Rookie

Me and some of my favorite red-lipsticked looks.

There’s something pretty powerful about a slash of red lipstick—it says, “I am awesome, and I have awesome things to say.” No matter what your style is—it looks good with a man’s suit or a vintage dress—you can find a way to make red lipstick suit you and what you’re trying to tell the world about yourself on any given day.

You might be afraid of bright red lipstick, worried it’s too bold, or that it will smear and smudge every time you talk or take a gulp of a Slurpee and you’ll end up looking like you got a little too into a plate of spaghetti. But fear not! I’m gonna help you learn how to apply the stuff like a pro, and pretty soon you’ll be wearing it like you were born with it on.

First, pick a shade. I know that everyone says that certain skin tones and hair colors need to stick to specific shades, but throw those rules in the trash! Wear whatever color you like best—the one that makes you feel most like yourself. Personally, I prefer poppy reds, which have an orangey undertone. (Technically, that goes against the rules prescribed for my pale pinky skin and dark hair, but like I said, those rules = garbage.) All this being said, a blue-toned red like NYX Cosmetics’ Matte Lipstick in Bloody Mary can make your teeth look whiter, and an orange-toned red like Avon’s Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Poppy Love (one of my all-time favorites) can warm up your face on a day when you’re feeling a bit blah.

Next, prepare your canvas. If your lips are dry and chapped, your lipstick is gonna look crummy. A while back I offered some advice on making chapped lips smooth and soft. All good? Then let’s get started.

Now put on some red lipstick and take over the world.