The blah weather and mid-year blues need a bright, over-sized antidote – and the best remedy has to be adding some va-va-voom to your make-up look.

Rock a dark lip….but not too dark!

Deep chocolate and rich wine colours look sexy and sophisticated in winter. Ok, maybe these darkly deliciously shades aren't that work appropriate but for an evening out, this certainly is a look-at-me choice. Brighten it up: MAC South Africa senior artist Michelle-Lee Collins recommends adding a pop of very bright pink lipstick to the middle of your dark chocolatety pout. Simply press the pink colour onto the middle, centre area of your lips (keep them closed while applying) using your finger as your application tool.

Think chucky mascara

Collins favourite lash look right now is "chunky" lashes. That's chunky, not clumpy girls! To bulk up your lashes you may want to add a few individual lashes to your lash line (full on falsies aren't necessary) and then choose a really jet-black coloured mascara with a thickening formulation such as MAC's Haute & Naughty Mascara, R195.

Wear a metallic nail

There's no need to ditch your black or deep grey nail colour this season, just work with a different texture. A shimmer or metallic finish pumps up the surface area of your nail for a more flashy effect. We love Essie's Over The Top, R100.