bright lipstick

So you know we're going a little loco on the Australiana theme this week — but what better time to celebrate all that is great about Aussie celebs and products made Down Under than the lead-up to Australia Day? We always look forward to events like the Logies and any Australian film premiere, because we get to see stars including Jodi Gordon, Lara Bingle and Rose Byrne flexing their makeup muscles. We asked the Sugar eds to pick their all-time favourite Australian beauty moment; plus the product they'll be purchasing to get thy look at home.

Today marks the date 12/12/12, and what better way to celebrate than with our top 12 party-ready lipstick picks? A bright lip is a bit of a commitment, so be sure to keep everything else relatively low-key in the makeup department. We love a matte, bright lip with very full lashes and nude eyeshadow, for example, because it's a look that's both office Christmas party and girls night out appropriate. If you want your loud lips to stay put through more than one champagne, be sure to exfoliate and moisturise with balm, and then go in with a similar-coloured lip liner all over the lip before applying lipstick. Ready for our top 12?

The party season is in full swing and let us just say, it's a feast of bright lips and perfect manis. We love a good lesson in beauty maths, and today's schooling is on party lip and nail combos. Sometimes the most unlikely colours can look pretty breathtaking together, and we've got five options we think you'll love.

As we head into the Spring racing calendar, it's time to start thinking about the different hair accessories, makeup and body products we might like to try this year. Your beauty look at the races is less about trends and more about a theme, and what better colour theme is there than jockey silks? From amethyst to emerald green and sapphire blue — it's all about rich, deep hues on the jewel-toned colour wheel. The Caulfield Cup took place on Saturday and there's many more racing meets to come, so there's no time like the present to pick a winner... We're placing all our money on ruby red — classic.

ASOS launched a special Australian seasonal collection last night with a professional runway show. We went backstage to find out the beauty looks for the parade — bright lips a go-go! — and it was the usual model madness and high octane fashion atmosphere. Such fun! Fab has the backstage fashion angle covered (she's so efficient), so click through to see Redken hair director Jon Pulitano hard at work, as well as some cutie models having lots of pre-show fun.

Not that we've ever needed an excuse to talk about our favourite Topshop beauty prods, but what better way to celebrate the opening of Australia's first free standing store than with a delicious rundown of what we've tried, tested and so desperately want? The price points are amazing but we're less concerned with those and more focused on consistency, staying powder and pigment. The Sugar eds each reveal their top two Topshop beauty picks — bright lips, flushed cheeks and dainty nails be ours?