This season, the colour to love is every shade of orange, from Fruit-Tingle pastel to persimmon and tangerine. Just think of orange as the new red. For barely there colour, work concealer all over your lips and then apply your favourite orange lipstick or lip gloss (see below right). This will create a very subtle hue, or go for broke with an intensely pigmented lipstick.

ROAD-TEST

This week, I try ... a new work hairstyle.

THE LOWDOWN When LA-based hairstylist David Keogh was in town (Elle Macpherson, Megan Gale and Miranda Kerr have him on speed dial) we asked him to create a new "going to work" 'do for me. He suggested a half-up, half-down style for my mid-length hair that wouldn't tax my limited styling skills. Perfect. The essential tools included John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème to "smooth and tame all those pesky flyways", said David. "It's my tool-kit secret weapon." Also to hand is dry shampoo. "This gives life back to hair, as well as some texture." David used hot irons on small sections of hair, creating "bend" and an artfully messy look. He kept my fringe straight. Next, a bit of backcombing at the roots for height. Then, he pulled the top section of hair into a ponytail at ear level, leaving the rest out. Brigitte Bardot, eat your heart out. So what is David's favourite recent red-carpet hair? Cate Blanchett at the Oscars – "very old Hollywood with a modern twist".

DOWNTIME From wet hair to finished, about 45 minutes.

RESULTS I looked "office-carpet" ready. If only David could be here every day – but even I can master this fresh new look.

AT HOME Create body with John Frieda Luxurious Volume Root Booster Blow-Dry Lotion, $16, Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème, $17, Anytime Volume Refresher dry shampoo, $16, 1800 468 318. Get the bend in your hair with a GHD Pastel Collection straightener, $249, ghdhair.com.

CULT PRODUCT

Dior Crème Abricot Nail Cream

This cuticle salve, launched just over 50 years ago, is beloved by beauty editors the world over. It ticks all the boxes: gorgeous, cult pillbox packaging; deeply nourishing moisturiser; the perfect shade of apricot – and, what's more, it works! For instant relief, keep it desk-side and dab and massage it into your cuticles whenever they're looking flaky and feeling dry. Dior Crème Abricot Nail Cream, $47, (02) 9695 4800.

WE ASK AN EXPERT

Eva Longoria, actor and L'Oréal Paris beauty ambassador

What is the best beauty lesson your mother taught you?

"Always, when you apply your moisturiser, go up! Push up, up, up, even on your neck. It's all about conditioning your skin every day." Try Age Perfect Pro Calcium Day Cream, $35, lorealparis.com.au.