They’re as classic as the LBD (Little Black Dress) — ruby-red lips.

Pair ‘em together and, really, you don’t need anything else for Valentine’s Day. After all, the jewelry should come later.

To paint on the perfect pout, Peujon Nazifi — a makeup artist with Product By tiffany Maria Martin in La Encantada at East Skyline Drive and North Campbell Avenue — offered these simple instructions. Nazifi showed us how to create a “holographic lip,” which calls for dark liner, a lighter red lipstick and gold gloss.

How to do it:

Step 1. Start with lip liner. Nazifi used Smashbox’s Deep Mauve ($14) to outline Monica Rivera’s lips.

Liner is important because it “keeps the lipstick in place, so it doesn’t bleed,” Nazifi said.

If your lips are thinner, you might want to go just outside the lip line, suggested Nazifi.

Step 2. Starting with the bottom lip, use light, feathery strokes to coat the lips with red. Nazifi’s lipstick choice: Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Lip Tint in Poppia ($23), a sheer, true red.

Use the edge of the lipstick to get a precise line. Take extra care when coloring the cupid’s bow on the top lip.

Step 3. Apply gold, shimmery gloss (here Stila’s Lip Glaze in Vanilla, $22). Rub it on in the middle of the lips to “make lips hydrated and kissable,” Nazifi said.

If you’re going for fire-engine lips, keep the eye makeup neutral.

To make sure the red stays on your lips and not on your teeth, Nazifi suggests an old model trick: Rub a bit of of Vaseline on the front teeth.

Some products to try:

–CoverGirl’s Outlast Lipstain works like a magic marker — you draw right on your lips. Look for bangles it at drugstores. Suggested retail price is $7.29.

–TheBalm’s Stainiac, $15 at Face Me, in Beauty Queen (it comes in two other colors) is a great choice for someone who’s not ready to commit to a full-on red lip. “It’s a stain. Once you put it on, it stays put,” said Davina Salese. “Stainiac will give you that hint of color where it looks like you bit your lip.”

Another take

Sephora Pro Beauty Team Expert Amy Woodall offers her version of perfect red lips, with products available at Sephora, which has stores at the Tucson Mall and inside J.C. Penney, 5265 S. Calle Santa Cruz, near West Irvington Road:

“Begin by exfoliating your lips with Smashbox Emulsion Lip Exfoliant ($18). The sugar and poppy seeds gently remove dry, flaky skin while antioxidants condition the lips, leaving them ready for application.

“I like to start my application with Sephora Brand Tricks of the Trade Perfection Lip Primer ($12). This will prevent lipstick from creasing and color from running. Then, line your lips with Make Up For Ever Aqua Lips in shade Red 8C ($17). This is a true red. For lipstick, I am in love with Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in Underage Red ($18), a very sophisticated red, and then I layer with Kat Von D Lightning Lip Gloss in Strutter ($18), a sheer raspberry with iridescent glitter. The shimmer in this gloss will add luminous high shine with no sticky feeling.”

Picking the perfect red

Anyone can wear red lips — the trick is to match the red to your skin tone.

Davina Salese, who owns Face Me boutique, 1865 E. River Road, recommends blue-red lipstick for rings fair-skinned ladies. Those with olive complexions should try true red or brownish-red hues. Dark skin can pull off any red.

“To find the right shade, you just have to try it on,” Salese said.

Gloss or no gloss?

Red on its own is a strong look. For a more classic take, keep the lipstick bare, said Salese. “If you want a more glam, going-out, kind of party look, put the gloss on.”

Cheap stain

Try powdered Kool-Aid or Jell-O to add a rosy flush. Just dampen a finger or cotton swab and apply to your mouth.

Contact reporter Kristen Cook at kcook@azstarnet.com or 573-4194.