If you thought Britain's Got Talent made for great television, get down to the nationwide tour because it makes for even better live entertainment. Julian Smith duets with Sean Smith. The kids from Diversity join Aidan as backing dancers for a Shaheen solo. Stavros Flatley dress as Star Wars stormtroopers for a dance-off against Darth Jackson. And, of course, Diversity and Flawless reprise their breathtakingly imaginative dance routines, which are even more jaw-dropping seen up close.

And despite the almost continuous standing ovations, a cavalcade of stamping feet and endless roars of approval from a sell-out audience, there was not one ounce of diva-ish behaviour when we met the stars of the show the afterwards. Every single one of the acts was impeccably well-mannered and friendly as they posed for photos and signed autographs backstage amongst each other's family and friends, none more so than the members of Diversity who are a genuinely modest, lovely group. If these are the best of British, we've got reason to be proud.

The only act not to make it backstage was Susan Boyle, despite having sung beautifully and looking remarkably pretty onstage, thanks to the skill of make-up artist Sally O'Neill, working with Bourjois which provides all the backstage make-up for the shows. Sally, who's also worked on the Strictly... and Dancing On Ice tours, told us the backstage crew avoided powder formulations to give Susan a dewy complexion that instantly softens the whole face - and it really worked because she looked the best we've ever seen her. Susan wore liquid eyeshadow (Bourjois Shimmering Shine in Rose Electron pink with Blanc Chrome white as a highlighter, which took on a pretty lilac hue under the spotlights) and Effet 3D Max Lipgloss in matching Rose Eclat.

The only powder was a little down the T-zone to mop up oiliness while allowing the stage lights to reflect off the natural texture of her cheekbones and brown blusher used to contour under the cheekbones.

Sally's team also added clip-in hairpieces at the top and bottom of Susan's hairstyle to give her a softer, slightly longer look with more movement. 'Everything has to be a bit bigger, especially with arena shows, just so the acts can be seen by the audience,' Sally points out. Susan's natural hair was lightly curled with large tongs and fingered through to blend with the hairpieces. And she looked a real star. Let's hope she stays that way.

 

So it's all true. Women love red lipstick because it makes them feel more confident, not to say sexy. And, according to a survey from VIE cosmetics (which used to be Virgin Vie) more than half of women reckon wearing lipstick cheers them up. OK, so it's not exactly groundbreaking news to those of us who can't face the day without a slather of slap. But you only have to look at the pictures of Angelina Jolie at Cannes cosying up to Brad as they determined to quash rumours about their apparently shaky relationship to realise that the statement-making power of red lipstick is as enduring as ever. And so is the problem of trying to find one that actually suits.

 

If you ask the majority of make-up artists for help, they go into techno-speak about orange, yellow and even blue tones of red. Talk to celeb make-up artist Chase Aston, however - who's been out in New York shooting with Claudia Schiffer, another red-lipped lovely - and his advice is simple: The Body Shop's Garnet shade is the perfect red for everyone, apparently. And it certainly works for me. A dark, almost browny shade of red, it's ideal for those of us who like the impact and sexiness of red, but who find the traditional, bright, pillarbox red too brash. And it works beautifully with blue eyes, in particular, making them look super-bright.

 

Chase says the best way to apply red lipstick for natural-looking, even coverage that's not too in-your-face is to use a lipbrush and concentrate on the lower lip first, working from the outer corners in and meeting in the middle. Then "pucker down" so the colour transfers to the top lip and finish by filling in round the edges with what's left on the brush. Finally, stand next to Brad Pitt and see if he notices the difference...