Like the classic LBD every girl should have, she should also have the perfect red lipstick – a classic colour that's worn through all the seasons and never dates. Here are some hot red lipsticks we're loving, and how to perfect that red pout.

To start off, make sure you choose the correct red shade for your skin tone, which could also depend on the colour of your skin's under tone. Some of us are blessed with a complexion that suits any red, but for those of us who aren't, take these into account.



Fair skin tone: Coral red shades look great on this tone. They are not overpowering, and add just the right pop-of-red to your lips. Even a matt red, which borders on the 'orangey' side, also works well.
TRY: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Crème in shade #920 (Revlon Red), R99.95.

Olive to toffee (medium) skin tone: You have more freedom to play with the berry colours if you have this skin tone. From true reds, to anything with a pink shade to it works well.
TRY: Ofra Lipstick in shade #19, R131.29, Revlon Charlie True Lip Colour in shade 033 Royal Red, R55.95, Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lipstick, in Rouge 01, R170, and Jane Iredale Pure Moist Lip Colour in Carrie, R251.



Dark skin tone: Deep reds and burgundy shades are your reds to try. Rich colours look oh-so-good on you.
TRY: Accessorize Lipstick shade 3 in Plum Berry, R69.99, Sensai Lasting Treatment Rouge in Kabasakura, R365 (launching this September) or Max Factor Lipstick in shade 815 Night Valley, R99.95.

Now that you know which shade of the red spectrum you fall into, here's how to perfect that pout.

1. Exfoliate your lips to allow for smooth application. Apply a base coat to help with this process. It will also help your lipstick last longer and get rid of any creases. A nude lip liner pencil will also do the trick. Try Sensai Lip Base, R295.
2. Invest in a lip brush and apply your colour with it – it allows for precise and easy application.
3. Start with your upper lip at your cupids bow and then fill in the rest of your top lip, moving onto your bottom.
4. Clean up any mess by running your lip brush with some concealer around the outside edges of your lips.

Remember practise makes perfect. Consult a make-up counter/artist if you are still not sure of your perfect red shade.