bronze Eyeshadow
For a sophisticated daytime or casual evening look, sweeps of bronze eyeshadow are perfect. Shades like bronze, burnt orange and deep taupes flatter any eye color while complementing lavender dresses beautifully.
The warmth and richness of bronze balances out lighter lavender fabrics without overpowering them. While lavender can lean cool-toned, bronze acts as a neutral transition shade that bridges the eyes with the slightly warmer undertones often found in lavender materials.
Choose bronze eyeshadows with dimensional shimmer but not glitter.
This adds luminosity to your eyes without looking over-the-top. Sweep bronze shades into the crease and blend well up towards your brow bone. This diffused application makes eyes pop subtly without competing with your dress.
Line your upper lash line with a bronze-brown pencil to match the eyeshadow. Make sure to smudge and blend out any harsh lines so the look stays ultra-feminine and polished when paired with something as delicate as a lavender dress.
Bronze eyeshadow creates a complementary look with lavender through its mixing of depth and warmth. It gives eyes definition and pop without overwhelming a softer pastel ensemble. Your gorgeous lavender dress and bronze eye makeup will harmonize beautifully!
Pink Neutral Eyes
Soft pink-toned browns and mauves are perfect for a feminine, daytime-friendly eye that still pulls inspiration from a lavender dress. Think shades like pinky sand, dusty rose and mauve.
These delicate pastel shades won’t compete with lighter lavender dresses like brighter tones could. They echo the subtle floral nuances often found in lavender fabrics.
Sweep lighter shades all over the lid and blend into the crease seamlessly.
A light dusting of shimmery pale pink on the center of the lid adds dimension and makes eyes pop in a subtle way. This shimmer mimics the iridescence that many lavender tones have when caught in the light.
Line upper lashline with a matching nude or pale pink pencil and smudge it lightly for natural definition. A coat of mascara ties the look together without overwhelming your pretty purple dress.
Soft pink neutrals are an excellent daytime complement to lavender as they flatter any complexion without detracting from your colorful frock. Eyes will glow while still allowing the dress to shine!
Lilac Liner
For a pretty yet subtle pop, lining your upper lash line with a coordinating lilac or lavender pencil completes your lavender look. Because it matches the dress color rather than contrasts, it won’t visually compete.
A light line of lilac elongated your eyes and makes them stand out without drawing too much attention away from the dress. The tonal complement enhances your whole look cohesively.
Smudge the liner gently along your upper lash line with your fingertip or a smudging tool. This creates a soft, blended wash of color rather than a harsh line. It looks natural and ethereal paired with lavender fabric.
Opt for a creamy formula like Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Lavender over a waxy liner. This applies seamlessly without skipping or getting caught in lid creases.
A subtle lift of lilac liner is perfect for a day wedding guest look or casual day party ensemble. It flatters the lavender without overwhelming the delicate floral dress vibes. Your eyes will shine in a coordinated yet understated way!
Highlighter
A swipe of subtle highlighter is essential for bringing out your best features when wearing a lavender dress. Look for pale shimmering shades in the champagne, rose gold or lilac family.
These soft iridescent colors capture the ethereal quality that makes lavender so romantic. They won’t overtake your dress like bar glitter or stark white could.
Choose a formula with micro-fine shimmer, not chunky glitter.
Sweep highlighter lightly on the high points of your face – cheekbones, brow bones and cupid’s bow.
This strategic placing catches the light and makes you glow without looking overly made up.
Blending the highlighter well into surrounding skin prevents harsh lines.
Build the color up gradually for an illuminated-from-within effect that flatters both your features and lavender ensemble in equal measure.
Whether your highlighter is powder, cream or liquid based, the subtle dimensional shine takes your lavender look to the next level.
It ensures you radiate as luminously as your delicate dress does!
Dewy highlighter shades like Becca Moonstone, Wet n Wild Megaglo Balm or Fenty Killawatt in Mean Money + Hu$tla Baby give a gorgeous lit-from-within glow when brushed on cheekbones, cupid’s bow and brow bone.
Copper Eyeshadow
For a vibrant pop, sweep copper and bronze shades on your lids and crease. Copper tones pair beautifully with lavender as their richness offsets the lighter, more delicate color of the dress.
The warmth in copper echoes the subtle pinkish or reddish undertones often found in lavender fabrics. It serves as a harmonizing transition shade rather than something that clashes.
Apply copper first to the outer corners of your eyelid and crease, blending it well up towards the brow bone. This sculpts definition without going too dark. Then sweep a matching copper on the center of the lid.
Line with a shiny copper pencil to match the eyeshadow shade. Smudging the liner provides a lit-up effect that makes eyes vibrant yet feminine paired with pastel purple.
The result is eye-catching yet elegant – letting your creative side shine through alongside your dreamy lavender dress. Gorgeous copper eyes are sure to complement it beautifully!
Nude Lipgloss
A nude, non-drying lip-gloss is the epitome of a polished yet natural lip look that lets a lavender dress take center stage.
Choose a barely-there shade in a pale pink, rose or barely-peach family.
Nude gloss enhances your natural lip color while blending harmoniously with most skin tones. It won’t compete with the dress like bright reds or berries could. Opt for a gloss rather than opaque lipstick to keep it fresh-faced.
The subtle warm tones in nude gloss work well to complement lavender dresses which often have pinkish or rosy undertones. Where lipstick might be too much, gloss keeps lips looking sun-kissed and youthful.
One swipe of gloss also imparts a dewy shine, adding an ethereal glow without overwhelming a dainty floral dress.
Your lips will shine as naturally as your pretty lavender frock does!
It’s the definition of complementary polish that lets the dress take the spotlight.
Pastel Liner
For a soft defined eye that matches the ethereal vibe of a lavender dress, try a waterline liner or tightlining in a pastel lavender, lilac or light purple shade.
Pastel liners won’t tug or pull at the delicate skin along your waterline like harsh black or dark shades could. They complement rather than contrast with a lighter lavender outfit.
Opt for a creamy, hydrating liner formula that glides on smoothly without skipping. This applies with more precision than waxy pencils for your waterline.
Tightlining your upper lashline with pastel liner draws subtle attention to eyes without looking overdone with your dress. The tonal complement makes eyes pop delicately.
Complete the look by scrunching a coat of clear or light mascara onto your top lashes only. This lifts and defines without any color detracting from your ensemble.
Soft pastel liner is a pretty, polished way to tie your eye look cohesively to a whimsical lavender dress.
Iridescent Shadow
For a magical eye look to match the ethereal shimmer often found in lavender fabrics, dust on a wash of iridescent shadow. Look for shades with a duochrome, multi-dimensional quality.
Lavender shades that shift between purple, pink and pearl will echo the light-catching nature of the dress fabric. They create dimensionality without detracting attention.
Start with the shadow over your entire lid and blend upward, stopping just above the crease. This gives subtle lavender sparkle without looking overdone.
For extra drama, layer a coordinating glitter topper just on the center of the lid over the shadow. This makes eyes pop in photographs.
Set with a mist of setting spray to prevent creasing. The iridescent shimmer moves as you move, harmonizing magically with your pretty lavender dress.
Iridescent shadows take your look to an ethereal level, enhancing the fairytale vibes of your lavender look flawlessly. Your unique sparkle will shine through!
Pastel eye art
Use soft, lightweight shades of lilac, light pink, mint or sky blue eyeshadow all over the lid. Pastels echo the lavender hue without being matchy-matchy.
Blend the shades smoothly into the crease with a fluffy brush. Diffuse the edges for a blurred, blended effect.
Dab a slightly deeper pastel like light purple or pale peach in the outer corner to add subtle definition.
Sweep a shimmery pale highlighter on the inner corner and brow bone to make eyes pop.
Line upper lashline with a creamy pale lavender or lilac pencil. Smudge lightly for a soft washed effect.
Coat upper lashes with one coat of light pink or mint tinted mascara. Define without darkening eyes.
Filling in brows with a spoolie and tinted gel or powder in a taupe or ash blonde keeps the look fresh.
Pastel eyes let the dress take center stage without clashing. The dreamy blend of hues enhances your features gently.
It’s a sweet, ethereal look to underscore the romance of your pretty lavender ensemble.
Lavender Mascara
Lavender mascara tones match the dress exactly without looking overly bold or made up.
It enhances eyes in a soft, coordinated way that allows the dress color to shine through.
Choose a formula enriched with conditioning oils so the lavender dye doesn’t dry out lashes.
Sweep just one coat of the mascara evenly across top lashes to lift and define them delicately.
Less is more with mascara – one coat keeps the look fresh and enhances natural lash color.
The coordinating lavender hue makes eyes pop in photos without looking harsh.
It ties the whole look together seamlessly and makes eye color pop against the dress.
Lavender mascara is ideal for daytime when you want eyes to stand out softly.
The matching tone flatters all eye colors and skin types beautifully.
It allows your pretty dress to take center stage in a complementary, polished way.
Pastel Ombre Lips
To complement the whimsical yet feminine vibe of lavender mascara, try an ombre lip look using two soft pastel shades.
Start by lining your lips with a very pale lilac/lavender pencil all over. Then gently blend a slightly deeper shade of pale pinky-mauve lipstick just onto the centers of your lips, leaving the edges lined in lavender.
This creates a pretty, blended gradient effect without being high maintenance. The light lip colors won’t compete with your lush lavender lashes or dress, but add an ethereal pop of color.
Your lips will have a natural-yet-perky tint that matches the dreamy feel of your coordinated mascara and ensemble. It’s a unique switch-up from standard nude lips that still flatters your features beautifully alongside lavender lashes and dress.
The pastel ombre lip look lets your smile frame your striking lavender eyes in a one-of-a-kind way.
There you have it ladies – my top makeup picks to flawlessly complement any lavender dress.
Whether you’re going for an romantic, ethereal look or a bolder glam vibe, I promise these shades will have your dress and makeup pairing Instagram-worthy.
Let me know if you try any of these colors out – I’d love to hear which ones become your new go-tos! Now get out there and glow, girlfriends.
