Your New Lipstick Waredrobe

By Instyle
Updated Apr 07, 2015 @ 10:43 am
Credit: Courtesy Photos

Your New Lipstick Waredrobe

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Your New Lipstick Wardrobe

Credit: Alexandra Wyman/WireImage; Marion Curtis/startraksphoto; Time Inc Digital Studio

This fall there's a strikingly chic lip color for every mood, so why just stick to one hue? We asked the pros how to best pull off each of the season's five key shades, no matter your skin tone.

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Burgundy

Credit: Marion Curtis/startraksphoto

"This color is a nod to film noir," says makeup artist Pati Dubroff, who created Kate Bosworth's bold look. "Wearing a dark lipstick like this is definitely a strong statement-not to mention extremely glamorous."

HOW TO: Burgundy is best applied by pencil or straight from the bullet, without any matching lip liner underneath. "Otherwise, you'll get a dark ring around the mouth if your lipstick wears off," says Dubroff. To cut the intensity, just swipe on a clear lip balm first, she explains. A purple-based port looks best on fair skin, a berry with slight brown undertones pops against medium complexions, and a rich, shimmery wine stands out on darker tones.

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For fair skin

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NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Volga, $25

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For medium skin

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Chanel Ultra Wear Lip Colour in Almandine, $34

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For dark skin

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Sephora Rouge Cream Metalized lipstick in R27 Magnetism, $12

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Hot Pink

Credit: Nicolas Briquet/ABACA/startraksphoto

"Pink has an amazing pop to it," says Alicia Keys's makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff, who gives it points for versatility too. "It pairs well with bronzer and really well with smoky eyes."

HOW TO: Apply directly from the tube, working from the outer corners in toward the center of the lips. "This prevents you from going beyond your mouth's natural borders," Sheriff says. Dab with a sponge, then set with loose powder. Remember: The deeper your skin tone, the darker the pink (lighter shades can look chalky).

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For fair skin

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Covergirl Lip-Perfection Lipcolor in Spellbound, $7

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For medium skin

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Dior Rouge lipstick in Star Fuchsia, $32

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For dark skin

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Mary Kay Crème lipstick in Hibiscus, $13

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Coral

Credit: Bill Davila/startraksphoto

"Coral adds a glow to your skin and has a retro charm to it," says Myface Cosmetics Artistic Director Kabuki, who works with Heard.

HOW TO: For maximum effect, make sure your application is ultra-precise. Work the color into your lips with a small brush, and perfect the edges with a flat eyeliner brush. Kabuki blended red and orange stains for Heard, but if you're fair as well, a rosy coral will look great. Try a vibrant melon hue on medium complexions and a gold-flecked version on darker skin.

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For fair skin

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Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Beta and NSFW, $15 each

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For medium skin

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Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid lipstick in Muse, $28

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For dark skin

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Estée Lauder Pure Color Vivid Shine Lipstick in Fireball, $25

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Cherry Red

Credit: Alexandra Wyman/WireImage

"Red pulls your look together," says Carola Gonzalez, Washington's makeup pro. "It's strong, powerful, and feminine-it says 'I've got it all.'"

HOW TO: For a neat, polished, and symmetrical red like Kerry Washington's, trace around lips with a pencil matched to your lipstick. Then swipe on two coats for impact, says Gonzalez. Berry red flatters fair skin, a true red works on medium tones, and a deep orangey rouge pops on darker complexions.

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For fair skin

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Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Cherry Blossom, $8

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For medium skin

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MAC Cosmetics Lipstick in Ruby Woo, $15

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For dark skin

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Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Coromandel, $32.50

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Nude

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"A shade one level darker than your natural lips creates subtle contrast. That's classic but also modern," says makeup artist Jeanine Lobell.

HOW TO: "Nude will cake up if it's applied wrong, so use a light hand," notes Lobell, who has worked with Cate Blanchett. Swipe on color from the tube, spreading it out with a lip brush. "I like to overdraw edges slightly to define the shape of the mouth," she says. Rosy hues bring warmth to fair skin, peachy beiges play up medium tones, and copper sparkles on darker complexions.

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For fair skin

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Burberry Beauty Lip Cover in No. 2 Cameo, $30

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For medium skin

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Dior Rouge Nude lipstick in Indiscrete, $32

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For dark skin

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Chantecaille Lip Chic lipstick in Isis, $35

MORE: See our top makeup, hair and skincare picks of 2012 in "InStyle"'s Best Beauty Buys list.

MORE: Try beauty trends yourself in our Daily Beauty Tip.

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