Lipstick Dos and Donts

Dark lips are back in a big way this season, from Goth black hues on the runways to the gorgeous plums on Hollywood's most famous pouts. While such a dramatic style can be intimidating, read our lips: This look can work off the red carpet! Just keep in mind these insider tips on how to pull off the bold new beauty trend.

By Amber Kallor

DON'T go totally Goth

While the striking look models wore on the Yves Saint Laurent fall 2008 runway was indeed dramatic (black lipstick, powdered cheeks and bowl-cut wigs with bangs to the nose), off the catwalk, the severe-looking style says vampire, not vampy.

Chris Moore, Catwalking / Getty Images

DO let your lips do all the talking

To score a wearable version of the high-impact YSL makeup look, pull hair back into an easy ponytail, keep cheeks and eyes bare and let your look revolve around a dramatic, deep berry lipstick. Makeup pro Melanie Inglessis says, "Keep your look simple-play up only one feature at a time." Michelle Trachtenberg found the perfect raspberry shade-which looks a lot like Ulta's Color Comfort Lip Color in Golden Berry - to provide a cool contrast to her fair complexion and newly darkened hair.

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DON'T get caught coloring outside the lines

Amy, we love your individual style, but to your ring of dark lipliner we say, "No, no, no!" For lined lips minus the clownlike comical effect, makeup artist Ana Marie suggests rimming your lips with a pointy Q-tip dipped in translucent powder to help your darkest shades stay put!

Jo Hale, Getty Images

DO pair a plum pout with bold brows

To borrow a phrase Cher Horowitz made famous in the '90s hit Clueless, America Ferrera is "a total Betty"-who is anything but ugly! With wine-color lips and gorgeously groomed full brows, this VIP member of young Hollywood is a classic beauty!

Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images

DO go super dark on deeper skin tones

A burgundy pout is fit for this queen! Feathery lashes, neutral makeup and dark lip color highlight Queen Latifah's caramel-color skin and megawatt smile. Try CoverGirl Queen Collection Vibrant Hue Color in Shiny Cocoa Bean to get this regal look.

DON'T forget to do a teeth check

Looks like Miley Cyrus was playing in Mommy's makeup-and she forgot the tried-and-true Vaseline-on-the-teeth trick before flashing a lipstick-covered smile for the paparazzi! Always a DO? Checking the mirror before posing for your close-up.

Kazden, Rex USA

DO pair gently stained lips with lots of mascara

The queen of cool Kate Moss complements her cranberry-stained pout with tons of black mascara for a subtle dark lip that makes a big impact. To get two looks from the same tube, makeup pro Melanie Inglessis says, "Apply lipstick with your ring finger for a less intense shade-the trick is to keep it from looking too perfect!"

Chris Jackson, Getty Images

DON'T OD on the makeup products

The glitzy red pout and over-the-top makeup look is best left to the big top.

Mark Mainz, Getty Images

DO up the glamour quotient

Who doesn't love Brittany Murphy's throwback to old-Hollywood glam? A not-too-perfect chignon and ruby lips on the red carpet make this Uptown Girl's look a DO in our book-anywhere, anytime!

Kevin Winter, Getty Images