The siren call of red lipstick takes on a fresh modern appeal when worn as a stain rather than a matte swipe.
Buff or blot colour into lips, instead of precisely outlining and infilling. This makes it last, but without harsh edges.
Makeup artist Val Garland showed the way at Mary Katrantzou's spring-summer 2014 show, using M.A.C Ruby Woo lipstick (pictured). Try the trick with any dark lipstick for a berry nice way to entice. Softer edges are somehow less scary, which is especially so with the deep wine shades we will be seeing more of come winter.
Just make sure the rest of your makeup is immaculate so it doesn't look like you missed your mark. Garland focussed on skin preparation and illumination, leaving lashes uncoloured, but with lids lightly glossed and a subtle gleam added to the high planes of the face for an ethereal edge.
Reds worn this way are on trend right now. Pressing pigment into lips with your fingers ensures a more smudge-proof finish - just the ticket if you have a big date lined up.
