Beauty Basics: The Right Shade of Red

Do you love the look of classic red lips, but feel intimidated by all the choices? You're not alone! Red lipstick looks beautiful on everyone, but most women just don't know how to choose the right shade. Makeup expert Carmindy, star of TLC's What Not To Wear, helps us pick the perfect siren shade for every skin tone.

Paper Trick
"Grab a piece of white paper and mark it with three different shades. The paper will show you the true undertones of each," explains Carmindy. Fair-skinned women should look for shades with blue undertones, like cherry. Medium-skinned women should look for true reds -- apple or fire engine. Darker-skinned women should look for darker "blood-red" shades like garnet or sangria.

Fair Skin Shades
If you have fair skin, choose a blue-based shade, like this one in the cherry family. "If you're afraid of color, you can always start with a sheer lipstick so you get to experiment with red, but without all of the intensity," says Carmindy.

Apply the color with a lip brush for even, precise application.

"She's gorgeous in this shade," says Carmindy. A little bit of color helps perk up pale skin.

Medium Skin Shades
If you have medium-toned skin, choose a true red lipstick shade. That's one that's in the apple or fire engine family. Use the white paper trick if you're unsure of the shade.

Carefully apply the color with a lip brush for a smooth and even application.

The true red lipstick perfectly complements medium skin tones.

Lipstick on the Teeth?
"The moment you're done applying your lipstick, take a q-tip, pop it in your mouth and pull it out. The q-tip gets rid of all the lipstick on the inside of your lips, so when you smile it doesn't get on your teeth," explains Carmindy.

Dark Skin Shades
When you have darker skin, be sure to choose a dark shade, like garnet or sangria. "If you go with a bright, bold red, it's going to look a bit clownish and you want it to look sophisticated, which is what the darker red will do," says Carmindy.