If you're looking to experiment with an eye-catching lip color but find hot pink and red too intimidating, take a cue from Tika Sumpter and try out pale, lilac lips.
The actress (who has starred on Gossip Girl) stepped out at the What's Your Number? premiere in Westwood, Calif. on Monday in a lilac skin-tight bandage dress and matching lipstick.
"A lavender lip color looks girlie, but it's way more unexpected than pink," celeb makeup artist Shannon Pezzetta tells Us Weekly.
Sumpter, 34, paired the soft, pretty lip color with bold eyeliner, sculpted brows, and a braided updo.
To steal her the look, start by applying a base for the shade — a lipstick that's nude or flesh-toned will help bring out the purple tones while anchoring your color for all-day wear. Next, dab a shimmering violet lipstick or gloss on top and blend with a fingertip, says Pezzetta. Try L'Oreal Infallible La Rouge Lipcolor in Charming Lilac ($9.99, drugstore.com) or MAC Lustreglass in Morning Glory ($15, maccosmetics.com)