Read My Red Lips.

When you think of the color red, you think sexy, seductive, confident, and fierce. So its undeniably appropriate that when you see a luscious red pout, you are automatically captivated by it's boldness. The fact that red lips can make such a statement about a woman's demeanor and attitude is simply powerful.
Red lips exude class and if you notice it never never goes out of style. A good red lipstick that works accordingly with your skin tone and facial features is the only accessory you need to stand out. Just imagine for a moment the Old Hollywood starlets who vamped up their image with a sultry red lip- Marilyn Monroe, Lucille Ball, Rita Hayworth, even Joan Crawford. They were strong women who silently screamed with a gaze or a peck, "Look at me!" Nowadays, we rarely see Gwen Stefani, Madonna or Christina Aguilera, who like to channel the former starlets of the silver screen, without their signature red.

But everyday women sometimes get overwhelmed picking a red shade that best suits them due to the mass selection at their local drugstore or department store counter. I agree, it can be too much. But fret not my fashionistas! There is a perfect shade of red for you out there and I'm here to choose a few that might rev your fiery engines. Red is a versatile color and anyone can wear it. I personally love a red lip. When I'm feeling a little less than confident or sleep deprived, a red lip is the perfect pick me up that turns my look and my mood around. I suddenly feel like I could conquer the world with my tube of rouge!

The key to a red lip is to make that the focus of the face. Don't draw attention to heavy smokey eyes, or over blushed cheeks (yikes!). Let your lips do the talking. Literally. Also, if you dread the unappealing lipstick "bleed", here's a little trick-- try adding some concealer and powder to the lips before applying your shade, so that way the color stays in place and not all over your mouth like a vampire who just finished its feeding.

Here are some of my top picks!

- L'oreal Paris Colour Riche Nurturing and Protective Lipcolour in True Red $8.95- Not only is this lipstick very budget friendly at nine dollars, but it's a creamy and classic shade of red. Not too deep and definitely not a bright red, this is a good beginner's red for those taking their first plunge.

- Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Scarlet Siren $24- This shade is a bright red with subtle hints of berry. So if you are looking for a healthy mix, this color will boost your sexy yet flirtatious factor up a notch.

- Poppy King for J. Crew $18- The lipstick queen teamed up with J.Crew to release this sizzling orange-red shade. It's considered a best-seller and with good reason! The color is universal and works well whether your fair, olive or dark skinned. The orange element gives it a nice burst of color.

- Nars Heat Wave- $24- I basically lived in this shade all summer. Like Poppy, it is a bright orange-red that lives up to it's name. It's hot and a quick attention grabber. This shade is not for the wall flower trendsetter. It has the power to stop traffic and turn heads!

- Nars Jungle Red $24- This lipstick is one of my personal favorites. I love the way this feels on my lips. It's silky, matte, and I can't help but feel like a vixen with this glamorous red. It's a true red and I often use it as my secret weapon.

- MAC Dubonnet Red $14.50- Va-va Voom! This red is rich, deep, and vampy. For those that prefer a darker, almost burgundy-brick red, this color is absolutely divine. It's a throwback to a retro-vintage era. If you want to command a room with one glance at your pout, this color will do the trick.