Lots of things scare the crap out of me, like curling wands without clamps, crying babies and flying over the Pacific Ocean on my own. Red lipstick was once on the 'scary list' and occasionally lumped in the 'too hard basket'. Red lipstick is tricky, but when it's executed beautifully all bets are off.

It's December, so let's throw caution to the wind just this once. Dust off that tube of red lipstick and scrub those lips smooth for your best pout yet.

Without further ado, here are a few of my favourite red lipsticks working from wicked cheap to super luxe.

Rimmel's Kiss of Life ($12.95 AUS / $4.97 USD) - a rich, matte formula that'll last 'til the end of time.

MAC's Ruby Woo ($16.00 USD / $36.00 USD) - the lip pencil version of this classic red is my personal fave. Be sure to pick up the Keepsake Red Lip Bag before it sells out!

Illamasqua's Maneater ($25.00 AUS / $24.00 USD) - A red you have to work hard for, but it's totally worth it.

Burberry's Fuschia Pink ($30.00 USD / $50.00 AUS) - the motley crew of reds. Pink sentimentality with a cherry red twist.

Which shade of red lipstick do you like to reach for?

Don't get me wrong while I do love a luxe lippie, sometimes (actually, always) the price tag stings. A few months ago Rimmel London came to the matte lipstick party with 10 shades for the taking.

IMHO Burberry has been bringing their A-game with their matte formula, but I also think Rimmel's Lasting Finish Matte is an extremely close second. It's..

Affordable
Long-lasting with high impact colour
And if you love Mac's Ruby Woo, Bobbi Brown's Old Hollywood or Burberry's Lip Velvet in Military Red, then Kiss of Life is for you too.

What more could you ask for?