Autumn is defined by saturated color. Rust-colored leaves crunching underfoot; bright, friendly pumpkins waiting to be snatched up from the bodega nearby; golden fields sighing in the wind—their last breath before the cold of winter sucks away any semblance of color.

Wistful prose aside, when it comes to our fall beauty routine, we’re equally enamored with and inspired by warm, rich hues. There’s no better time to reach for that chocolate eyeshadow, deep navy liner, or crisp red lip. To help us master the red lip for fall, we caught up with celebrity makeup artist Tim Quinn for his expert tips.

1. Choose the Right Hue

Though always in style, a red lip is a particularly gorgeous choice for fall. “I always think red lips add a sophistication and elegance that perfectly align with the rich hues of fall fashion,” Quinn says.

They key to choosing a hue that works with your skin tone. Quinn suggests “fair skin looks best in blue based reds; medium to olive toned skin should try an orange based red; and darker complexions look great in brown-red and berry, wine tones.”

2. Keep Lips Hydrated

Especially in colder weather, hydrated lips are a necessity when wearing a standout lip color. Gently exfoliate your lips—Quinn likes Fresh Sugar Lip Scrub—and apply balm before color for a silky pout. Quinn also recommends, “Giorgio Armani’s new Rouge Ecstasy Lipsticks. They have shea butter for added comfort/healing and you can apply them directly from the tube.”

3. Prep Like a Pro

Once your lips are silky smooth, prep them for the longest lasting color possible. Lipstick primer is great, but Quinn has an expert, double-duty tip of his own: “put foundation on you lips first to neutralize” and help hold the lipstick in place.

4. Finish Your Look Flawlessly

According to Quinn, the most common mistake women make when wearing a red lip is “overdoing the rest of their look.” Keep the rest of your makeup clean, classic and simple with either “a classic cat eye or soft smoky eye,” he suggests.

Are you a red lip lover or too shy to try? Fill us in below!

Photo: Thinkstock