Timeless and classic, lips of Ruby Red were one of the features that made Snow White ‘the fairest of them all’.

Instantly conjuring up images of old Hollywood glamour, a pop of red on the lips makes women feel powerful, and at the same time turns your average man weak at the knees. 

Not all reds were created equal, however. There are a myriad of different shades available from every beauty brand on the planet, but for the red-lip newbie, here are five fail-safe purchases:

MAC Ruby Woo – A beauty bestseller across the globe, MAC’s Ruby Woo is a coral red that packs a punch. You’ll be in good company too; glamourpuss Dita Von Teese cites it as her red of choice.

NARS Heat Wave – Most ladies who are afraid of red lipstick cite the garish factor. Heat Wave has a matte finish that’s more sophisticated than saucy.

Chanel Rouge Allure Lover – Even if everything else in your make-up bag cost less than a fiver, every gal should own at least one item from the house of Chanel. Rouge Allure in ‘Lover’ is a good place to start. A creamy satin formula and a shade that works for day or night.

Benefit Pocket Pal – A bit of a cheat, the Pocketpal from Benefit is actually a double-sided wand. One end is a mini Benetint, the brand’s best-selling lip and cheek stain, and the other a clear gloss. Kiss-proof and smudge-proof they say – so why not put it to the test?!

Revlon Matte Lipstick Really Red – To test a red lip without testing your budget, Revlon is the way to go. The brand is synonymous with ruby lips ever since Cindy Crawford adorned their adverts back in the day with a big pout and bigger hair. Bright, affordable and with a lovely matte finish.

 

Tips to rock your rouge:

Red lips take a little more work than pale/nude colours. To avoid any flaking, exfoliate lips with an old toothbrush and some Vaseline.

Make sure to use a liner in a complimentary shade, this will help to prevent the colour from bleeding. 

When you have finished applying, make a pout around your index finger and draw the finger slowly out through your lips – this will help get rid of any excess and prevent you ending up with lipstick on your teeth – a total beauty no-no.

To get an extra ‘pop’ factor, add a dab of clear gloss just to the middle of your bottom lip. This trick makes lips look fuller and gives your pout some extra ‘pow’.