“A red lip on so-called bad skin days? I’m in” – Holly Bullock, fashion and beauty writer

I’m a big fan of red lipstick. In summer, I often do a bare face (aside from an unwise amount of bronzer), lots of mascara and a bright red lip. My reds usually skew coral, so this slightly darker (which appeared more orange on me) was a bit of a departure, but I ended up loving it. It’s not as long-lasting as those ultra-matte liquid lipsticks you can eat a burger in without any wear and tear, but I found this sheer, creamy shade a lot more comfortable. I also had an eczema flare-up near my chin on the day I tried it and, while I’d usually avoid anything that draws attention to the lower half of my face when it hits, I was very glad I chose red – the brightness worked wonders.

Does Merit’s new red lipstick really suit everyone? 10 Stylist staffers put it to the test