Red, red, fine… Christmas lips

Although red lipstick is never out of vogue, apparently it’s one of the hottest options this winter. This time the opulent look calls for velvety, modern matte lip textures, matte complexion and pared back eyes, finished off with glossy waves or a slick back bun.

Just as clothing is getting more layered heading into the colder months, the beauty trends are witnessing the return of full coverage, yet soft glam makeup. It’s time to ditch the sheer lip oils or glosses and pick up a beautiful, modern matte red lippy (thank you, Santa!)

With lips making the statement, take some time to make sure they aren’t dry, chapped. Smother on some lip balm, such as the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, £19, an intense balm formula that softens and nurtures lips — or a lip scrub such as the one by Fresh Sugar Lip Polish, £16.50 which boasts real brown sugars that get to work on rough, dry lips to gently buff the skin. It also removed flakes to help leave the lips smoother, brown sugar is also a natural humectant to help the lips retain moisture. to slough off dead skin.

To make the most of your smackers, then try The Inkey List Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm, £10.99. Clinically proven to plump lips by up to 40% in 4 weeks, Tripeptide Plumping Lip Balm hydrates, repairs and plumps lips leaving them looking naturally fuller and healthier. Regardless of the claims, hydrated lips are the way to go when opting for bolder lip colours.

If you’re dipping your toes into wearing red, then try a more sheer, buildable formula to build confidence. Try Glossier’s Generation G lipstick in Zip, £18 a lovely neutral-leaning warm shade that works on everyone. Inspired by the makeup artist trick of blotting lipstick after application, one swipe glides on smooth and even (no mirror needed!) for a buildable, soft-edged, just-kissed look.

Another ‘cool girl’ brand, Violette FR also has a similar product with the Bisou Balm, £27 which comes in seven shades. Made in honour of bouche mordue, meaning “just bitten lips” in French, this product in Amour Fou — a soft crimson — will not fail in adding festive glamour to any look, but in a very modern, slightly undone way.

For a flattering matte formula, then try Lip Blur, £27 by Charlotte Tilbury in shades Flame (a gorgeous orange-toned red) or for a classic neutral red, there’s Ruby, and for berry-toned lovers, Walk of No Shame. Weekend can attest that this liquid formula is, indeed, blurring and is very flattering on lip lines. Just remember: this is pigmented, almost too pigmented. So be prepared to wipe off lots of excess product (this can leave the component a bit messy so maybe think before you bring it out in your new handbag, FYI).

To create depth with red lippy, opt for a deeper, brown lip liner with a red shade of your choice, creating an almost ombre feel. This look works on all skintones — from light to deep, but looks particularly amazing on the latter. Choose Espresso or Urban Cafe by NYX Slim Lip Liner, £6 or Limitless Brown by Make Up For Ever, £18. Bonus: this technique makes lips look fuller — making standing under the mistletoe an even more enticing prospect. Then dab in the middle of the lip with something like Fenty Beauty’s MVP Icon Velvet liquid lipstick. With velvet in the name, think almost a flocked velvet finish and has a creamy, thicker and mousey texture. MVP is a true red, that leans more blue-based that really ‘pops’.

And if you’re more Grinchmas than Miracle on 34th Street, you can still make the trend work with a vampy, merlot red rather than a more typical festive red. It’s a sultrier way to wear the shade that works especially well for evening and is, well, still sexy.

A budget option, NYX Matte Lipstick in shade (funnily enough) Merlot, £8 means you don’t have to damage your bank balance to try the look out.

If a crisp lip line is what you’re after (it does ensure a sophisticated red lip look), then finish off by taking a small, slanted makeup brush and apply a teeny, tiny bit concealer along the edge of your lip liner to keep the lipstick looking neat.

And to ensure longevity, apply a layer of lipstick, place a tissue sheet gently on top of the lips and lightly dust some translucent face powder. Then apply a second layer.