Red lips? You’re having a laugh. Well, no, I’m not actually. Forget the tricky-to-apply, lip-shrinking, get-it-on-your-teeth efforts of yesteryear – these days red lipstick is a whole new ball game and suits, well, pretty much everyone. It’s all about how you wear it.

“There is a red lipstick for every woman,” makeup guru Bobbi Brown explains. “Find a red lipstick in a shade that looks good on your face when you are wearing absolutely no makeup. This is the magic colour that will make your skin, hair and eyes look their best.” That’s sounds a bit scary, but it works. Here are my top five.

First up is Bobbi’s very own Limited Edition Lip Color in Old Hollywood (£22), which has the kind of chunky gold case that makes you feel glamorous before you’ve even put it on. But when you do – erm, WOW. It has a cool, blue-ish tone, goes on as smooth as butter and gives wonderful, face-brightening, teeth-whitening oomph to your face. Classic.

Lord & Berry’s Vogue Matte Lipstick in Red (£12) is much more of a tomatoey orange/scarlet shade, but because it’s not shiny it doesn’t look over the top at all. I love the way this makes you look ‘done’ with just a bit of mascara – and good gracious, it does not budge.

For a pared-down look, my go-to is Natural Lipstick in Just Red (£6.95) from organic brand Benecos. It contains organic jojoba and sunflower oil and feels super-creamy when you put it on. This blue-toned, rich red is my ‘school run red’ – patted on with a cotton bud it’s a super-quick prettifier at 8.30am.

If you’re too scared to go full-on red, a berry red tone like Autograph from M&S’s Mulberry is a good autumn alternative. Their Colour Intense Matte Lipstick (£8.50) comes in an addictively clicky little case, and the colour is just superb. Vamp it up with a lipstick brush, pull on a fur hat and you’ll look all Anna Karenina.

Finally, a thing of beauty from Lancôme – L’Absolu Velour Velvet Matte Lip Colour in ‘Velours d’Etincelle 172’ (£20). Is it a gloss? Is it a lipstick? I’m not really that bothered, because when it goes on, it’s like me and red lips were meant to be. It doesn’t shift – all day. But it’s not dry. Is it magic? No, it’s just posh. And worth every penny.

Find your perfect shade with the Chanel Le Rouge Photo Booth.