I was talking to someone yesterday who said they have one shade of lipstick they always wear. I fully admire this decisive and minimal approach. It’s the equivalent of living in a clutter-free home – those of us who don’t can only aspire to that calmness and order. With lipsticks, however, there are just too many variations to entice us, from juicy glosses to face-brightening mattes. Out of a mountain of samples – some good, some bad, some completely overpriced – we’ve picked out six worth talking about. Whether you prefer a natural neutral or a Cruella-esque bright, these are the ones worth knowing about right now.

1 Clarins Lip Comfort Oils are a favourite in our house – even the notoriously choosy teen girls are drawn like magpies to their shiny lusiousness. The newest versions are the Lip Comfort Oil Shimmer (€21), which have a pleasingly 1980s feel – one (of eight shades) is even called Pretty in Pink. And Purple Rain reminds me of wearing metallic-purple Miss Selfridge Iron Lady back in the day. Though these are much more comfortable to wear (lots of oils in there including macadamia and hazlenut); those 1980s ones really vacuumed up the moisture from your lips. Clarins’ Water Lip Stains (€21.50) are fun too – they’re juicy, very liquidy colours that literally stain your lips; once dried, they will last beneath your mask. They contain organic raspberry water plus aloe vera. I like the bright pomegranate shade best, but the coral, Candy Water, is cute for summer. At counters nationwide and clarins.ie.

2 Glossier Ultralip. Glossier’s previous lip colours were a bit of a weak link in their lineup, but this new incarnation delivers – these Ultralips are creamy and balmy yet light, and really nice to wear and actually moisturising (that’ll be the hyaluronic acid blend). Also vegan, and cruelty-free. In nine shades – I have the nude Trench shade, a great neutral, plus bright red Fête, which has punch and staying power. €17, www.glossier.com.

3 Charlotte Tilbury’s newest Look of Love lipsticks are refillable, and more expensive at €35 each (refills €23). Instead, I keep returning to standout matte Walk of No Shame (€32 at Brown Thomas and Arnotts). It’s a rosebud/berry tone that is very flattering on a wide range of skintones; just as Pillow Talk remains a teen favourite for that natural-but-better lip colour, I feel that Walk is the one for grown-ups. Just be aware you’re paying pretty well the same price as for a Chanel lipstick. In general, I am finding Tilbury products are feeling much pricier now than they used to; the just-launched Invisible UV Flawless SPF50 Primer, for example, has a lovely texture, but at nearly €50 for 30ml you would never wear enough to get the full protection, which defeats the point.

4 I’m enjoying using the Stiletto slim refillable lip shades from Zara’s new beauty line (available online only), especially as they’re €10.95, and €6.95 for a refill. Great design, great texture – as creamy yet pigmented as any lipstick-wearer would want – and great value. If you have more to spend, consider the other lipsticks too or the eyeshadow duo palettes (all refillable) but, as I’ve advised previously, forget about the brushes – they might look good on the screen, but they’re too floppy to be effective.

5 Ayu make-up is now available at a pop-up counter in Dundrum (Level 1) throughout June so it’s a chance to get shade-matched with the foundations, get make-up advice and to check out the lipsticks and glosses, in clear to bright red, which are €12 each. It’s an Irish brand (though the products are made in China), and the Sara red stands up against more expensive versions in terms of colour payoff. www.ayu.ie

6 We’re being bombarded with images of Emma Stone as Cruella in the latest Disney film. And it’s hard to ignore the impact of her lipstick (the bright red she wore is MAC Lady Danger). Apparently her make-up look was inspired by punk singer Siouxsie Sioux, famed for her graphic eyeliner and pale skin. MAC have created a fun make-up range (only available online) inspired by the film: go for bright matte orange-red De Vil in the Details (€20) in its black and white bullet. Or just dig out your Lady Danger – every red-wearer has one. I like the mini ones, available at Boots Ireland for €12; www.boots.ie.