I used to be so jealous of my friends who could pull off a red lip. Until recently, the red that came the closest to flattering my lips was Fresh’s Sugar Passion Lip Treatment, because it’s softer and leaves a cute pop. It even looks cute when the color bleeds past the edges of my lips. I apply it like Chapstick – not a lipstick. A few months ago, in one of my experimental moods, I purchased Nars Dragon Girl – a cult classic in the beauty world – based on a trusted recommendation from Glow Girl and jewelry guru Danielle Snyder. I applied the bright red color directly onto the lips, and using my ring finger, blended it in perfectly. And just like that, I had given into the authentic red lip trend. Since then, I have tried a number of different reds and other deep colored lipsticks, but unfortunately, they are not always so easy to apply (in the blurred edge kinda way). I decided to create a lipstick tutorial, for all the lipstick novices out there to help them perfect that pout. The result – lips too chic to resist.

Step 2: Moisturize your lips using a lip mask (which I just confessed my obsession for here) or a super moisturizing lip balm, like Jouer Lip Enhancer Conditioning Treatment. Leave the balm or mask on as long as possible, so do the rest of your makeup while this soaks in.

Step 3: Remove the balm/mask, and make sure your lips are totally dry.

Step 4: Apply a little translucent setting powder to the lips. This is what makes your lipstick really stick, and prevents bleeding outside the lip line.

Step 5 (Now this is the trick!): Line your lips with a skin-toned lip pencil. I love Kevin Aucoin’s Flesh Toned liner, but find one that really matches you lip color.

Step 6: Apply lipstick to the cupids bow area and then to the outer corners and bottom of the lip. Then blot and fill in the rest of the lips. I am using good ole’ Nars Dragon Girl throughout all images. It’s the perfect blueish bright matte red.

Step 7: Using a small brush or your ring finger, apply HD Powder to your lips. Then (lightly) repeat step 6. The setting powder is key to making your lip color last all day or night and also prevents bleeding.

Step 8: Lastly, using a small concealer or lip brush, apply concealer on top of any areas that need cleaning up. You can also use a q-tip and eye makeup remover.

You can read on about my favorite red lipstick colors here and here.