Perfect Your Pout

The great Mae West once said, Kiss and make up--but too much make up has ruined many a kiss. While I don't want to put words in her mouth, in the spirit of kissing, I'm guessing she would approve of the right lipstick. So what is the "right lipstick," you wonder? For this season: RED. Definitely red.

I am a firm believer in power colors, and nothing perfects your pout more powerfully than red. It is simultaneously bold, glamorous, and utterly classic--a cosmetic trifecta seldom achieved. My absolute favorite red lipstick is Chanel's Rouge Hydrabase Creme Lipstick in Russet Moon. It is the ultimate in rich, velvety red--without being overly intense.

If you're a proud brunette like me, then you should feel especially confident rocking the red lip. Though I am admittedly biased, you can't deny that red is particularly striking on brunettes. I guess this is just one of those times that brunettes do it better! It's a fact: the contrast of sleek dark hair, a lightly powdered face, and ruby red lips just can't be beat!

But don't worry, blondie, all is never lost. If you covet a red pout circa Marilyn Monroe, the success is in the shade. While a brunette can go dark, blondes should opt for lighter and brighter reds to avoid looking overly goth girl (sorry, Jenny Humphrey, but it's true). It's the difference between Christina Aguilera (top photo, upper left) and Mary Kate Olsen (below); Christina's scarlet kisser drags her down, while Mary Kate's cherry red pucker proves that it is indeed possible to look sultry and sweet at exactly the same time. So for you blonde bombshells out there, try something more along the lines of Chanel's Luminous Satin Lip Color in Audace.

The moral of the story: if your pout is in need of a pick-me-up, be bold and go red! You will be amazed at the way this one, kiss-worthy color can transform your whole look. Kiss and make up, kiss and tell... If you perfect your pout, the choice is yours!

Images, in order of appearance: (1) Celebs in red, photo courtesy of Style Salon (http://shinymedia.blogs.com); (2) your very own Lolly, photographed by herself; (3) Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, photograph thanks to Stardust and Sequins (http://stardustandsequins.files.wordpress.com).