How to Wear Red Lipstick

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Red lipstick is a universal classic and has yet to go out of style. And with all the red lips on the hit TV show Man Men, red lips are here to stay for another few seasons. Yet many women assume they can't wear it. They're wrong. Here we show you how.

Rule No. 1: The secret lies in the rest of your face

The paler the skin, the bigger the pop. Go light on the eyes and the blush, otherwise you'll risk looking like a clown (Cameron Diaz made this fatal mistake at the 2007 Golden Globes). Skip eyeliner and go only for mascara (black for brunettes, brown for blondes and redheads), making sure to apply to bottom lashes (it opens up your eyes). Dust face with powder and cheeks with a soft blush.

Rule No. 2: Line inside of lips

Red lipstick tends to bleed, so fill in lips with lip liner first, suggests makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff in Harper's Bazaar.

Rule No. 3: Pick the right color

If your complexion is pink, you'll look better in plum shades, while girls with yellow tones are flattered by warmer reds that have a brown base, according to celebrity makeup artist Jemma Kidd in Harper's.

Rule No. 4: Don't let nails clash

We prefer non-red nail polish when you're going red on the lips. A clear polish or light color is cool, and dark polish is a trend that shows no sign of going away anytime soon. If you want to go red on the nails, make sure the color matches your lips.

Rule No. 5: Blending is in

Few makeup artists stick to one shade of any lipstick, they tend to blend a few to create the perfect colors. If you've bought a red lipstick shade that's too bright, dark or whatever, don't throw it away. Instead, experiment with other lipstick shades you have on hand to create the perfect shade of red.

Check out pages and pages of red lipstick from high-end brands like Chanel to the good-but-cheaper brands such as Revlon and Cover Girl (I am partial to M.A.C.).

Rule No. 6: Choose lighter shades if you are older

Our lips thin as we age and dark lips can accentuate them. To keep lips from looking too severe, try a rosy red or avoid red lips altogether and opt for a neutral shade, playing up your eyes instead. More on lipstick: