Feeling patriotic this 4th of July, but not sure you can pull off red lipstick? When you envision yourself wearing a shade of scarlet, I am sure you imagine classic and cool, not clownish. The secret to channeling Marilyn Monroe instead of Bozo is to let your lips take center stage by wearing neutral, natural hues of makeup on the rest of your face. Your face should look clean and fresh with perhaps a hint of champagne eye shadow, some lash enhancing mascara and eyeliner the same color as your eyes. Skip the blush and go for a tinted moisturizer (with SPF) if you want your cheeks to have a bit of color.

A vital element in choosing the right red is to complement your skin tone. When researching befitting makeup colors, I have always found it hard to grasp the meaning behind cool and warm skin tones, so an easier way to select your shade of red is to base it on whether your skin has a pink, an olive or a yellow tone. Pink toned skin is better paired with plum based reds, those with yellow toned skin should opt for reds with a brown base, and those with olive skin can reach for a true candy apple red.

Once you are wielding your new tube of lipstick in front of the mirror, prevent feathering by lining your lips with a lip pencil that matches your natural lip color, or by dabbing your lip line with foundation for a flawless application. Both procedures will frame your lips to better contain the color. To prevent red lipstick from getting on your teeth, after applying, pucker your mouth around your index finger and drag it through your lips. This will remove any stray color.

Even armed with knowledge, red lipstick choices can definitely be trial and error, and if you find yourself with a drawer full of cast off lipsticks, do not fret. Mix and match the reds by blending and layering them, or experiment by swiping a tinted gloss atop to mute or alter the color.

Most importantly, wear your red lips with a healthy dose of confidence. Go out under the starry sky and have a blast watching, and perhaps making some fireworks!