The transition to deeper, vampier lip colors might just be one of our favorite things about fall. The only problem? Well, they can be a little intimidating — not to mention, tough to pull off.

That's where celebrity makeup artist Mary Irwin comes in: she provided us with some great tips on how to rock a vampy lip, starting with some easy prep work. "Always make sure your lips are hydrated well — dark lips accentuate any dryness or flakes," says Irwin. "I always do a lip scrub (like the Wink Lip Scrub) and hydrate first, before I actually apply color."

Once your scrub has eliminated any flakes or dry spots, Irwin suggests blotting the lips and dabbing on a little foundation to help even out the tone. This also ensures that your color has something to stick to, which helps your lipstick last longer.

As for the actual application, Irwin advises applying color with a lip brush, for added precision. "Start in the middle of the lip, and work your way out, being very mindful of the lip lines," she explains. "Once you have the majority of the shape defined, use a liner to really define the lip — and keep plenty of cotton swabs on hand for any mistakes."

Now that you know how to pull off a statement lip, all that's left is to find the perfect shade! Here are a few of our favorite dark lipstick options, at every price point.

Image via Imaxtree

Create bulletproof lips with this matte neutral liquid lipstick, which delivers a decadent chestnut hue right to your pout.

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Achieve high-drama vampy lips with this comfy matte formula, which features a surprisingly easy to pull off deep brick hue — it's flattering on a wide range of a skin tones, to boot!

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This budget-friendly lipstick definitely helps you achieve that statement lip you love — it treats your pout to a classic red color that's undeniably breathtaking.

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This affordable lip color doesn't skimp out on quality, as it provides an alluring berry hue (that's undeniably sexy).

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