I am a fan of lipstick! I like it pale and I love it dark! Realistically, I don't dress up my lips very often, but I was super excited when I read a trick (so simple and obvious) for red lips that made them sooo wearable. First I took my Bobbi Brown Kir Lipstick (a plummy brown) and swiped it on the top and bottom lip. Next I lined with Nars Salsa Lip Pencil (perfect reddish brown). Blot with tissue. Now here's the trick, I applied a brighter red, Revlon ColorBurst Lipstick in True Red, to the center of my lips and pressed my lips together. Somehow the brightness in the center gave me the classic red lip, but the plum base kept it from looking garish. Plus with the layers the color lasted for several hours. Just don't put gloss over the top! 
