Red wine lips can be a really sexy look to try on your own pout. However, red wine mouth is a much less desirable look. And although a simple solution could be switching to white (ick) or lightening up the glass count (NOPE), we pooled together a few more ideas so you can continue enjoying your pinot noir in the quantities you want. (Lots.)

I like to call red wine mouth recess mouth. Because not only do you look like an elementary school-aged kid who sucked down loads of juice, you probably act a little bit like one when experiencing it. It isn’t a look most hope to rock.

Prepare your mouth before pretending you live in a vineyard. Brushing your teeth and tongue removes film, residual food and other gross stuff to which the wine’s pigment might cling. Gently exfoliate your lips to nix any dead skin that might do the same and moisturize immediately after.

Wear a thick, semi-sticky lip gloss. Yeah, this is likely to attribute to a little iridescent smooch on the edge of your glass, but the thickness and tackiness will repel your merlot’s color settling in. I personally favor my tube of Alba lip gloss for such occasions.

Keep Brush Ups in your bag. That way, throughout the night, you can scrub off any clingy cab sauv on your chomps during your frequent pee trips. It kind of looks like Oral B discontinued making these, but I found something like it available on ebay. IN BULK! We love it. These can also be good if you missed your pre-swigging teethbrushing… and if you end up sleeping in a place other than your apartment. (There is actually something out there called Wine Wipes that are supposed to do what the name says, but they’re kinda pricy and a little embarrassing to carry. Like, “Hi. I am a lush.” With the non-descript Brush Up things, you could just pretend to be really into oral hygiene.)

Find a dark lip stain you like. This way, you choose the color your mug absorbs. I don’t personally go for this option often mostly because I look a little clowny in lip color, but Jessica swears by Sephora’s Tarte‘s staying power, so I’d say try that first.

What are some ways you avoid red wine mouth? Are you one of those lucky finks who don’t get it? (If yes, god I envy you.)

Image Source