Give your look some lip service
When beauty writers talk about colourful lips, they generally mean the berry and wine variety right now. Any shade will do, from russet to deep claret. A strong lip colour looks just as dramatic against pale skin as it does on dark and it can get you through to the end of the month without wanting to set fire to your wardrobe. It’s a surprisingly effective way to freshen up all those dark winter outfits.
The drawback is that some intense shades can be drying, particularly this time of year when chapped lips are a default setting. If separate lipsticks and lip conditioners seem a faff, know this: the all-in-one tinted lip balm now comes in a rebooted supercharged version that won’t slide off skin the moment it’s applied. Some, like Sisley’s Phyto Lip Twist Tinted Lip Balm (£31, net-a-porter. com) provide a powerful colour kick that’s every bit as tenacious as a conventional lipstick. Others offer subtle sheens. Whichever you go for, make sure lips are smooth before application. You can banish flakiness with specially designed products such as Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Magic balm, or simply run your electric toothbrush gently over them, then moisturise with something thick, gloopy and effective such as Elizabeth Arden’s everbrilliant Eight Hour cream (£28, elizabetharden.co.uk)