Red Hot: How to wear red lipstick

Rouge Collection lipsticks, starting from Dh30, by Bourjois. Courtesy of Bourjois.

Here on the fashion desk we love a red lip. Nothing works like a slick of crimson to elevate a simple outfit to chic, or a great outfit to outstanding.

Such a bold look, however, requires work, so we asked make up artist Sharon Drugan, a regular contributor to Luxury magazine, for her tips on achieving, and maintaining, the perfect statement lip.

Preparation is key

First step is to ensure your lips are in tip top condition, as no amount of colour will disguise flaky skin. "Use a baby toothbrush or a lip scrub to buff off any unsightly skin," advises Drugan. "Brands such as Lush do great lip scrubs". Once you've made your decision, briskly rub the whole mouth to slough off dead cells, and to stimulate blood flow. This will help create a good base.

Line your lips

With such strong pigment, it is crucial to create a good shape, so the next step is to carefully outline the mouth using a sharp lip liner pencil. Be sure to follow the natural contours, as going outside of this line can result in a clownish look. You can also use liner to avoid feathering. To do this, Drugan suggests to use “a lip liner that is close match to the shade of your lipstick”. This will provide an edge that will hold your lipstick in one place and avoid smudging.

Find the right shade

Be sure to use a red that suits your skin tone. "Those with pale to medium skin should opt for a cool red lipstick. Try Ruby Woo by MAC, while orange undertones are good for Olive to dark skins. Look for YSL Rouge pur couture satin radiance in Le Orange," she suggests.

When in doubt, experiment

Finally, while the sheer range of lip colours available may seem overwhelming, we suggest the best option is to start experimenting. An understated matt red lip, for example, works well with jeans for a day look, while an evening out is given extra pizzazz by a dangerously glossy vermilion.