There’s something about purple that feels perfectly suited to autumn. Whimsical, a little mysterious and undeniably regal, make-up artists to stars such as Zendaya and Zara Larsson have been experimenting with soft lilac, muted mauve and deep plum this season.

And it’s not just celebrities. At fashion week, purple hues were swept across lids at Sportmax, smudged onto lips at Burberry and made cheekbones pop at Harris Reed. Is purple the new neutral, then? Maybe that would be to overstate it, but it’s certainly a welcome addition to the shades of nude and taupe that have been dominating make-up bags.

Of course, purple make-up is nothing new. Shades of aubergine, plum and pastel lilac were all the rage in the ’80s, worn by the likes of Debbie Harry and Grace Jones. But today’s take – inspired by Japanese and Korean beauty trends – is altogether more wearable: think fewer harsh lines and dusty finishes, more gauzy washes, glossy textures and ethereal blends.

Just look to Sophia Sinot, make-up artist to Zara Larsson, whose signature gradient technique sees one shade of purple melt imperceptibly into the next, whether it’s on cheeks or eyelids. Make-up artist Fara Homidi, meanwhile, is known to take a barely-there approach to purple with light dustings of lavender highlighter, lending skin an otherworldly effect.

Why is purple make-up trending right now?

“Purple feels fresh and elegant because it can be simultaneously playful and sophisticated,” says celebrity make-up artist Maria Asadi. “A soft lilac, for example, gives you a delicate wash of colour, while a rich violet or aubergine tone creates real impact.”

The latter shades were sent down the runways at fashion week last season: Bella Hadid’s eyes were circled in aubergine eyeliner at Saint Laurent, and Ashley Graham’s cheeks dusted with purple blush that made its way up to the temples. Asadi thinks it’s the perfect antidote to the warm, bronzed make-up we’ve been seeing everywhere. “Purple makes a statement and these cooler tones feel exciting again. They also happen to feel very fitting for autumn,” she says.

Does purple make-up suit all skin tones?

There’s a purple for every complexion, but shade and the depth matter, says Asadi. “On fair skin, sheer lilac and lavender can look beautiful, while on medium and olive skin, I love mauve and orchid tones. On deeper skin, saturated violet, plum and berry-purples really come alive.”

For the uninitiated, purple blush is an easy way in. “Purple blush looks much less intimidating on the face than it does in the pan,” says Asadi, “and I believe that it’s much easier to wear than purple eyeshadow.” The trick is to start small. “Apply a very little amount high on the cheeks and blend it out with a fluffy brush,” suggests Asadi. “A sheer violet, for instance, can often read as a fresh, cool pink once it’s on the skin.”

Asadi’s most-used blushes include Prada Beauty’s Touch Cream-to-Powder Blush in Wisteria for light to medium skin tones, Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Blush & Bronze Water Tints in Vintage Rose, a sheer blackberry hue, for olive skin, and MAC’s Colourstruck Blush in Your Heroine on deeper skin tones. “A pro tip,” adds Asadi, “is a little on the bridge of the nose for dimension, and if you want to make it even more wearable, mix a dark purple and a light purple blush together to create depth and dimension.”

Colour Wash Blush & Bronze Water Tints

Once you feel confident with blush, you can expand into eye make-up, lipstick and so on. And the same colour rules apply: pastel shades for lighter skin, richer hues for deeper skin. Unless it’s the vibe you’re going for, Asadi recommends that beginners might want to stick to one purple accent – be it on the lips, cheeks or eyes – rather than wearing the shade all over.

With that in mind, find the best celebrity make-up looks to inspire your purple autumn beauty moodboard

Make-up artist Ernesto Casillas was the mastermind behind Zendaya’s whimsical eye look, which combined pastel purple, pops of pink and mega lashes.

For Laufey, make-up artist Nina Park teamed her signature blurred lip with a wash of diffused pastel-purple eyeshadow, lending the look a soft, ethereal quality.

No one does pastel purple quite like Sophia Sinot. Zara Larsson’s sculpted ombré eye is offset by a flash of blue liner and coordinating fluffy lashes.

Keke Palmer is proof that a smoky eye doesn’t have to be black or brown. Varying shades of purple make for a pretty alternative.

Sabrina Carpenter knows that sometimes, a single swish of colour is all you need.