FAIR SKIN

Your complexion is prone to redness, so the first step should be evening out skin with a little foundation; otherwise, red can highlight ruddiness. When choosing a lipstick shade, look for sheer, blue-based reds. Though bold, these cool hues don’t look overly harsh against pale skin tones.

OLIVE SKIN

Thanks to the warm undertones in your skin, you can pull off almost any red (even siren red!). To keep the overall look clean, avoid wearing bronzer, which can seem muddy when paired with intense lips. A touch of concealer and quick swipe of mascara or black liner are all you need.

DARK SKIN

This complexion can be warm or cool. If yours has golden tones (think Halle Berry), choose reds with a brown base: brick or rusty red. Is your skin more blue-based (think model Alek Wek)? Choose deep rubies with a hint of pink, like dark cherry or burgundy. Go easy on the eyes and let your lips be the focus.

**TIP** : First, ditch the chapped lips! Not cute! Use a warm, wet, soft baby toothbrush to exfoliate the lips and follow up with a lip balm to keep the moisture locked in. Once they are velvety soft, fill lips in with a pencil that matches them, not the lipstick. Then apply color with a tiny lip brush, starting at the center of your mouth and blending outward. Press lips together, blot with a tissue, and voila!