Red lips have proven their longevity in the beauty world now for a few seasons, but lately their bolder counterpart has been working its way up the trend thermometer. As we saw in her Spring 2011 show, Lela Rose is obsessed with a vibrant, strong lip to accompany her collection down the runway. For this coming season, Stila Pro Artist for Beauty.com Sarah Lucero shifted gears towards the darker side and created focus around a deep brown-red lip for Lela Rose's Fall 2011 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Here are her five tips for getting this wine-stained hue to work for you.

1. Invest in a good lip balm. The problem with dark lipstick is that it highlights the dehydrated nooks and crevices of your pout. Lucero recommends By Terry Rose Balm, but any of these 33 picks will do. If your lips are flaking, gently rub them with a warm, damp washcloth, then slather on a hydrating (but not glossy) balm.

2. Have the right tools. Lucero used the Stila #6 Lip Brush, which has a flat and narrow head with bristles that round out in a defined edge. Applying lip color with a brush instead of straight from the tube allows you to have more control over the intensity of the color and where it goes.

3. Begin in the right place. Lucero advises to load the brush up with product first, then start applying it right in the middle of your bottom lip. To get this "sexy siren" shade as Lucero called it, she mixed Stila Long Wear Lip Color in Daring with Stila Smudge Pot in Brown. It's important to pre-mix enough product beforehand so that you can ensure that your lips get finished in the same hue.

4. Take your time while perfecting. Using the loaded-up color on your bottom lip, start bringing it out to the rest of the area in small, short brush strokes. Use the precise tip of the brush to line the lips if you need a guide, although Lucero chose not to use a lip liner for this particular look.

5. Go neutral on the rest of your makeup. Lucero kept the models' skin clean and clear, using just Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer and Stila Perfecting Concealer. On the eyes, she used the cult-favorite Stila Kitten Eye Shadow, along with other Stila eye shadow shades Chinois and Eden. She topped off lashes with Stila Major Lash Mascara and added a pop of color to cheeks using an exclusive to-be-released Stila Convertible Color shade due out in Fall 2011.

Here's the final look below. Don't her lips look like she's either been eating bing cherries or sipping a nice merlot?

Tell us: Are you a fan of the dark lipstick trend?

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