Cane conducted a survey of 50,000 men on the subject of lips and kissing and found that a surprising 25 percent gave bold, dark colors the thumbs down. Why? Dudes don't want to wear your lipstick. "They were intimidated," says Cane. "It makes a mess."

Instead, how about one of our favorite classic nudes: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick, $34 in nude beige. Add a sheer gloss over that and, well, have at it.