I love a bright red lip. In fact, most days, I’ll be sporting one. For me, a red lip is an absolute classic and surprisingly goes with almost anything you wear. It adds a touch of glamour to the everyday and makes you look polished, even if you’ve swiped it on hastily in the car mirror. But it’s more than that. Somehow a bold red lip has the power to make you feel good too.

On days when I’m not feeling particularly put-together (whether I’m stressed, tired, or in a rush), donning a red lip makes me feel better about myself, and more confident to tackle the day ahead. And I’m not alone. Mecca Makeup educational lead Ashleigh Fenton says, “each year we see an increase in customers searching for the perfect red lip”.

When it comes to a favourite red lipstick, Fenton says Nars is definitely up there. “Available in an incredible 72 shades and three different finishes, satin, matte and sheer, Nars lipsticks are formulated with nourishing ingredients to make sure they stay put while keeping your lips hydrated and plump”.

Naturally, it takes a little while to get used to a red lip. One pro-tip I was taught years ago is to always use a lip liner. However, instead of only using it to line the outside of your lips, you can also use it to fill in your entire lip. This creates an excellent base to apply lipstick and ensure your lipstick won’t budge for hours.