Hot Off the Runway: Red Lips!

We got the backstage pros to spill exactly what they did. At Victoria Beckham’s show, makeup artist Diane Kendal applies Sunday Riley Modern Lip Color in Persuasive ($32, barneys.com).

Think of this as a starter red. “The beautiful thing about lipstick is it’s temporary—take risks!” says Shiseido’s Dick Page, who made custom shades for the models at Marc by Marc Jacobs. Want your own? We love this universally flattering one (it’s like red lipstick with training wheels). And PS: use liner too. Matte tends to feather. Wear with: everything you own. Shiseido Makeup Perfect Rouge in Valentine ($25, shiseido.com)

You’ll be the center of attention (in a good way!) with an eye-catching red like this. “The inspiration was dark fairy tales,” says makeup artist Pat McGrath, of CoverGirl. She created this look for the Viktor & Rolf show. To keep things from going too goth-vampire, layer a little of a lighter pink gloss in the middle, and blot. Wear with: something super sexy. CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipcolor in Euphoria ($6.50, at drugstores)

Bolder than the matte version, this one’s for un-shy days. At SportMax, “We used a true red, which enhances any complexion beautifully,” says makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury, who used MAC cosmetics. Keep the blush and eye makeup to a minimum, but don’t be afraid of strong brows to balance out that red pop of color. Wear with: the perfect LBD. MAC Lipstick in Brave Red ($15, maccosmetics.com)