RI Beauty Expert: Bold Red Lips

Hundreds of red lipsticks carried the name Victory Red during WWII. Women wore the color because it made them feel brave and bold. Now is a great time to capture that hidden power with the perfect red lipstick. And timing couldn't be better because tans are fading fast and the nudes of summer suddenly feel over. A slash of crimson will liven up your look and be a pretty nod to fall's fearless new looks.

Texture

If you're shy, try a red lip gloss. Not a syrupy or sheer one - but a penetrating color that's softened with gloss. Chanel Lèvres Scintillantes Glossimers are particularly saturated but will still give red its proper day in the sun. We love Chene Rouge for its bittersweet vermilion hue. Nordstrom

Balance

Sexy scarlet lips call for a clean straight-forward eye. Anything more says "Send in the Clowns". A crisp black liner and bit of mascara will ensure that your gorgeous red lips will stand out on their own.

Which Red?

With darker skin tones, red lipstick is a compelling proposition but even the most porcelain of faces can handle red. There is literally a red lip for everyone. Here are some color guidelines:

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Warm undertones - a ruby-red tinged with orange or coral brings out skin's natural glow. Try MAC Cosmetics lipstick in Lady Danger. Macy's

Cool undertones - instead of fire-engine red, try a bright berry such as Cover Girl Lip Perfection lipstick in Hot. Target

Fair complexions look beautiful in pure cherry reds. It's charming and fresh and looks especially great with innocent freckles. Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Rich Girl Red. CVS

Dark complexions have the most options. Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Carnal is a fierce oxblood that's both sophisticated and fiery. Macy's

Along with the changing leaves on the tips of the trees, adding red lipstick to your late summer repertoire will give your face a touch of fall's promise. And like yesterday's valiant homefront ladies, it somehow marks you as a woman who is unafraid to make a statement.

Donna Macdonald is a freelance writer who enjoys covering topics of interest to women, especially fragrance, style, beauty. She has also written marketing material for a women's book that hit the New York Times Bestseller list and netted her an up close and personal discussion on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Donna currently writes her own personal blog, alovelyinconsequence.blogspot.com, where she also writes about issues close to a woman's heart. Donna believes that when a woman finds beauty in the world, she will find beauty in herself.