Red lipstick is beauty for sexy. Two words: Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the trickiest beauty moves to make. Until you read the following, that is …

The You Hue: The traditional rule of thumb is that cool shades of red (think roses and true reds) suit paler skins and features, while warmer reds (orange- and brown-infused hues) complement darker complexions. But makeup artists seem to increasingly be recommending orange-reds as the most modern universal choice - they not only set off warm skintones, but also add vibrancy to fairer-featured women. Two great buys: Revlon Living Lipstick in Revlon Red ($19.95, from department stores, pharmacies and variety stores) and Nars Lipstick in Heatwave ($49 from Mecca Cosmetica).

Prep School: Keep lips well exfoliated - you can simply coat lips in Vaseline and massage with a baby’s toothbrush a couple of times a week. Or you can splurge on a lip scrub, such as Yves Saint Laurent Exfoliating Balm ($45, from department stores). To prime your lips for red lipstick, slick on a layer of Chapstick-type balm - the waxiness will give you a smooth good-grip surface.

Line Up: Makeup artists disagree on whether a neutral or red lipliner is the better option. On balance, best advice seems to be: If you can afford a separate red liner and can find one in a pretty-near-perfect match to your lipstick, go for it. Carefully trace around your lips’ outline, then colour in completely.

Seeing Red: Again, makeup artists disagree on whether you’re better off applying lipstick straight from the tube (for intensity) or with a brush (for evenness). Whatever you prefer is probably the right answer for you. Whichever option you go with, apply two layers, tissue-blotting in-between.

Best of the Rest: For the freshest, most modern effect, keep your skin looking clean and natural with a tinted moisturiser and a light dusting of powder along the t-zone, swirl on some neutral blush, and add a flick of black mascara. Anything more looks costume at best (caricature-ish at worst) and is best left for the diva likes of Gwen Stefani and Dita Von Teese.

NB: If you have a tendency for redness in your skin, be aware that red lipstick will only make matters look worse. Unless you want to live under layers of foundation and concealer, your best red-lip bet is to go super-sheer. Either try a stain effect (swipe lips with a single layer of lipstick, straight from the tube, then tissue-blot it down), or opt for a rosy lip gloss.

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