A nip in the air and evident on several subway passengers this morning let us know that Fall is just around the corner. And we couldn’t be more excited for it! And with the arrival of Autumn, of course, comes a whole slew of new things magazines and designers and stores and companies want you to run out and buy. Like dark lipstick! Which is awesome, because there’s nothing we love more than nibbling on someone’s ear while looking straight-up like a rotting corpse.

Kidding! Dark lipsticks don’t have to necessarily leave you looking like an albino with a scat fetish. Check out, for instance, the new line of chocolate and cherry-inspired colors in MAC’s “Cult of Cherry” line of makeup. The colors are dark, yes, but rich and vibrant. Like a wealthy Latino! And berry-based colors can can work on any skin tone, depending on how deep or bright, matte or sheer you choose to go. Check out “Cult of Cherry’s” crazy promo video and try not to immediately dive face-first into a cherry tart:

It’s as if Tim Burton and Nigella Lawson had a baby! A few tips for wearing dark lipstick:

• Sometimes it’s useful to start with foundation to create a smoother canvas.
• Layering can add dimension to a dark color without washing out the rest of your face. Start with a deep, violet-based red color under black or dark brown lipsticks to avoid looking cartoonish.
• Lipliner can be helpful, but make sure to apply lipstick slightly over the line, not just shy of it. Build up your color, carefully, starting with the center of your lip outward. Unless you’re a chola. In which case: Do whatever the fuck you want, Sad Girl.
• Gloss can help seal in the color and keep it from flaking.
• A lot of people suggest taking it easy on eye makeup if you’re aiming for a very strong, bold mouth. But, frankly? We’ve never been a huge fan of moderation. If you’re going to go for a sexy vampyre-lady look, then go ahead ‘n bust out a smoky eye and a malicious, throaty laugh.

Delicious [Lipgloss and Laptops]