Scarlet Women

Mention the words 'red' and 'lip', and a few images instantaneously spill into your subconscious. The glamorous Vargas girls of the 1940s, old Hollywood icons such as Marilyn Monroe, but most of all the idea of decadence, passion, and glamour. This is why I believe no new years eve would be complete without one.... you might as well start the new year as you mean to continue.

The beautiful Miss Monroe

Having seen around a 35% sales increase at Selfridge's this year, red lipstick is the simplest way to update and complement and outfit - whether it be to dress up a white t-shirt and jeans, or finish off that sequined number for new years. The celebs love it too, I believe the Minogue sported red lipstick frequently thorughout this years X factor.

I honestly believe Dannii looked far better than le Cole every single week
Maybe it was the lipstick what swung it?

The trickiest thing, is trying to find 'your perfect red', go too blue toned and you may look sun starved, go too yellow and your teeth can appear coffee stained (lovely). It really is a lipstick lottery, as you scour the beauty counters, never quite knowing whether that next swatch is going to transport you back to the golden
Hollywood era, or Albert Square as eastend matriarch Pat Butcher.

So tonight, to bring in the new year, I will be a sporting the red lip, in the hope of bringing just a touch of the decadence and charm of our favourite Old Hollywood icons into 2011. As everyon knows, it's the red lipped woman that always has and always will turn heads.

And which lipstick will I be choosing? I thought I would make a change and go with a lipgloss..... Chanel's Party Red, a deep strawberry colour that stains the lips perfectly. It may be pricey but I just could not face the chimes of Big Ben without it.

Is it bad that I think this colour almost looks edible?

Happy New Year everyone. Have a good night!!!!