You're not afraid to rock a bold red lip , but red eyeshadow? We know; it sounds like one of those avante garde runway trends that doesn't exactly translate IRL. After all, red eyes are rarely associated with anything good: pink eye, a bad break-up, extreme fatigue, and demonic possession are just a few conditions that immediately come to mind. Not exactly sexy. But you'll have to trust us here, because when done right, experts say wearing a crimson shade on your eyes is totally wearable, and actually quite stunning.

"Red eyeshadow can work on anyone-it's just a matter of finding the right shade and application for you," says Maybelline New York makeup artist Gabriel Almodovar. Whether you wear it as a quick flash of color, or a full-blown smoky, we can help you pull it off while looking gorgeous. Check out our tips for how to rock the look, and soon the only thing you'll be associating a red eye with, is looking hot!

The Prep Work

Makeup artists say don't skip these super-important steps.

Pick the right red

" Just like any colored makeup product, the right tone of red eyeshadow makes all the difference," says Maybelline New York makeup artist Gabriel Almodovar. You have to consider your skin tone. For example, if you have dark skin, a light red won't show up against your skin, he says. Here are the rules of thumb, according to Almodovar:

Even out your skin

Don't pick up that red eyeshadow just yet. Our experts say you want to and perfect your skin before applying your eyeshadow. "I like to work on the skin first to make sure there is no redness," says makeup artist Jessika Bekteshi. "A red eyeshadow can bring out more redness in the skin," she says. So, using a creamy concealer to spot cover any splotches, acne scars, or broken capillaries around your face, and pay extra attention to your eyes, which can also have red tones. Apply the concealer all the way up to the bottom lash line and don't forget about dark shadows in the inner corners of eyes. While not usually red, their blueish hue of under-eye circles can be exacerbated by red eye shadow, so cover it well, says Almodovar. Then use your concealer or a tinted lid to neutralize those tiny red veins on your eyelids. Try Lancôme Aquatique Waterproof Eyecolour Base , which comes in six different skin-matching shades. To finish, apply a sheer or medium coverage foundation (depending on your skin's needs) all over.

Now You're Red-y

Here, makeup artists share top ways to slay your red eyeshadow-without looking like you're fresh off a runway.

1. Swap out bronze for terracotta red

Replace any warm earth tone (bronze, copper, gold) for warm red. Because the two tones are very similar, it's a really easy switch that doesn't take you too far out of your comfort zone, says Almodovar. If you're wearing a red eyeshadow all over your entire eyelid, blend a more neutral color (in this case brown will work well) in the crease to serve as an anchor and give the lid definition.

2. Trade your usual colored liner for red

Give your cobalt blue liner a break and swipe on a red with a deep, plum-y undertone instead. Try Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Corrupt . The dark undertone will help give the bright color some depth and add definition to the eye, says Almodovar. Another way to create the effect? Layer a red liner over black pencil. You'll see the red, but get the depth from the black, he explains. Line just the top lash line. Or, swipe it across the bottom, too, softly smudging it with a cotton swab.

3. Try a two-toned smoky eye

A modern take on the traditional black smoky eye: Apply red eyeshadow on the inside half of the eyelids, blending the bright color into a black shade on the outer half, says Almodovar. Try NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil, which doubles and an eyeshadow in Rusted Red , and L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow in Noir Cest Noir .

4. Add a flash of color to black liner

Swap a solid black winged liner for one that is red from the inner to middle of the eye and black from mid-to beyond outer corners. Try it with NYX Cosmetics Vivid Brights Eyeliner in Vivid Fire and Maybelline New York EyeStudio Precise Liquid Liner .

5. Double up your winged liner

Another way to have fun with classic black eyeliner: Create winged eyeliner with black liquid liner across your top lids, extending up and out past the outer corner. Then directly above the black line, draw a red winged line, says Almodovar. The two-toned effect looks bold and graphic.

6. Play with different tones and textures

Layering on a couple different shades of red with different finishes gives eyes more depth and definition than wearing one single red shade alone, says Bekteshi. To get the look, apply a red eyeshadow all over the lid as a base and blend the edges into the crease. Then apply a metallic red-metallic cranberry, rose gold, or a coppery red-to the center of the lid and blend it into the base color, Bekteshi says. Try Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow in Lust Red , a deep cranberry.

7. Give a smoky eye a red halo

Another play on the smoky eye: Do your usual black or gray shadow from lash line to crease. Then blend a sheer red eyeshadow into and just above the crease. "Use the red as a transition color in between a dark eyelid and the brow bone highlight," says Almodovar.

What NOT to Wear With Red Eyeshadow

Hopefully we've convinced you that this trend is versatile and wearable, but make no mistake, red eyeshadow is not a neutral shade, says Almodovar. It doesn't go with everything. Here, are a few things to keep in mind when trying the crimson eye.

Red on your lids Don't go for monochromatic color: and lips might seem like a safe bet, but our experts say you'll have people seeing a little too much, well, red. If you're going for it on your eyes, tone down the rest of your face. (See a how-to below.)

Skip the brights: This might seem like a no-brainer, but worth mentioning. Forget other bright shades on lips or cheeks like plum, orange, or even pink. "It's just too much color," says Almodovar.

Watch Your Tone: Bekteshi likes to pair red with cool tones on the skin to balance out the red. So, avoid anything warm on cheeks and lips.

"Ok, so what should I do with the rest of my face?"

Just as with red lips, your red eyeshadow should be the standout focal point on your face. You don't want to compete with it, or overpower it, by going too strong on any other feature. The overall goal: flawless skin and subdued cheeks and lips. Here's the breakdown.

This is the one feature you should amp up when wearing red eyeshadow. "Well-defined brows will frame your red lids beautifully," says Almodovar. If you have sparse brows, use a pencil to draw in any missing hairs. Try Maybelline New York EyeStudio Brow Precise Shaping Penci l. If you need a little more definition, fill brows in with a tinted powder and an angled brush, says Almodovar. Try The Body Shop Brow and Eyeliner Ki t.

** Which red look would you rock? Tell us in the comments below!