How to Wear Red Lipstick Like a Pro

This season, red lips are all the rage. When paired with a simple, clean face (no blush  or eye shadow ), red lips don't have to look overdone. All you need is a pristine palette to start with (foundation  and concealer ), a touch of mascara,  and possibly some eye liner.  Black liquid eye liner  along the top of the eye is very subtle but sexy; a perfect accessory to red lips.

How to apply it so that you don't look like a clown? This guide reveals the secrets to this season's hottest trend with three easy steps, but first, remember that wearing red comes with a responsibility. With a pair of red hot lips you'll stop traffic and command the attention of everyone in the room. First off, be careful what you wear with it. Neutrals, especially black  and gray  go very well with red lips. White, green, and yellow make reds stand out even more, so beware. Also keep in mind that red lips bring an attitude with them. You should feel the red before applying it, otherwise you will be more likely to feel silly about wearing it. Finally, to ease into red, start with high pigment glosses  and pink lipstick  if you aren't used to bright colored lipstick.

Step One: Lip Liner  The first step is to line the lips with a liner that matches exactly to your lipstick. It should be very waxy so that it goes on smooth. Do not line outside the natural lip. If you wish, use a foundation or a primer on the lips before applying the liner. It will help the lipstick and liner stay longer and leaves less chance for the makeup to smear.	Step Two: Lipstick  Choose a red that matches your skin tone. Something pinker would be good on someone fair, while a violet or blue based red would be better on dark skin. An orange-based red would be an easier transition to a dark red for someone with medium to dark skin. Opt for matte lipstick  rather than shiny or glossy.	Step Three: Translucent Powder  After applying liner and lipstick, blot, and apply a dusting of powder to set the makeup. Reapply the lipstick and blot.

Recommended Reds

Here are some of the truest reds on the market. Choose your favorite brand or try shopping for something new. Feeling lucky? Try this True Red Lipstick Search. 

NARS Fire Down Below  Clinique Tobasco  Chanel Coco Red Hydrabase Lipstick  Palladio Herbal Lipstick Pure Red  Agnes B. Rouge Lipstick in Rouge Agnes

L'Oréal Volume Perfect Re-Shaping Lip Colour in Sumptuous Scarlet  Chanel Infrarouge Velvet  Diorific Roulette Red  Lancôme Rouge Absolue Red Chic  Laura Mercier Chianti

Estée Lauder Pure Colour Velvet Deep Red  Paula Dorf Sassy  Guerlain Folie De Grenat  Deluxe Beauty Vinnie  Givenchy Shopping Red