If I told you the number of times I have attempted “the perfect red lip,” you’d be surprised that I still have not figured it out. Somehow I always end up smudging it by the end of the night, leaving me with an embarrassing hint of red around my lips that makes it look like I’ve been hardcore making out with some guy (which is not what happened!).

As it turns out, this was all just a result of me not knowing how to correctly apply lipstick. I always thought it was as simple as swiping on a coat of whatever color I chose. Nope! There are several steps that come before the actual application of the lipstick!

Our friends at College Candy made a really great tutorial showing how to get that perfect red lip. They also say you can use this same technique with any color lipstick so feel free to experiment!

Head on over to College Fashion to see how to get the “perfect red lip”!

[Lead image via Halay Alex/Shutterstock]

In this video I’m going over some lip care tips and ways to pick out a good color so you can look kissable… and maybe see some fireworks of your own with the hottie at tonight’s 4th of July celebration! God bless America.

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False Lashes

Oh so fun and glamorous but a little too drag queeny 11 months out of the year, December is the perfect time to have fun with false lashes. Make Up For Ever has dozens of styles to play with. If you want something subtle, try the individual lashes to add a little fullness and fill in sparse areas. If you are feeling extra festive, MUFE has really over-the-top lashes with red or green tips, or even white feathers!

Make Up For Ever Eyelashes – $14 sephora.com

Metallic Eye Shadow

Heavy metal colors are perfect for the holidays. Golds and silvers are a great way to be festive without going straight for red and green. A gold metallic eye shadow is a perfect accessory to a little black dress – the holiday party staple. A silver shadow is the ideal way to glam up for New Year’s Eve. Try Lorac Glam Rocks in Metallic Gold for a molten gold look and Tarte Lock & Roll in Slate for a sexy silver.

Lorac Glam Rocks – $16 sephora.com

Tarte Lock & Roll – $17 tartecosmetics.com

Liquid Liner

A beauty classic full of glamour. Unless you are Dita Von Teese, you probably don’t wear liquid liner every day. But, hey, it’s the holidays and a slick liquid liner is a classy way to glam it up. Go for a classic black or try something more festive like Urban Decay’s Liquid Liner in Acid Rain or Shattered. If you are overflowing with holiday cheer, step it up with Urban Decay Heavy Metal liners that are full of sparkle and shine. Try it in Mullet for a bright green glitter or Distortion for a snow white icicle glimmer.

Urban Decay Liquid Liner – $18 urbandecay.com

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner – $18 urbandecay.com

Deep Red Lips

Yet another beauty classic. You’ve always wanted to take the risk, and the holidays are the perfect time to take the red lip plunge. Nars brand is famous for their red lipsticks and it’s a great place to look for your perfect shade. Just remember if you have a pink undertone to your skin (fair skinned ladies), use a blue based red like Afghan Red. If you are more yellow (tan skinned ladies), stick to an orange based red like Shanghai Express. Always use a matching lip liner, or else the color will bleed or feather and you’ll end up looking like crazy Aunt Edna, which kind of defeats the purpose. Lip liner plus a fab red shade equals classic elegance for the holidays!

Nars Lipstick – $24

Of course, no celebs are immune to the occasional “what the hell were they thinking?” moment, but for the most part, these celebs look foxy and fabulous and inspire us all to do the same.]

Dita Von Teese is famous for her infinitely sexy burlesque act (I actually saw her perform at a small party a few years back, and let me say, it is quite spectacular), and for having been married to freakish Marilyn Manson. Lately, however, she has been getting a new sort of notoriety: for her fabulous style.

Dita stands on her own as the Diva of Retro. She pulls off this look with vintage-inspired clothing, dramatic coloring and her signature pin-up hair and ruby red lips. She is a dream for many couture designers such as Marchesa, Vivienne Westwood, Roland Mouret and Christian Dior/John Galliano, as their gowns perfectly hug her amazing and almost unbelievable hourglass figure. She accentuates the beauty of her classic looks by adding fun and flirty accessories like sky-high heels and funky hats.

Dita embodies glamour like no one else and makes it look effortless in the process; that’s enough for me (or anyone) to consider her a Style Idol of our time.

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Perfect holiday dress!! SOOO cute!

Of course, no celebs are immune to the occasional “what the hell were they thinking?” moment, but for the most part, these celebs look foxy and fabulous and inspire us all to do the same.]

Gwen Stefani has long been associated with fashion; whether rocking her unique personal style, or showing her latest L.A.M.B line, Gwen knows what it means to be stylish. She’s never been afraid to take risks, and they almost always pay off. Her love of wild and bright prints, lots of color and, of course, her signature platinum hair and red lips, set Gwen apart from the rest of Hollywood’s fashionistas.

Gwen Stefani has never fit into the mold of “what’s hot now”; she created it. Despite the fact that she goes for bold choices, she carries them with an air that makes it all look effortless, owning the look instead of letting it own her.

It doesn’t matter if she’s pregnant or not, running errands or getting married; Gwen Stefani certainly knows how to make an impression.