Yes, you can wear red lipstick! Use lip liner, find the right shade and invest in a primer to copy Cressida Bonas' crimson pout

• Cressida's red lipstick changed her whole look at London Fashion Week
• Perfect your own scarlet pout with lip liner and primer for a smooth base
• Apply gloss to the centre of your mouth to add fullness and shine

By Claire Coleman for the Daily Mail

Published: 18:51 EST, 23 September 2015 | Updated: 23:55 EST, 23 September 2015

When Prince Harry's on-again-off-again girlfriend Cressida Bonas, appeared at the Topshop fashion show last weekend, it was not her black lace dress that caught the eye as much as the striking shade of scarlet lipstick that transformed her look.

In the place of the barely-there natural shades she normally sports, was a slick of deep red adult sophistication.

When you think of red lipstick, you envisage sirens such as Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe. 'It is the ultimate symbol of glamour and power for a woman,' agrees Poppy King, founder of beauty brand Lipstick Queen.

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Prince Harry's on-again-off-again girlfriend Cressida Bonas, appeared at the Topshop fashion show last weekend, in striking shade of scarlet lipstick that transformed her look with a slick of deep adult sophistication

Like most women, I used to think it was impossible to wear red lippy without making your teeth look yellow, your lips look thin and leaving smears of it on everything from your gnashes to your teacup.

But, as a convert, I believe that every woman can pull it off with aplomb. Here's how . . .

THE RIGHT SHADE

According to celebrity make-up artist Justine Jenkins, who works with the likes of Fearne Cotton and Charlotte Rampling, finding the right shade is all about trial and error.

'There are all sorts of “rules” about blondes looking better in blue-based or orange-based reds and darker skin being better with pink-based reds. But it really is about going to a counter, asking for advice, and trying them out,' she says.

Poppy suggests trying lipsticks on the pad on the inside of your index finger. 'The skin tone here is closer to the colour of your lips, than the skin on the back of your hand' she says.

And, adds Justine, never part with your hard-earned cash until you've tried a product at home, and under different lights.

'Don't be scared to ask for samples,' she says. 'Even if they just apply it for you so you can see how it wears and how it looks in daylight.'

If you opt for an orange-based lipstick then, yes, they can tend to make discoloured teeth look yellower, as the yellow pigments in the lip colour will emphasise those in your teeth. However, Justine says that most reds have just about enough blue in them - which makes teeth look whiter - to counter this problem.

If you're really worried, apply a lip gloss with a hint of blue over the top which, as with blue tones in lipstick, will make teeth appear whiter. Try Benefit California Kissin' (£13.50, debenhams.com).

THIN LIPS

It's a commonly held belief that red lipstick can make thin lips look even thinner.

But Justine disagrees, and says: 'A bright colour defines them, and can actually give them more prominence.'

She suggests applying a slick of red gloss to the very middle part of your pout after you've applied lipstick. 'This creates a 3D effect and an illusion of fullness,' she says.

NEED LIP LINER?

Lipstick has a tendency to feather and bleed into the lines around the mouth. A lip liner can help prevent this

You can wear red lipstick at any age - although remember that most women get paler as they get older, so you may not be able to keep wearing the same shade you wore in your 20s.

As you get older, lipstick also has a tendency to feather and bleed into the lines around the mouth. A lip liner can help prevent this and provides a good base for your lipstick.

But forget the rules about lining the edges first, or using a colour slightly darker than your lips.

'One of my favourite tricks for long-lasting colour is to take a lip pencil that perfectly matches your lips' natural colour,' says make-up guru Bobbi Brown.

'Line and completely fill in your lips to create a base that helps lock colour in place, then layer lipstick on top.'

You can also try this trick using a lip pencil the same colour as your lipstick, so if your lipstick wears off, you still have colour.

MATTE OR GLOSS?

Matte lipsticks have been a trend over the past few years and new formulations mean they don't dry lips like earlier incarnations did. And they're a safer choice in many ways.

'The glossier a lipstick is, the more likely it is to bleed, as it tends to contain more oils so it spreads more easily,' explains Poppy. However, if you're not ready for a full-on pillar-box pout, there are other textures that will help ease you into it, such as tinted lip balms and lip glosses.

'Applying a lipstick with a brush will give a more sheer finish, so if you're not confident, you can build up from there,' suggests Poppy.

Justine is a big fan of the chunky lip crayons from brands such as Nars and Barry M: 'They can be used to build up colour, and tend not to move once on.'

HOW TO APPLY IT? 

PREP: The better the condition of your lips, the better the result, so ensure a smooth base by exfoliating first. I swear by Fresh Sugar Lip Polish (£18, fresh.com), or make your own version by mixing sugar with a bit of Vaseline or your favourite lip balm. Work into the lips with your finger then buff off with a dry cloth.

PRIME: Even if you don't normally bother with a lip primer, it's definitely worth it when wearing red lipstick. Fabulous Lip Prime (£16, lookfabulousforever.com) softens and moisturises lips while anchoring the lipstick, stopping any feathering or bleeding.

LINE: Lip liner is optional, but for staying power, I tend to apply pencil in the same colour all over the lips, without worrying too much about the outline before applying lipstick, and then touch up the outer edges afterwards.

APPLY: Use the bullet of the lipstick to cover all of your lip area, then smudge your lips together.

BLOT: Separate a tissue, take a single ply and press it over your lips. Dust your lips, through the tissue, with translucent powder, then apply another coat of lipstick. Repeat until you have the depth of colour you want.

FINISH: Put your index finger in your mouth then slowly pull it out between your closed lips. Any excess lipstick will end up on your finger, not your teeth.

Finally, just because you've upped the vamp rating on your lips, doesn't mean you have to go all out with the eye make-up. As Cressida did, you should go for simple, natural-looking eyes.

'You never want your features to compete with each other for attention,' says Bobbi Brown. 'A statement lip works best with neutral eye make-up.'

Poppy adds: 'Do your lips first, then eyes. That way you'll naturally apply less eye make-up than you usually would.'  

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