Nothing says Valentine’s Day like a bold red lip. I personally don’t wear lipstick very often because my lips are highly pigmented as is and I find that most lipsticks are dehydrating, something that can be especially problematic come the winter. More often then not I opt for a mix of Blistex Lip Protection and Blistex Ointment (sexy I know…). When I do pull out some color Fresh’s Lip Treatment and Tom Ford’s lipsticks are my go-to. While red isn’t my usual go-to, I converted as soon as I saw Tom Ford  recently launched epic red lip shades. Created as a complement to the designer’s Jasmin Rouge Private Blend fragrance, the four limited-edition shades — two cherry red and two crimson red – come in both pearl and matte finishes…so so sexy! And they taste delicious…when does someone ever say that about lipstick?

No matter what shade of red you opt for, the key is to remember that red lips tend to bring out the redness in your complexion, which is not so great if you’ve got a lot of it like me; remember to matten out your skin with foundation and always scrub your lips to get rid of any flakes. Then, apply a moisturizing balm before layering on your lipstick. And, to optimize your color’s long-wear, seal it with a gloss. If you plan on using liner for extra impact, don’t forget to match the liner to the natural color of your lips, not the lipstick. Conversely if a bold red lip is still too intimating, opt for a stain (Hourglass has a great one).

Image: Zimbio