The 5 Commandments of the New Matte Red Lip

Unless you're going for a high-editorial Marlene Dietrich tribute, treat the MRL as you would a stunning piece of jewelry: faux-carelessly, worn with quiet clothes, brushed-up fluffy brows, and not much else makeup, save for a few lashings of mascara and maybe some liner pushed into the lashline.

Lip contouring in action. Generally, dark around the edges, lighter in the center gives the illusion of fullness and a perfect shape.

On the other end of the spectrum, we've got the angora sweater of lipstick here, in which you run your fingertip to soften the edges for a just-been-carefully kissed effect. This is the anti-Instagram makeup.

Rule #43 of makeup, though it can't hurt to repeat it here: A contrast in textures looks best, so if your mouth is dry, go wet elsewhere, like with a dab of grease on the eye.

For a definitively un-old-fashioned act of daring, use a red in your crease, then again—mixed with something balmy—all over the lid. So now.