A lot of the women I know have had somewhat similar experiences with this classic color. When it's not the challenge of application, it's making it through the day or night without having it bleed so much that it makes you wonder if they're auditioning for a role on True Blood.
For me, the challenge wasn't so much the application or even tolerating the product's endurance (although, that took some getting use to all on its own); it was more or less choosing that "right shade" of lipstick. Here's a nice article that gives you a red alert on fabulous products to help you achieve that perfect red lip.
Personally, I like M.A.C's Russian Red simply because it's a stunning red and it's matte. I've noticed that one or two of the red lipsticks I used in the past were not as matte or had a gloss in them. I prefer the matte look a lot of the time.
However, when I'm looking for an equally sexy, but not as classic, lip shade, I go for my CG Outlast Lip Stain in Burgundy. Since it is a lip stain, which usually dries out your lips rather quickly, I wear it with a balm and sometimes any lip gloss with a pinker undertone, then I'm ready to go.
A plus tard!
