<![CDATA[This study aims to analyze the influence of product quality, price, and product innovation on purchasing decisions for Viva lipstick, with brand image as a mediating variable, among female university students in Semarang. The research employed a quantitative approach with a survey method, using purposive sampling of 100 female students who use Viva lipstick. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to examine both direct and indirect relationships among the variables. The results reveal that product quality has a positive and significant effect on both purchasing decisions and brand image. This indicates that consumers’ perceptions of Viva lipstick’s quality—such as color durability, texture smoothness, and comfort in use—play an important role in shaping a positive brand image and encouraging purchasing decisions. In contrast, price and product innovation were found to have no significant effect on either purchasing decisions or brand image, suggesting that the current pricing strategy and product innovation efforts have not yet become the main attraction for consumers. Brand image was found to have a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions and to mediate the influence of product quality on purchasing decisions. This mediation is partial, meaning that product quality influences purchasing decisions not only directly but also indirectly through the enhancement of brand image. The practical implications of this study emphasize the importance for Viva Cosmetics to continuously improve product quality, including formulation and packaging, while strengthening brand communication strategies to ensure consistent positive consumer perceptions. Furthermore, the company should reassess its pricing and product innovation strategies to remain competitive in the dynamic cosmetics market. By focusing on product quality and brand image, Viva is expected to increase consumer appeal and loyalty, particularly within the university student market segment.]]>
