Lilac and Lavender are two shades of purple that are often confusing to distinguish. The primary difference you might not quite notice is that lavender is a pale shade of purple with a tint of blue, while Lilac is light purple with a pink hue.
There are some disparities and similarities between these two colors, and it took me quite a while to fully understand them. Get ready for a colorful discovery as you read on.
Lilac vs Lavender – Going Back to History
You might wonder what precisely some boring long history got to do with these colors you are curious about. The color from which they both come, purple, has a rich history which I find pretty interesting.
The color purple itself is pretty rare in nature. It is believed that the Phoenicians were the first producers of this precious commodity. They used thousands of sea snails to produce just a few grams of purple dye. This dye was sold at a high price; three pounds of gold to one pound of purple!
Because of how pricy it was, this color was limited to people in authority, those with high social status and extreme wealth. In fact, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the law supported the use of purple attire for royalties only.
Thank the heavens for a scientist who accidentally discovered this color after a failed experiment. After that breakthrough, there was a massive turnaround while researching new methods to make this expensive color. Now, you can use a purple color regardless of the number of dollars in your bank account.
Are Lavender and Lilac The Same Color?
From the little background established earlier, these colors share a similarity as part of the color purple and are made from the combination of red and blue colors. Also, they both share a strong connection with purity, feminity, and royalty. However, many attributes are peculiar to each color which often go unnoticed. Here are some significant differences:
• Hex Code
The hex code for Lilac is #C8A2CA, while that of lavender is #E6E6FA. The basis of a hex code is to tell the extent of the amount of blue, red, and green.
• Description
Lilac is the pale version of purple with a pink hue, while lavender is a medium or lighter shade of purple with a blue tint.
• Preparation
To create the lavender, add a bit of white to purple and stir properly to give a cool pastel shade. As for Lilac, mix red and blue together, then add a little white to lighten the resulting color.
• Shades
There are other beautiful shades of these elegant colors. Lavender could be in the form of lavender-pink, lavender Magenta, or bright lavender. Lilacs could exist as pale or deep Lilac.
• Color Temperature
A color’s temperature is defined by its degree of warmth or coolness; the amount of blue or red determines this. Lilac is considered a warm color due to its pink hue, while a blue undertone in lavender gives it a characteristic coolness.
• Color Psychology
The two almost similar shades of purple stimulate how people feel, behave and think, and their unique therapeutic effects influence our decisions.
Lilac’s psychology can be associated with the delicate lilac flower, which elicits a feeling of pure romance. It effortlessly draws people to experience calm, beauty, and a sense of youthfulness. Because of its strong association with feminity is related to selflessness, pure intentions, and nurturing.
Lavender, on the other hand, speaks grace and romance at the same time. According to biblical beliefs or Christianity, it is associated with purity and holiness. This color can lift your spirit, relax your body, and stimulate your mind to be more creative. Lavender color creates a perfect atmosphere not just to express love but also to celebrate romance.
• Color Pairing
Some of the beautiful colors which pair well with Lilac include;
1. Lilac and Orange
Spice up your wardrobe with these bright colors to uplift your spirit as you confidently flaunt your unique style. You could pair an orange sleeveless crop top with fitted lilac high-waisted pants. With this combo, you would be an additional beauty to summer.
The soft undertone of Lilac makes it suitable for decorating the interiors of your home. You could create an electrifying feeling of passion by making your bed sheets a shade of Lilac and your curtains a mixture of Lilac, subtly, and a colossal drape of powerful orange.
2. Lilac and Yellow
This color combination is outstanding for designing interiors. Imagine a kitchen with walls painted Lilac and some white designs, then have the cabinets or cupboards a beautiful shade of yellow.
3. Lilac and Green
These two colors unexpectedly go pretty well with each other. A combination of Lilac, especially with an emerald or olive green, is a perfect way to complement nature. You would be an ideal representation of the beauty of spring.
4. Lilac and Grey
This combo creates soft tones that work well for interiors. You could paint the walls of your bedroom grey and have your furniture, bedsheets, throw pillows, and curtains a beautiful shade of Lilac. In fashion, the lilac and grey combination is a growing trend on Instagram, which signifies class and elegance.
Now, let’s go over some exciting colors which pair well with lavender.
1. Lavender and Violet
These colors complement each other beautifully to give a relaxing effect. A violet and lavender-themed wedding would create unforgettable memories in an aesthetic atmosphere. You could set up the interior of your living room to have a blend of lavender and a bit of violet to balance the color temperature.
2. Lavender and Magenta
A mixture of cool lavender with a bold Magenta initiates strength and courage. You can apply this color combo in your office for a relaxing atmosphere where you feel in charge. You could have your table painted in Magenta, chairs or sofas, a mixture of lavender and a little Magenta.
3. Lavender and Beige
Lavender goes well with neutral colors such as beige. You could wear a sleek lavender gown with a beige shoe or bag for an outfit. This combo goes right with creating a beautiful interior.
Which is Better, Lavender or Lilac?
These colors are both unique in their way based on diversity in ways to apply them and the effects they have on our emotions. You can place one over the other. Instead, express your style by picking either of the colors and rocking them based on your intuition.
What do Lavender and Lilac Correct?
Color correction primarily applies to makeup artistry and is used to correct unpleasant undertones on the skin. Both colors can be used during a makeover to eliminate blemishes and spots with a yellow undertone. These colors are excellent for rejuvenating and brightening your skin.
Does Lavender Look Good on Everyone?
Lavender-inspired dresses tend to look beautiful on everyone depending on the skin tone of the individual when compared to the color tone.
For people with soft undertones, like light-skinned or pale-skinned individuals, it is advisable to go for colors with a cool hue, like light lavender or pastel purple. Those with darker skin tones can look angelic in a darker shade of lavender, accentuating the richness of their skin color.
Another factor determining how stunning you would look in this color is your color combination choice. Pairing lavender with a complementary color or shade on the color wheel increases your chance of looking dashing in it. For example, a combination of lavender and gold outfit works well with balancing undertones to create a perfect fit.
Are Lavender and Lilac a Feminine Color?
These colors have been linked to feminity due to their relationship with romance and nurturing. However, they have a shot at masculinity because of their roots in representing royalty, wealth, and influence. In the bible, lavender was to be used by only sanctified male priests.
With that in mind, these shades of purple are very gender-neutral. A man could rock a unique style of Lilac or lavender shirt with a complementary color, like white pants, to give off an aura of regality.
What is the difference between lavender and purple?
Lavender is light purple with a rich blue tone making it an excellent color on the color wheel, while purple has more of a red tint, taking its place as a warm color on the wheel.
What is the superstition about lilacs?
Some folks fell victim to grandma’s color superstition. Some people believed that a wicked fairy once lived in a lilac tree and tormented families with flowers in their homes. Sadly, this tale was glued to the lilac color, and anyone who wore something with a touch of this beautiful color was inviting bad luck.
But now, we are more intelligent than ancient superstitions and can freely rock these colors in almost anything that concerns us: our dressing, sitting room, bedroom, and artwork.
Final Thoughts
If you wish to stand out among the crowd, a simple understanding of Lavender and Lilac colors will help you make a bold statement as someone who loves to explore colors.