Back to beauty school: Applying the perfect red lip

Taylor Swift has been known to rock a classic red lip. Photo / Getty Images

Make sure your lips are hydrated and free of dry skin. Then, with a sharpened lip liner (this doesn't need to be an exact match to your lipstick) mark your cupid's bow with an X and outline and fill in the rest of your lips. Load a lipstick brush and apply a light covering from the centre of your lips outwards, keeping the edges sharp. Blot and repeat. To create the illusion of fullness, blend a dab of orange-toned colour just to the very centre of the lips.

DO: Use the right shade for your skin tone. Cool skin tones suit blue-based reds, while orangey-red shades work best on warm skin. Test on your fingertips and hold up to your face.

DON'T: Apply heavy eye makeup as well. Let your lips do the talking.

1. Karen Murrell True Love $30
2. NARS Fire Down Below $49
3. MAC Ruby Woo $40

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Smashbox #Shapematters Palette, $170

A multi-tasking marvel, this palette contains three brow, contour and eye shadow palettes. It also comes with three nifty interactive cards, which you can place on your smartphone for an instant tutorial.

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Kérastase Bain Densité Homme $43

A nourishing, thickening daily shampoo for men, this little beauty is infused with arginine and biotin which helps densify the hair fibre. Luscious locks all round, we say!

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Murray Crane, Crane Brothers founder

"Aesop products monopolise my morning regime: shampoo and body wash followed by a wet shave using Moroccan Neroli Shave Serum and post-shave lotion finished off with Parsley Seed Antioxidant Hydrator and eye cream when needed. I never deviate from this."