Here's the thing: I love a matte red mouth. It's strong, it's assertive, it's downright Garbo.

But sometimes I want a bold lip without looking like I've waltzed right out of a Turner Classic Movie. Y'know, something a little bit more fun and approachable, a little less "I vant to be alone."

Which is why I'm hopped up on hot pink lipstick. It has the impact of red, without any of the seriousness. It's admittedly Eighties, but completely on-trend. Case in point: Taylor Momsen rocked bright pink lipstick at the Topshop opening, and the cameras -- and blogs -- went wild. (In the good way.)

If you're tempted to work a vibrant pink lip but feel a bit shy, start out with a gloss or stain. It'll give you a pretty, flirty look without getting people talking. (Stila Lip Rouge in Beam is pretty amazing for this purpose.)

But if you're confident enough to pull off the real deal, do what MAC makeup artist Terry Barber does: "Lightly pat a brightly colored shadow over your lipstick. It will give your mouth a lot of impact."

Barber pulled this dual-textured stunt at Antonio Berardi's most recent runway show, where the lips were as memorable as the clothes.

I tapped a teeny bit of MAC Pigment in Fuchsia over my brightest, rosiest lipstick, and instantly, it looked like I was having more fun than anyone in the room.

Red lipstick, I'd be worried if I were you.