Looking for a luxe, modern take on your failsafe red lip? Ruby red tones with a rich velvety finish give this classic go-to a fresh twist. Perfect for cocktail parties, date nights or just dressing up jeans and a white tshirt, here’s how to get the look.

Step 1: Prep lips with a rich balm.
Always make sure your lips are smooth and flake-free before applying lipstick, especially matte formulas. Pep-Start Pout Restoring Night Mask is a great quick fix. Apply generously, leave on for 2 minutes, then blot with a tissue. Its conditioning blend of petrolatum, murumuru butter, shea butter and ceramides makes lips feel instantly soft and smooth.

Step 2: Create a base layer with lip liner.
For a high drama lip like this, line and fill in your lips with a pencil that matches your lipstick. This will intensify the colour of the final look, enhance the dimension of your natural lip shape and add extra staying power. We used Quickliner for Lips Intense in Intense Passion.

Step 3: Dab, blend, dab with lip powder.
Dab Pop Lip Shadow Cushion Matte Lip Powder in Crimson Pop, a creamy pigment that transforms into a weightless, powdery finish, in the centre of your lips, then blend outward. The pointed sponge tip applicator makes it easy to precisely fill in your lips, even into the very outer corners, for a flawless, vibrant final look.

Step 4: Keep the rest of your makeup minimal, but chic. 
To keep the focus on your lips, go for a simple eye makeup look with sleek black liner. Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen has a foolproof applicator: lay the pointed tip flat against your lashline to draw a smooth, precise line, then add two coats of Lash Power Mascara in Black, a smudge-proof formula that keeps going for as long as you do.

Photos: Nick Stokes | Still Life Photo: Jon Paterson | Words: Rachel Hayes | Hair: Holly Mills | Makeup: Maki H | Wardrobe Stylist: Seppe Tirabassi | Manicurist: Gina Edwards