Style Tip-Off: Purple Reign

Regal, seductive, mystical: Purple is truly one of the hardest-working colors in the spectrum. It's an all-purpose multitasker that looks equally stylish any time, anywhere, on any skin tone. No wonder savvy dressers like Eva Longoria Parker and Anne Hathaway are so fond of it.

We're not saying it's the new black, because purple has always been in style. And as far as we can tell, it isn't going anywhere. But you might like to think of it as black's more outgoing, open-minded, non-identical twin.

"When you don't want to wear black, purple is great," says style expert Sam Saboura. And, he says, "it's universally flattering." The question is: With purples ranging from lavender to deep plum, how do you know which shade looks best on you?

Sam recommends darker shades and violets for cooler tones -- that is, brunettes with paler skin -- while blondes should go for lighter hues, like lilacs or magentas. And if you have honey-toned or golden skin, the whole purple palette is your oyster -- but pastels look particularly dramatic. Sam points out that this is one color even redheads can love: Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore both look ravishing in purple.

Got brown or hazel eyes? Blend different shades of purple shadow to make your gaze totally irresistible.