Lipstick Traces

"Red lipstick is the stiletto heel of make-up," Terry Barber, director of make-up artistry at MAC.

I love a strong lip but often lack the confidence to carry the look. I'm old enough now that I should be wearing what I want when I want to, be it in the form of clothing or make-up. With this in mind, I've decided to wear a lot of red lipstick this Winter.

Originally, I posted this video, featuring Times Lifestyle Editor Jennifer Howze having her lipstick applied by senior MAC make-up artist Lynsey Alexander, who's there to explain what red suits whom, and how to best apply it, at the end of Alana's profile but, having just rewatched it, I think it bears repeating. Valuable lessons for us all.




The video can be found in its original form at: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article3634058.ece

MAC make-up is available online from http://www.maccosmetics.com/, a site which can direct you not only to their products and make-up artists, who can be hired for events, but also to their Looks page http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/templates/looks/looks_landing.tmpl, the most fun you can have with cosmetics that aren't in front of you, and to their AIDS Fund, which is paid for by the sale of their VIVA GLAM products (http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/mac_aid/macaids_landing.tmpl).

Apart from the lippy lesson, two things strike me while watching it. The first is that The Times' Beauty pages rule. And the second, which I feel more strongly about, is that, if you're ever feeling low, or unsure about which make-up to apply, it is always worth a trip to the MAC counter.

I think I was about fifteen when I had my first encounter with the brand at their newly opened shop in Birmingham. One of their head make-up artists, a guy with immaculate natural look make-up and the best eyebrows I have ever seen, was in for the day, showing the public how to get their looks right, a key difference between the MAC philosophy and that of some of other well-known brands. He didn't make me feel bad 'cos I'd chosen the wrong shade of blusher and wore enough eye-shadow to make a goth blanche, he just made me look (and feel) so much better, which is all you can ask for from a make-up artist. And, of course, MAC are some of the best quality cosmetics you can buy, which always helps.

My nearest MAC stockist these days is Debenhams in Milton Keynes. The girls there rock; there are never enough of them yet they go out of their way to be friendly and helpful. My favourite make-up artist there, whose name I'm ashamed to say I've forgotten, was a contestant on last year's X-Factor. She got as far as boot camp. She found me the only eye-liner I've ever had that doesn't dribble down my face after half an hour. She then chose a purple gel-liner for me and taught me how to apply it. In short, she rules.

If you are in need of cheering up, or just some new cosmetics to play with, I seriously recommend a trip to your nearest stockist, which can be found at http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/templates/door/finder.tmpl.

LA VIE EN ROUGE

Red lipstick: Some Recommended Brands

ELIZABETH ARDEN Suffragettes and women in the Second World War wore lipstick, referring to it as "the red badge of courage." Elizabeth Arden and her contemporary Helena Rubinstein are largely responsible for this, and EA is still an excellent high end brand, if a wee bit less glamorous than it used to be.

MAC Obviously. Has, at various points, been endorsed by both RuPaul and Dita von Teese. Do not argue.

DIOR Recommended by Alana, who knows a thing or two about pulling a look together. See her profile from earlier this month.

VINCENT LONGO The brand can be hard to get hold of in the UK but is definitely worth searching for. A high water content makes their 'sticks very conditioning (I mean moisturising. Gross.). Both Americana and 5 come highly recommended.

CHANEL Rouge Noir has been a favourite of mine ever since Uma Thurman wore it, and the matching nail varnish, in Pulp Fiction. It's the ultimate vampy shade; good for when you wanna be bad.

NARS One day I will tell you all about how much I love Francois Nars, founder of Nars cosmetics. For now, let me just say, his make-up and choice of girls for advertising campaigns is near perfect.

DOLCE & GABBANA Currently being endorsed by Scarlett Johansson, whose lips, contrary to popular belief were made for lipstick, not pornography.

URBAN DECAY A newer brand than many on this list but such a goodie. Their lipsticks smell amazing (sample scents: brownies and cherries) and come with a teeny little dagger on the end of the tube. Rock'n'roll.