3 vampy lip colors you can wear without feeling like an idiot

We've got to admit to ourselves that not all trends are created equal.  Some trends come out and we can all rest easy that it's something we can pull off... and then there are trends like the vamp lip... For some this trend screams GREAT HOLIDAY PARTY LIP and for others it brings back memories of high school students that wore lots of black eyeliner and dog collars as necklaces.  Fortunately, this trend doesn't have to be as harsh as it seems.  A few rules of thumb will help you to make it wearable.  
Think of it like you would a regular red lip:
-The color in the tube can be deceiving, so try a swipe on the skin first before purchasing.
-Keep the rest of the makeup subtle.
-Layer on a little at a time to build up to your desired intensity.
-And, most importantly, you must find the right color for your skin tone.

Here are 3 of my favorite vampy lip colors:

For light skin tones: By Terry Rouge Terrybly in Carnal Attraction

Let's face it, light skin tones have it the toughest with these vampy lip colors because it can look really harsh.  This By Terry pick makes the list because of it's blue-red undertones (read: flattering on many skin tones) and it's creamy texture.  It leaves lips feeling moisturized all day because it's actually good for your lips with its anti-aging technology.

For medium skin tones: Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Terre De Feu

If you're the Sofia Vergera type, you're probably the ideal candidate for a bold lip look like this.  Just be careful with the va-va voom eyelashes or eyeliner because this look can easily go from "sophisticated" to "lady of the night".  This formula is quite matte and extremely long-wearing, without making lips feel dry or chapped.  

For deep skin tones: Covergirl Blast Flipstick in Intense

This double-ended lipstick has one light, shimmery color on one end, and a deep, vampy color on the other.  This vampy color looks almost purple in the tube, but when applied gives a sheer wash of that perfect, deep merlot color that basically defines vampire (see patch test on my arm below).  

From left to right: Rouge Terrybly in Carnal Attraction, Nars Terre De Feu, and Covergirl Blast Flipstick in Intense