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Tips applying, choosing lipstick colors

By Liz Flahive

Story Highlights
* Gloss taking backseat to bold colors in lipsticks
* Exfoliate lips before applying a bold hue
* Melissa Silver: "Anyone can wear plum or sheer red" at night
* AJ Crimson likes subtle pink or sheer beige for all skin tones for day

After years in the bronze age, when sun-kissed cheeks and gloss reigned supreme, fall's return to glamour means that lipstick is making a major comeback. Lipstick outsold gloss by $76 million last year, and beauty companies are racing to launch new formulas that are more wearable than ever.

So pucker up. We'll show you how to apply lipstick perfectly, along with the most flattering shades for day and night.

For foolproof application, stick with sheer, subdued shades in the morning and save deep, bold colors (which require more time and precision) for night.

Daytime equation

1. Condition and protect with a balm that contains sunscreen. "Dab some on immediately after getting out of the shower, when your lips are still a little moist," suggests Hollywood pro Kara Yoshimoto Bua. The smoother your lips, the more perfect your lipstick will look.

2. Choose a soft shade such as rose or nude that you can apply straight from the tube. A hydrating formula ensures a smooth coat of color.

3. Blot, reapply and blot again to remove excess oils and create a stain, says Bua. "The color looks more natural and lasts longer." Instead of tissues, use lint-free blotting papers.

Nighttime equation

1. Exfoliate before applying a bold hue like red or burgundy.

2. Create a base with a gel-based primer that fills in fine lines around the mouth and helps lipstick go on more smoothly.

3. Define the borders of your mouth with a pencil to prevent color from bleeding, says Robin Fredriksz. To avoid an unnaturally dark outline, use a shade that's lighter than your lipstick.

4. Brush on color for more control.

Makeup artists' favorites

Just like us, cosmetics pros use the same lipsticks again and again. From the just right daytime rose to the classic evening red, here are some of their all-time go-to picks for day and night.

Carmindy's neutral picks for day are designed to "enhance your natural lip color." For night she recommends dark berry or true red for all skin tones.

AJ Crimson likes a subtle pink or sheer beige for all skin tones during the day. For night he recommends bright red for fair complexions and a deep purple for darker ones.

Melissa Silver uses fuchsia on cool skin tones and peachy nude on warm ones for day. For night, she says, "anyone can wear plum or sheer red."