Crayons

Photo: Kevin Cremens

The Easiest Route to an Artfully Made-Up Mouth: A Crayon.
It delivers color evenly in one pass, and most formulas pack the moisturizing power of a balm. Choose a subtle watercolor stain (Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balms, $5; Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint, $24; Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balms, $16), a glossy wash of color (Sephora Collection Glossy Lip Pencils, $10; Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks, $8.50), or intense pigment (Nars Satin Lip Pencils, $25; Hard Candy All Glossed Up, $6).
Lipstick tubes

Photo: Kevin Cremens

The Colors: Red or rose, tangerine or fuchsia—all with a soft, juicy finish that makes lips look plumper

The Medium: Lipsticks, glosses and crayons

The Technique: Concentrate the color on the inner part of your lips, and gently press them together to blend it out. (Try lining with a neutral pencil if your lipcolor tends to bleed.)

Next: See our top choices
Burt's Bees Lip Shine in Pucker

Photo: Kevin Cremens

1. Sheer, lip-softening berry you can apply with your eyes closed: Burt's Bees Lip Shine in Pucker

$7; drugstores
MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in All Out Gorgeous

Photo: Kevin Cremens

2. Passionate, look-at-me red: MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in All Out Gorgeous

$22, MACCosmetics.com
Clarins Rouge Eclat in Nude Rose

Photo: Kevin Cremens

3. Half-nude, half-pink, completely stunning: Clarins Rouge Eclat in Nude Rose

$26, Clarins.com
Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Kiss You

Photo: Kevin Cremens

4. A shiny fuchsia that flatters all: Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Kiss You

$16, BenefitCosmetics.com
Givenchy Le Rouge in Mandarin Bolero

Photo: Philip Friedman/Studio D

5. Luxurious coral, infused with plumping hyaluronic acid: Givenchy Le Rouge in Mandarin Bolero

$36, Sephora.com
Dior Dior Addict Lipstick in Espiegle

Photo: Kevin Cremens

6. Baby pink with a light sheen: Dior Dior Addict Lipstick in Espiegle

$31, Dior.com
Shiseido Perfect Rouge in Titian

Photo: Kevin Cremens

7. Supersilky mauve-y rose: Shiseido Perfect Rouge in Titian

$25, Shiseido.com
NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel

Photo: Kevin Cremens

8. Peach gloss—intense but not tacky: NYX Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel

$5, NYXCosmetics.com
Sonia Kashuk Ultra Luxe Lip Gloss in Polished Plum

9. Dense, deep purple: Sonia Kashuk Ultra Luxe Lip Gloss in Polished Plum

$9, Target.com
Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids in Electric Orange

10. Fresh, ripe tangerine: Maybelline New York Color Sensational Vivids in Electric Orange

$7.50; drugstores

Next: 14 easy ways to enhance your eyes