We've seen it on Amanda Seyfried, Rihanna and new Bond girl Berenice Marlohe, so it seems purple lipstick is set to be one of the biggest beauty trends of this winter.

Whether it's a gothic almost-black shade straight out of the Dolce & Gabbana autumn/winter 2012 catwalk show or a softer wine-coloured hue you choose, do something different this evening and leave the classic red or nude you normally wear at home.

Georgina Graham, a makeup artist at Management Artists, told the Herts and Essex Observer that this is the best time of the year for experimentation.

"Purple is the right choice for both this winter and next spring," she commented.

And, even if you're not keen on the idea of mulberry lips, you can still put the trend to good use elsewhere in your makeup regime.

"We have seen a 'dark romantic' trend on the runways, editorials and red carpets. A good idea is to invest in a purple eye shadow or pencil, as purple is a colour that suits all skin tones and eye colours and actually enhances the eye colour," said Ms Graham.

You can use Sleek MakeUP's Eye Dust in Livid Lilac to get a dramatic smoky eye look, sketching on Eau La La Liner in White Noise underneath the shadow to create an even more impactful finish.

As for your pout, you can choose different shades of purple to experiment with to find out which one best suits your skin tone. Very dark skinned women look incredible with luscious virtually black pops of colour, so try Sleek MakeUP's True Colour Lipstick in Mulberry.

If you have olive or darker skin, like Rihanna, take a leaf out of the singer's book and opt for an oxblood colour.  Fill in your pout with Eau La La Liner in Raison then add a slick of Pout Paint in Port over the top.