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...