It's pout time for return to classic red lips

AMID seasonal trends in the fast-paced world of beauty, there is always room for the classics. This spring, think '40s flawless red lips, which really turn heads.

Although the elements can make us all look pale, the right shade of red will both warm your face and flatter your outfit. Whether you go for vibrant scarlet, or softer berry shades, with so much choice on every beauty counter, there will be a red to suit you.

Wear it with a bare face during the day, or vamped up with smoky eyes for the evening, and it could be your hardest-working purchase of the year.

With such a statement colour, the application is everything, so it is worth investing in a lipliner to stop the colour bleeding. A few reds will flatter all women, but choose carefully. Pick a shade that's neither too orange nor too purplish.

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in pure scarlet Cruella (17, Space.NK) is a good option, or try Revlon Colorstay Lipliner in Red-Shade 20 (6.29, Boots). The Yves Saint Laurent Lipliner Pencil (15, larger Boots and department stores) has a few good shade options, including True Red.

For an elegant shot of red, and a hint of luxury, Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Crme Lip Colours come in a choice of thirty shades, so take time to pick your perfect partner from (21.50 each). Ruby and Millie also have a red range, which includes bright Red 450S, the deeper Red 490C, or the powerful Red 420M (12 each, Boots).

For classic reds, head to MAC, whose famous lipstick shades include Lady Danger, Russian Red and Ruby Woo (12.50 each, Harvey Nichols), or try Rimmel Lasting Finish Vintage Lipstick in Signature Red (4.49). You could opt to go bold with New CID Cosmetics i-pout in Scarlet (15, www.newcidcosmetics.com), which comes with built-in lights and mirror to perfect your look anywhere. Another statement option is Dainty Doll Lipstick in Saucy Sailor, a fiery, pillarbox red from Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts' range (12, ASOS.com).

For the red lip virgins, there are more discreet options for your first foray. Benefit's Benetint Lip Balm is the company's famous cheek stain made solid and will give lips the gentlest of red tints (13.50, at Jenners, Boots, Debenhams and Frasers). Or go for a subtle shade of Bourjois Rouge High Tech Lipstick (7.29), or something stylish from the legendary Lancme Juicy Tubes range, like Strawberry Funk (14 each).

If your skin is fair, go for berry reds, which will look softly pretty. Try Lancme L'absolu Rouge in Rouge Rayonnant (18.50) or Bourjois Sweet Kisses Lipstick in Rouge Sur Mesure (7.99).

If your skin is medium, choose orangey-reds, which will brighten your skin, including Maybelline Superstay Lip Colour in Forever Heat (8.19) or Max Factor Colour Collections Lipstick in Bewitching (7.99).

If your skin is dark, pick brick and bright reds, which you can carry off and which will look sophisticated. Worth trying is Boots No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in Cherry (10), Barry M Lip Paint in Pillarbox Red (4.25, Superdrug), and Maybelline Colour Sensational Lipstick in Fatal Red (6.99).

So whether you see yourself as a Little Red Riding Hood, or more of a vampy scarlet harlot, every lady with aspirations of glamour should definitely be seeing red.