If you've worn dark lipstick before, and found yourself getting frustrated at your natural lip color awkwardly showing through, this makeup trick is foolproof. Use red lipstick to to give your lips a natural ombre look. After applying dark lipstick in the color of your choice, add a dab of red to your inner lips. Then, blend it in. Doing this will make the eventual color fade a lot less harsh (via StyleCaster)

Here's another secret. Before you apply your lipstick, you should always exfoliate and then moisturize your lips so your lipstick glides right on. Not only will this make your dark color last longer, it'll get rid of any flaky skin (via Byrdie). Now that you've perfected your dark lip, you can get more creative with your overall makeup look. Don't be afraid to experiment with colors you've never tried before!