It is hard not to notice that red lips are back in action. Who wouldn’t want to pucker into one of those famous Hollywood pouts if they could be guaranteed to look as glam? Unfortunately, some of us end up with just as much on our teeth as on our lips so here are a few tried and true tricks for choosing, applying and wearing red lipstick.

First of all, if you don’t know whether you have blue or yellow undertones in your skin, ask an expert at any better makeup counter. If you have blue undertones, go for the cooler or blue-based reds. These can range from true reds to berry reds. If you have yellow undertones, choose from the tomato reds, orange reds or brownish reds. The first step in wearing red lipstick is to make sure your lips are smooth and conditioned. A trick I learned a long time ago is to apply a little Vaseline on your teeth so if your lipstick ends up there, it can easily be removed. Apply a little foundation to your lips and dust them with a little powder to keep the color from feathering. Use a creamy lip liner pencil which matches your lipstick color and outline your lips with small strokes. Don’t cheat and go outside of the lines to make your lips look fuller because it will be obvious when it wears off. Next, fill in your lips with the lip pencil to stain them and make the lipstick last longer. Use a lipstick brush to apply the lipstick, applying less at the outside edges. Finally, blot the lipstick. If you have full lips, you can reduce them (why would you?) with darker lipsticks. Wear brighter reds if your lips are thin. Dab a little gloss or shimmer in the middle of your lower lip and wallah, you will have a Hollywood pout.

One last bit of advice. If you are going to go for the red lips, you will have to stick to the basics on your eyes. A little soft shadow or liner and mascara should do the trick. It is important to play up either the lips or the eyes or not both if you want to avoid looking like you are wearing stage makeup. With all of the color stories we are seeing in the summer fashions, be brave! See red!