There’s something oddly satisfying about a lipstick that delivers a rich pigment in the first go. This deep, slightly moody plum shade from Anastasia Beverly Hills does exactly that—and more. The ultra-matte finish is clean, velvety and never leaves your lips dry. Wear it on its own for a smooth wash of colour or pair it with a darker lip liner for a more defined look. Either way, it holds its own through the day without much fuss.

Less intense than deeper wines, this creamy, mauve-tinged plum is a great lightweight pick for an everyday lipstick. The texture is smooth and creamy, thanks to a blend of shea butter, jojoba oil, almond oil and vitamin E. It keeps your lips hydrated and feeling comfortable through the day. A subtle shine runs through the finish too, which stops it from looking flat or one-dimensional. The kind of shade that works without requiring much effort around it.

This is the kind of lipstick that lives in your handbag, accompanying you everywhere you go. The shade is somewhere between a berry and a wine, and it’s packed with crushed pigments for a satin matte finish. But its texture is what keeps you coming back to it over and over—it feels less like a lipstick and more like a balm, due to its blend of vitamins E and C and beeswax for hydration. The kind of shade that's easy to reach for without thinking too hard about it—and one that tends to stay in rotation once it's in the mix.

This one by Elizabeth Arden isn’t your typical muted plum. It’s brighter and has a vivid berry-plum tone that instantly livens up your face. The ultra-creamy formula glides on easily and leaves you with a soft matte finish. It’s formulated with an advanced ceramide complex that softens the appearance of fine lip lines and is also packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and maracuja oil, so your lips stay hydrated and plump all day.

If you prefer high-shine lips over matte finishes, this one’s a must-have addition to your vanity kit. The glossy finish keeps it feeling fresh and light rather than overdone and the non-sticky formula gives lips a fuller, more cushioned appearance without any of the heaviness that comes with some glosses. Bidens extract adds a hydrating element that makes it comfortable to wear through the day. Wear it alone for a quick hit of colour or layer it over a liner or lipstick for more depth and dimension—it works well either way.

A comfy matte that won’t dry out your lips (or your bank account), this one is a great pick for long days. The wine-stained colour is deep and doesn’t fade or smudge easily. Hyaluronic acid and vitamin E keep lips feeling soft and hydrated underneath the colour, so it doesn't settle into lines or feel tight by the end of the day. A solid option for long days when you need your lip colour to keep up.

If you’re on the market for a light, playful plum that doesn’t feel too deep or serious, this berry-rose-tinted shade from Clinique is an easy way in. The built-in primer helps the formula glide on smoothly and evenly and the soft-shine finish adds a little brightness without tipping into full gloss territory. You get good colour payoff in a single swipe and it still feels light and easy to wear throughout the day. The kind of shade that eases you into the plum family.