When shopping for a flattering shade of party-ready red lipstick, don’t worry about determining whether you have cool or warm undertones -- rely on your skin color instead. “The general rule is that fairer skin tones should seek out orange-reds, while deeper complexions should opt for pinker-reds,” says Poppy King, founder of Lipstick Queen. When applying, “use a lip brush instead of applying lipstick straight from the tube,” suggests King. “That way you can control the color better.”

Hair by Lisa-Raquel Using Redken at See Management. Makeup by Keiko Takagi.

Instead of applying gloss on top of lipstick, do the reverse. It might seem counterintuitive, but “the luminosity of gloss under lipstick helps add volume,” says Rick DiCecca, a New York City makeup artist. Try layering a peachy gloss with golden shimmer underneath a warm sunset-colored lipstick like La Prairie Cellular Luxe Lip Colour in Pink Coral ($55, shoplaprairie.com).

Hair by Lacy Redway for TRESemme. Makeup by Keiko Takagi Using Chanel at See Management.

No time for white strips or a trip to the dentist’s office? Stash a no-brush, no-rinse whitening polish like Supersmile Quikee ($16, supersmile.com) in your purse and apply it on your way to the party and after sipping top stain offenders like coffee, tea, or Cabernet. Another option: “Chew a stick of sugarless gum, which helps remove surface stains from teeth,” says Marc Lowenberg, DDS, a partner at Lowenberg, Lituchy & Kantor.

Hair by Lacy Redway for TRESemme. Makeup by Keiko Takagi Using Chanel at See Management.

To make lipstick stay put, cover the surface of your lips with a clear lip pencil or primer, emphasizing the edges to create an invisible barrier. This will create a sheer base for lipstick to cling to. When applying color, reach for a matte formula, which is less likely to smudge than wetter, glossier lipsticks. Smooth it on with a lip brush to control where the pigment goes.

Hair by Lisa-Raquel Using Redken at See Management. Makeup by Keiko Takagi.

The key to getting high-lacquer lips that last is applying a thin layer of lipstick to lips before using gloss. Gently blot the lipstick with a tissue to remove some of the oils from the formula. This will supply a sticky surface for the gloss to adhere to. Avoid licking your lips before applying product, says Carmindy, a celebrity makeup artist and cocreator of Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired by Carmindy. “Saliva prevents the hue from sticking to your kisser,” she explains.

Hair by Lisa-Raquel Using Redken at See Management. Makeup by Keiko Takagi.