Follow our guide for foolproof seduction in red. By Juana Parathyras

If you think you can’t wear red lippy, you’re wrong. The trick is in the application and knowing what works with your skin tone and hair colour.

FIRST CHOICE
There are no hard-and-fast rules, but some lipstick shades will suit you more than others. The colour you choose should brighten your face, not drain it of colour.

Fair skin with light hair
You can wear reds with a yellow or orange undertone. It will highlight the warm tones of your skin and hair. The brighter the shade, the better. Try coral-inspired hues.

Fair skin with dark hair
Opt for reds with a blue undertone, they’ll accentuate your mouth and work well with your dark hair colour. Berry tones in raspberry and cherry are great choices for your pout.

Medium skin with light hair
Anything from true red to pinkish-cranberry shades will work well with your golden undertones. Try warmer shades in orange-reds or brown-based reds.

Medium to dark skin with dark hair
Darker skin tones can easily carry bolder hues. Stick to deep, rich colours such as burgundy, brick or plum. Super-bright shades are too harsh.

TIP
A blue-toned red will make your teeth look whiter.

JUST APPLY
Don’t pay lip service – this tried-and-tested method guarantees the best results.

1. Buff your lips gently with an old toothbrush to get rid of any flaky skin. This will make your lips smooth and naturally plumper.
2. Blend a small amount of concealer over your lips. This erases any natural colour, giving you the true colour of the lipstick.
3. Use a lipliner in the same colour as your lipstick. Do not go beyond the natural line of your lips. A nude liner close to your own lip colour, or a touch lighter, will also work.
4. Apply the colour to the centre of your lips directly from the tube, then blend towards the edges with a lip brush. For sheer coverage, apply only with a lip brush.
5. Blot lips with a tissue.
6. Reapply a second layer to make the colour last. Give your lips extra ‘pop’ by applying a dot of transparent gloss in the middle of your lower lip.
7. Prevent your lipstick from migrating to your teeth by first closing your lips around the index finger, then pulling it out of your mouth. This will remove excess colour closest to your teeth.

TIP
No lipliner? Dip an earbud in some loose powder and run it along the edge of your lips to prevent bleed.

STEAMY SCENTS

1. DKNY Red Delicious Men EDT, R545 (50 ml)
2. Boss Intense Woman EDP, R630 (50 ml)
3. Puma Urban Motion Woman EDT, R270 (40 ml)
4. Boss Orange EDT, R630 (50 ml)
5. Hugo Boss Deep Red EDP R630, (50 ml)
6. DKNY Red Delicious EDP, R575 (50 ml)
7. Elizabeth Arden Red Door EDT, R325 (100 ml)
8. Clarins Invigorating Fragrance, R440 (100 ml)
9. Christina Aguilera By Night EDP, R390 (50 ml)
10. Lacoste Red EDT, R595 (50 ml)

STAY POLISHED
Take note of the dos and don’ts of scarlet nails…

• Keep your nails short and rounded. Red and other darker colours can look tacky on long nails.
• Pair red lips with black nails for a trendy look.
• If you want red lips and red nails, match the shade on both. Try Clarins Jolie Rouge lipstick (R210) and Clarins Glossy nail colour in Clarins Red (R145).
• Always wear a base coat to make polish removal easier and prevent nails from staining.
• Don’t match red nails with clothing or shoes – it’s overkill.

DAYTIME RED
For a subtle and wearable day-look, dab lipstick in the middle of your lower lip only. Spread the colour using your fingers and smack lips together. You’ll still get the red effect, but you’ll only have the lightest trace. Keep your skin dewy and skip the liner – rather layer on the mascara.

1. Clarins Lipliner pencil in Paprika, R170
2. Revlon Color Burst in True Red, R105
3. Revlon Super Lustrous in Fire & Ice, R99.95
4. Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Plump Perfect in Perfect Scarlet, R140
5. Clarins Rouge Appeal in Cherry Red, R210
6. Maybelline Color Sensational in Very Cherry, R99.95