What Color Lipstick to Wear With A Red Dress

Jennifer Lawrence shows off a nude pout with her red dress at the 2011 Academy Awards in Hollywood.
... Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

That killer red dress you have hanging in your closet is crying out for sizzling makeup to match. But if you think painting on a sexy crimson pout is your only option, think again -- a lighter lipstick alternative just might be your prettiest play.

1 Fresh, Bold and Beautiful

According to celebrity makeup artists, the color red is so eye-catching that matching your lips to your bright red frock could border on overkill. Let your dress take center stage by opting for a nude lip. A neutral beige lipstick with just a drop of peach or pink gives a freshness to your look, offsetting the boldness of your scarlet dress. If your heart is set on matching your smile to your sheath, avoid a color clash by keeping the pigment light with a gloss instead of lipstick. A sheer blue-red shade flatters most skin tones and a dollop of clear or gold-flecked gloss in the middle adds a subtle shimmer.

Stacey Kole holds a Master's Degree in Education and has written for a variety of education publications. She also was managing editor of the International fashion and beauty publication Savvy, penning cover stories on such celebrities as Vanessa Hudgens and Julianne Hough.

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