Giving Good Lip

I'm pretty traditional when it comes to choosing lipstick. I love a good moisturizing gloss and lip color in the basic shades. I don't care for the way that a matte lipstick looks on me, so I stick with those with a hint of shine. I don't have any one brand that I prefer over another, I just buy what works. While they can look good on others, I steer clear of  all the of-the-moment shades----blue,  green, purple, black and that metallic gold that's so hot.

Allure Magazine shares a variety of  lip colors to suit every taste.

OMBRE

Two-tone lips look lush and full, and this beautiful version relies on a classic combination of red-based hues, so it's daring without being too out-there.

CHERRY RED

Jenna Dewan Tatum

Matchy-matchy makeup is having a major moment. Jenna Dewan Tatum's matte lipstick coordinates perfectly with her dress for a look that's unapologetically bold. But the matte finish and subdued eye makeup keep everything in check.

PURPLE

Shay Mitchell

Purple lips with too much of a blue base can range from goth to hypothermic, but the warm, fuchsia-infused tone here is as fun as it is flattering. Combined with a lilac-tinged blush and lots of mascara, it's utter perfection

PEARLY NUDE

Emma Stone

Consider this look evidence that shimmery lips can look natural, subtle, and modern. (Before laying eyes on Emma Stone, we wouldn't have believed it, either.)

MAGENTA

Cipriana Quann

OK, try to get past her amazing hair and perfect brows and just focus on the lips. How swoon-worthy is that vibrant pinkish purple? The best part: This is a shade that's flattering on just about anyone.

GLOSSY CRIMSON

Taylor Hill

The key to nailing this look is precision: To create crisp, sharp edges, use a lip pencil, then fill in lips with a brush. Liquid formulas can deliver that patent-like shine.

BUBBLE-GUM PINK

January Jones

Here's proof that the pinkest, Pepto-est lipstick can look badass (when paired with a perfectly mussed topknot and thick black cat eyes, that is).

METALLIC GOLD

Glint-y gilded lips are a look, to be sure—a really freaking cool one. After much experimenting, Allure's digital research editor Lauren Hubbard found that the best way to create them involves eyeliner.

GLOSSY PEACH

Jennifer Lopez

Let's be honest: J.Lo would look stunning in pretty much any lip color. But this warm, shiny peachy pink is about as sexy as it gets.

MATTE RASPBERRY

This look, the handiwork of makeup artist Robin Black, made us want to immediately run out and buy every matte pink lipstick we could find. (The one she used here is Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Intense Long-Wear Lip Colour in La Romanesque, for the record.)

MATTE FIRE-ENGINE RED

Joan Smalls

One glimpse at this photo and it couldn't be clearer why Joan Smalls has a beauty contract. The key to nailing superbright matte lipstick—other than painting it on with surgeon-like precision—is to start with lips that are totally flake-free. You'll want to bust out the lip scrub.

MATCHING NUDE LIPS AND NAILS

Nude lipstick—whether your version happens to be fair, like what's shown here, or darker—should always be soft and lively, not flat or grayish. Warm peach and rosy tones keep the shades from turning ashy. (The model in this shot is wearing Maybelline New York ColorSensational Lipstick in Nude Lust

FUCHSIA

Demi Lovato

Wet N Wild Megalast Lip Color in Don't Blink Pink is a great—and at $1.99 a tube, crazy-inexpensive—dupe for Lovato's vibrant, I'm-ready-to-have-fun-right-this-second lip color.

PLUM

Kerry Washington

A lip color this dark is usually moody and dramatic; but when it's paired with rosy cheeks and dewy skin, there's something upbeat and party-ready about it.

SHINY ORCHID

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong'o is the queen of pulling off any makeup color, but this vibrant orchid purple is surprisingly wearable for mere mortals, too. The high-shine finish makes it all the more eye-catching.

SOFT PEACH

Allover peach—yes, on your eyes, cheeks, and lips—is a pretty way to warm up your complexion without having to cake on the bronzer. "It's the perfect multiuse color," says Black, who likes Clé de Peau Beauté Extra Rich lipstick in Cherish

TANGERINE

Rihanna

Opaque, juicy tangerine lipstick is the anti-no-makeup-makeup choice. For a similar look, try Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Moisturizing Lipstick in Mandarin

BLACK CHERRY

This deep, dramatic hue was actually created using a sheer gloss. "There's no lipstick or liner here, just layer upon layer of dark gloss," says makeup artist Lucia Pica. "That's why this intense color still has a transparent element." If you're layering on a ton of gloss, Pica suggests keeping each layer thin and blotting at any globs with a tissue to even everything out.

MAUVE

Sofia Vergara

We're totally behind the resurgence of the '90s brown lip, but just in case you're not, this purply take on the shade is likely a more palatable way to get in on the #TBT-worthy trend.

GLOSSY RED OMBRÉ

Jennifer Lopez

There's nothing subtle about Lopez's ultraglam look, unless you count the subtlety of the barely perceptible gradient effect going on with her red lips. If you look closely, you'll notice that they're slightly darker toward the outer edges, which gives a luscious, candy-apple effect.

DEEP BURGUNDY

Keeping the rest of your makeup minimal—curled lashes, maybe some well-blended contouring, and groomed brows—makes the drama of lips this dark all the more effective, says Black, who created this look. "The combo of intense dark lips and a fresh nude face is a modern way to keep this deep shade from sliding into goth territory," she says.

EMERALD

Rihanna

Metallic forest-green lipstick is for the makeup daredevil (so, Rihanna). She's wearingDolce & Gabbana Sicilian Jewels Collection Lipstick in Emerald, but you can get a similar effect with NYX Cosmetics Wicked Lippie in Risque if you're looking for a less-expensive option.

LAVENDER

Allure market editor Tiffany Reid (shown here) has a go-to lip look: lavender lipstick (M.A.C. Lipstick in Heroine) with plum gloss (Lorac Alter Ego Lip Gloss in Free Spirit) over top. "My mom wears it, too," she says. We can totally see why.

COPPER

Olivia Palermo

To re-create Olivia Palermo's unique metallic lip situation here, look for a shade that's a few notches darker than a penny; a bronzy hue with a brick-red base keeps it grounded.

TOMATO-RED

Margot Robbie

To get long-lasting color with a velvety matte finish, layer a liquid lipstick over a base of lip pencil in the same shade for staying power. (Margot Robbie's makeup artist usedHourglass Panoramic Long Wear Lip Liner and Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Raven.)

DEEP WINE

Joan Smalls

We love this super dark, sultry shade on Joan Smalls almost as much as a glass of similarly hued malbec. Almost.

BROWNISH MAUVE

Zendaya Coleman

Zendaya is adventurous when it comes to makeup choices. Her slightly iridescent purply-brown lip color here serves as a highly convincing case study in why we should all be a little more daring with ours, too.

ALMOST BLACK

Lorde

So-dark-it's-basically-black lipstick isn't the easiest look to pull off, so props to Lorde for doing it so well. And for anyone hoping to follow in her footsteps (lip prints?), look for a shade that has a tiny hint of red or purple in it—that'll prevent you from looking like an extra who just wandered off the set of Twilight.

VELVETY RED

Janelle Monae

If you need extra incentive for wearing a slightly cooler, blue-based red lip color, like the one Janelle Monae's completely rocking here, keep in mind that it can also help your teeth look whiter. (Seriously, how toothpaste-commercial bright do hers look?)

ROSEBUD PINK

This shade is a classic for a reason: It's unfailingly pretty. Pair it with lots of highlighter for an ethereal effect, suggests Black. (She usedDolce & Gabbana The Lipstick in Ballerina on the model here.)

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