Red rules

BEAUTY:THE MOOD-LIFTING properties of a new lipstick should not be underestimated.

A fix of colour has got many a woman through a bad day, and the shade du jour is red. Well what’s new about that? Just like that little black dress or the stiletto heel, red lipstick is a classic that never goes out of fashion, but red is having a major moment this season, but there are rules.

Find your shade.One of the main reasons women shy away from red is that it's difficult to find the right shade. Firstly, your skin shade will determine which red suits you. Paler skin with a pink undertone usually suits the cool, blue reds, whereas golden or olive skins will suit a red with warm, orangey tones.

That’s the general rule, but my advice is to visit your favourite counter with a friend and seek advice. Try on a few, and pop out to the door to check how it looks in daylight.

There is no margin for getting it wrong.Red lips do require a little more time for a great result, so be prepared to put in the extra effort. The modern way to wear it is to keep the makeup on the rest of you face very understated – keep eyes minimal except for mascara and you can skip blush altogether if you wish. The time saved can be spent on your lips.

Make sure your lips are in good condition.You can exfoliate them either with a soft dry toothbrush or an exfoliator (Clarins have a specific product for the lips), and keep them moisturised with a balm so they are soft and smooth.

Don't pair red lips with red nails.It will date you. Instead, contrast lips with nails in either a neutral shade or go for one of the new deep shades, such as Dior Black Plum, YSL Extreme Purple or Max Factor Ruby Fruit.

Draw the line.You will get a better finish if you line your lips with a pencil liner and fill them in. Your choice of liner shade will determine the finished impact of the red. Choose a softer shade of your lipstick if you want a less full-on finish. I like Clinique's Bamboo liner pencil, which I also use to outline after lipstick is applied.

Application Tips

If you’ve already filled in your lips with pencil, you have a base to work on. A lip brush is essential, so no shortcuts here. Load the brush with colour and fill in lips, not forgetting to open the mouth wider to apply to corners. Then place a folded tissue between lips and press the colour into the tissue (this also presses colour into lips). You now have a “stained” effect, which is the low-key way to wear colour. For full-on lips, apply a final coat of colour and you are ready for your close-up.

Do check out different brands to find your red. Here are some suggestions.

MACRuby Woo is a bestseller, followed by Russian Red.

NARSGreat reds, both in the lipsticks and lip-stain gloss range. Jungle Red is its classic bright red, but it also has some great blue and warm reds, such as Shanghai Express, a warm brick red, and Scarlett Empress, a blue red.

Estée LauderStay Scarlet is a terrific choice if you want long-wearing red. It's part of Estée Lauder's double-wear range and has great colour hold on the lips.

Chanelhas great classic reds, such as Passion or Lover.

ShiseidoDragon Red is a beautifully rich and wearable shade.

LancômeAaron's Red has a lovely rich hue if you want to go with a gloss instead of a full lipstick.

Armani's lip wax is a little pot of staining colour and has two red shades.

Revlon's classic shade Cherries in the Snow has been reintroduced to the range. A great retro red.

DIARY DATE

WE ALL KNOW that a good facial can give skin a real boost. In Hungary, facials are seen as a vital part of skincare and good grooming and that country’s therapists are recognised among the world’s best, due to their intensive training.

Adrienne Harsanyi (left), from Oromoviza, will be available for appointments in the coming week, and will give customised facials using the luxury brand. Normally based at the company’s spa in Budapest, she will work her magic at Harvey Nichols in Dundrum, Co Dublin, from next Monday until October 18th. Treatments cost €90, redeemable against products. To book: 01-2910423.