October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and Elizabeth Hurley is one of the most prominent celeb ambassadors out there. Her gran died of breast cancer, and she's been collaborating with Estée Lauder for many years to raise funds for awareness and education.

To recreate her elegant, almost understated red carpet look, you probably won't have to reach much further than items you already have in your make-up kit.

Hair

Ask your stylist for a neutral medium to dark brown base colour, with warm low- or highlights that are about three shades lighter, spread unevenly for a natural look – the streaks shouldn't be placed with military precision. To style, let hair dry naturally (if it's straight) or blow dry (if it's curly), and wrap large sections of the mid-lengths and ends only around a curling iron. Take uneven sections, and don't do them all at the same height so that it looks effortless, not overdone.

Complexion

Apply your usual foundation making sure to blend well along the jaw- and hairline. If you're focusing on a pink colour look like we are, give blusher a skip and sweep bronzer under your cheekbones in the direction of the temples, and extend to the sides of the forehead as if in one motion as if you're drawing a large C-shape. Add a couple more dabs where you feel appropriate, but be careful of overdoing it – it's easier to add more than to remove excess. Always use a large powder brush to avoid a stripey look. At the moment you can get the beautiful limited edition Rose Aurora Pure Finish Bronzer from Elizabeth Arden in either Soft Radiance or Deep Radiance, R260.

Eyes

You'll need a silvery grey (not charcoal), a pink as well as a beige/pearl pink eye shadow. Although it's a luxury buy, I find the YSL Pure Chromatics Eye Shadow Palette #5, R555, a winner for both smoky looks and looks exactly like this one. Use silver shadow in the crease, a dab of pink directly under and above it, and blend it all in with a beige or pearl shade. Line the upper as well as lower lashes with a black pencil or gel liner to make the look slightly edgier and balance the pinks you're using. Coat both upper and lower lashes generously with something like Sumptuous Extreme Mascara, R265.

Lips

Stick with the theme by keeping your lips a pretty shade of pink. There is even an Estée Lauder shade called Elizabeth Pink, a beautiful, soft, almost-sheer cream formula, R300. If you're going pale pink, try L'Oreal Rouge Caresse in Tempting Lilac, R129. If you're keen to try a bold pink, I'd suggest Essence Marble Mania in Mix ‘n Mauve, R30.

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