When we were asked not long ago to name one of the recent trends in makeup, we said Gloss Gone Wild, and may it rest in peace. Have you, too, had enough goopy, gooey, tacky, supershiny lip gloss fun? Are you just a little tired of the mouthy, pouty, look-at-my-glistening-lips-before-they-explode phenomenon that seems to have devoured the makeup world? Join the club.

We think it's time to revise our game plan to include a more sophisticated, refined, glamorous-looking mouth—and evidently, the people who bring us lipcolor have been thinking along the same lines. Because there's a new generation of lipsticks entering the playing field; the formulas are lighter, the finishes are matte, creamy, shiny (but not too shiny), and there's even a matte-satin hybrid (MAC Mattene). In some cases, the color is as sheer as any gloss. Beauty companies describe these lipsticks with terms such as "butter-like" and "gel-soufflé." But what makes them so delicious and how do you find the one for you?

Step 1: Choose a Color

"Pigments now are richer and look more vibrant because they've been formulated to reflect light better," says Wilson. There are no hard-and-fast rules for finding the best shade for you—especially because some of the new, more transparent formulas are flattering to almost everyone. But there are a few guidelines worth noting:

• If you want to play it safe, don't go more than a couple of shades lighter or darker than your natural lip color.
• Typically, fair skin is most flattered by colors with blue undertones, especially roses and pinks; olive skin looks great in warm plums and can pull off beiges without looking washed out; dark skin can carry deep, deep crimsons.
• Your hair counts, too: The lighter it is, the brighter your lipcolor will look.
• Consider your teeth: If they have a slight yellowish cast, lipsticks with blue undertones (including plums, wines, and pinks) may brighten them. (Or try Benefit California Kissin' Lip Shine; it has a slight blue sheen and can be applied over any lipstick.) Coral and orange lipcolors (not to mention that second glass of red wine) will make the problem worse.

Finding the Perfect Lipstick continues…

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