During the winter months you can feel a little lacklustre and dull, as the party season and absence of sunshine takes its toll on your skin. Without a warming summer flush complexions may seem to lose their lustre, and we can all feel a little dull on cold dark days. Before you reach for the Botox needle or book a winter cruise, how about an injection of sparkle from a different direction?

New specs can lift your look and your mood as effectively as a new haircut or a whole wardrobe of new clothes. Glasses are one of the first things people will notice about you, and a different shape or colour can affect your skin tone, the look of your jewellery or clothing, and even lift and enhance your face shape.

Let’s look at colour to start with. Harsh brights or cool pastels that can be flattering with a tan during the summer months are draining in winter, as are cool colours like sharp silver or cold blue. Warmer alternatives are gold, tortoiseshell brown, mauves and pinks. Avoid red if the cold makes your cheeks glow!  Just pick the right shade to suit your colouring. Even men will benefit by switching to brown rather than black, olives or gunmetals rather than silver.

Rimless frames can look very harsh on winter skin, as the reflective edges and cool metal frame parts are minimalist and lack warmth. Try a semi-rimless or softly coloured metal instead. The chunkier contours of plastic frames may be too much for you, so stick to a compromise that gives you a softer look that isn’t too bold.

If you like metal frames try an injection of colour, in a soft shine finish. Very shiny or totally matt metals can be draining, so a subtle shimmer will reflect some light back to you.  Skin looks best in cold weather if well moisturised and glowing, and a slight shine to your frames will enhance this.

Frame shapes are best if a little softer, and if you always wear a hat in winter try your new specs on with this too! All of these factors affect your face shape, and you also need to make sure frames are comfortable with your headgear.  A frame with a slight uplift at the lower rim will give you some lift too, and banish any signs of post-party tiredness.