TRIED & TESTED

IS IT POSSIBLE TO FIND A PERFECT RED LIPSTICK?

THE ideal red lip is the holy grail of make-up.

We put three new releases to the test, to see whether it really is possible to nail the perfect red lip look...

Stila Shine Fever Lip Vinyl in Hot Pursuit £17, stila.co.uk HHHHH

STILA’S latest offering has a slick consistency, which looks like a smooth, coloured gloss.

But it’s the strong colour when applied that makes this product different – it’s so highly pigmented, it’s almost opaque. Hot Pursuit is a deep, dark cherry red (and even smells of cherries) with a slight blue tint – great for making teeth appear whiter. Once dried, it looks more like a matte lipstick with a high, glossy shine, and gives the effect of a plump, pillowy pout.

If you’re looking for lacquered lips in a deep, lush, jammy red, this is a must-try for a touch of Forties Hollywood glamour.

Diego dalla Palma Moulin Rouge Matt Lipstick in 266 £20.42, DIEGODALLAPALMA.COM HHHHH

THIS lipstick glides on like silk and is a seriously beautiful colour, like a scarlet red mixed with a hint of cherry pink. The texture is great too, and although it’s matte, it’s not so dry that it shows up every little line on your lips, which can be ageing.

Sadly, this lippy has no staying power. After eating not long after applying it, the colour soon disappeared.

KVD XO Vinyl Lip Cream in Tulip £14.40 (WAS £18), DEBENHAMS HHHHH

A PRODUCT that’s suitable for vegans, it’s a bold pigment that goes on like a slick, creamy gloss, but dries quickly with a vinyl-like shine to it.

KVD recommends using the tip of the applicator to line your lips, then lying the applicator on its side to fill in.

As for staying power, it smudged a little when eating, but the colour remained intense for hours.

We loved how glossy it was and how it seemed to plump up lips.