How to wear a red lip

Before I show you how to do it, knowing the answers to these quick questions below can really help with your application technique and give your powerhouse red lip great staying power.

1. Do you have fine lines around your lip?

If you do, use a silicone primer before applying your make-up.

2. What's the texture of skin on your lips (dry or hydrated)?

If lips are a little flaky, give them a light scrub with a baby toothbrush and a gentle exfoliant and moisturise several hours beforehand.

3. Do you have a hairy top lip?

If you want a sharp red lip look, you can gently razor the hair around the upper and lower lip (with a dedicated facial hair dermaplane). I don’t do it all the time, just when I’m doing a close-up bright lip for camera or at an event!

How To Master

… a sharp bold lip

Ensure the lips are prepped well (see question 2), then, using a pencil, shape the outside of the lip. As you age, the outer points of your lip sit lower and a little heavier (thanks, gravity), so, to avoid exaggerating this, avoid following the natural lip line into the outer corners of the lips and cut the line in a little tighter. This creates the illusion of a more uplifted lip.

Fill in the entire lip with lip pencil and then apply your lipstick either straight from the tube or using a lip brush. If you’ve made a mistake, use a little bit of foundation or concealer around the outside edge and create beautiful sharp, clean lines.

… a softer red lip

If you want the bright colour but a softer shape, it’s easy! Simply apply the lipstick gently without creating a strong lip line. You can even pat your fingertip on the lipstick and then onto the lips.

My picks for a fabulous red lip: