Hair's the Scoop

Splash News

Leave it to "Blair Waldorf" (aka the lovely Leighton Meester) to add a dose of youthful sophistication to the season's electric orange lip.

To achieve a similar effect, be sure to pair your look-at-me lip color with an otherwise understated look (think: brushed brows, semi-matte skin and bronzed cheeks, as the "Gossip Girl" star models above).

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Emma Watson models one of spring's most polarizing trends at the 2011 MTV Movie Awards.

Getty Images, Splash News

Do you color-match your lippie, like Eva Mendes? Or do you prefer to use your lip color to contrast an outfit, like Michelle Trachtenberg?

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There's nothing like a playful pop of color to brighten one's complexion, mood and outfit.
Find your best finish in one of these deliciously ripe picks:

Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur in Pure Watermelon
This sheer, mango-scented gloss should come marked, "Warning: contents may cause extreme addiction."
($30, YSL.com.)

Make Up For Ever Glossy Full Couleur in Tangerine
Striking a perfect balance between barely-there and look-at-me, this moisturizing lippie works for any occasion. ($19, Sephora.com.)

Dolce & Gabbana Classic Cream Lipstick in Cosmopolitan
Its luxurious feel— both in formula and casing — (almost) makes one wish this lipstick weren't so long-lasting. ($30, Saks.com.)

NARS Lipstick in Heat Wave
Enriched with vitamin E, this striking, semi-matte lipstick provides long-lasting, full-bodied color without drying or cracking. ($24, NarsCosmetics.com.)

Illamasqua Intense Lip Gloss in Mistress
Pigment-rich, look-at-me lip color that provides fullness and shine, sans the stickiness you might expect from a gloss. ($20, Sephora.com.)

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Don't think you could pull-off a bright orange lip, like Selena's? Think again. From sheer gloss to matte lipstick, there's a formula out there for everyone.

Step One: Identify Your Undertones.
First, you'll need to determine your skin tone. Have pink, red, beige or brown undertones? You're considered "cool." If your skin has a yellow, olive or bronze tint to it, you're "warm."

Now that that's settled, you can find your best shade — of any lip color — in a flash. In terms of orange hues, opt for blue and pink undertones if you're cool, and brown, red and golden if you're warm.

Our picks: (W) Shu Uemura Vinyl Unlimited Lip Gloss in Orange ($20, ShuUemura-USA.com); Givenchy Rouge Interdit Satin Lipstick in Fruity Orange ($28, Sephora.com), Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Orange Shiver ($34, YSLBeautyUS.com), NARS Lipstick in Outsider ($24, Sephora.com); (C) Make Up For Ever Lipstick in Flourescent Orange 201 ($19, Sephora.com), Philosophy Beach Girl Lip Shine ($10, Philosophy.com), Korres Cherry Oil Lip Gloss ($17, KorresUSA.com).

Step Two: Seek Your Most Flattering Finish.
If your lips are thin, opt for a glossy finish when experimenting with bold hues, and a sheer finish when going matte. Also, try priming your pout with a lip plumper for added effect.

Have a full kisser? Go matte when wearing strong shades and glossy when going sheer. Lip liner can also help to define and minimize your mouth, if that's a concern.

Step Three: Find Your Comfort Zone.
If you're fearful of orange tones, don't purchase bright, opaque lipsticks on a whim. You'll never wear them (and won't look comfortable when you do). Instead, experiment with lip stains, balms and sheer glosses to find your best look. Or, if you've already invested in look-at-me lippies, dab a little in the center of your lips and coat with clear (or sheer) lip gloss to minimize impact and maximize wear.

Will you be wearing an orange lip this season?