Nothing exudes bombshell appeal, takes a face from au natural to done, or says “grown-up and ladylike” like the impeccable red lip. And if there was anyone born to wear a scarlet pout, day or night, for running errands or going to a cocktail party, it is the ever-refined and retro Dita Von Teese. How can you not be obsessed with Dita?! Her perfect shade of red, juxtaposed against a porcelain face and oversized shades, is the ultimate in Hollywood glamour.

Dita’s all-time favorite red lipstick is Dior‘s Rouge Dior Lip Color ($30), in the appropriately named shade of “Dolce Vita.” Big and bold crimson isn’t for everyone – there are many spins you can put on the red lip, depending on the shade and texture of the lipstick. My personal favorite is Chanel Rouge Allure lip color ($32) – “Passion” is an almost universally wearable shade. Nars‘ Pure Matte Lipstick in “Vesuvio” ($25) is rich, lush, and impossibly opaque, while Yves Saint Laurent‘s Rouge Pur Couture in “Le Rouge” ($30) is a smooth, satiny gypsy red. For those who don’t want a full-on commitment, Lipstick Queen‘s “Medieval” Tinted Treatment ($20) is a light and sheer nod to a time when full-coverage lipstick was considered a sin. Indeed, red lipstick has making good girls go bad and bad girls look better since the Middle Ages!