Regardless of whether or not you've got mad make-up skills, lipstick is a quick and easy way to bring movement to the face. The right shade can brighten eyes, balance features and make it look like you've really made an effort, even if all you've actually done is prod a mascara wand into your eyes a few times and thrown your hair up in a scrunchie.
These lippies, all tried and tested, have been picked to do the heavy lifting for you this summer; they're likely to work on a wide variety of skin tones, as brights tend to look unnatural anyway, and all of 'em are easily available right here, right now, in Shanghai. So, fans of inclusive beauty and vibrant summer style, break out the lipbrush and get bold.
Vegas Volt, MAC
This sunny coral shade has been an enduring classic for two main reasons: it's incredibly flattering, on a wide range of skin undertones, and its colour is intense without being jarring or difficult to wear. Its creamy formula provides opaque coverage and light hydration without smearing in summer heat or taking a jaunt into fine lines around the mouth, and like all MAC lip products it smells of vanilla – a definite bonus.
Get it MAC (170RMB).
Wear with Gingham dresses, ironic straw hats, clean retro eyeliner flicks and matching coral blush.
Pastel Pink, Make Up For Ever
This light, warm-toned pink brings an intense Twiggy vibe without the accompanying chalkiness of many pastels that looks jarring against a tan. It's volumising, long-wear, and the satin finish of this chameleon makes it the perfect foil to wilder experimentation on lids and cheeks.
Get it Sephora and Make Up For Ever (200RMB).
Wear with Delightfully Mod eyeliner, a monochrome outfit, the most pretentious cocktail you can find.
Fireball Pop, Clinique
Red lipstick lovers, trade in your heavy mattes for a slick of bright, clean colour with this neutral-undertoned, semi-sheer number. Due to the built-in primer, this medium-coverage powerhouse lasts and lasts.
Get it Sephora and Clinique (180RMB).
Wear with Sheer blouses in inappropriately dark shades, faded denim, a heavy dose of irony, bronzer.
Cream Lip Stain, Sephora
Similarly budgeproof is this cherry blossom liquid lip stain, which isn't quite as desiccating as similar products from other brands and lends a velveteen, semi-matte finish that masks imperfections. Prep your lips thoroughly before slicking it on – try smothering them in Vaseline and scrubbing in gentle circles with an old toothbrush – before bringing the drama with a thin coat of this lurid pink. Is it a little Barbie's Dreamhouse? Maybe, but you'll be thanking us later when you look like a total dreamboat.
Get it Sephora (99RMB).
Wear with High-sheen highlighter, a power brow, clumpy sandals for contrast.
Apocalips, Illamasqua
This theatrical British make-up brand is cruelty-free and adored for its willingness to experiment both with texture and out-there shades. This teal, with its mix of blue and green tones and hyper-matte, dauntless effect, is surprisingly wearable once you're over the alien-space-babe factor.
Get it Asos (212RMB).
Wear with Sea-monster style flowing dresses, a razor-sharp contour, oodles of charisma, some type of gaudy trinket in your hair.
Little Denim Dress, NYX
This it it: the motherlode, the pinnacle of summer make-up and simultaneously the maddest and the most exciting beauty product. It's intense, it's directional and it's a bright, bright blue.
Get it Asos (62RMB).
Wear with Whatever you like – if you're dazzling the uninitiated with blue lipstick, you don't need any help in looking amazing.
More from Time Out Shanghai
14 Instagrams every tourist will post after visiting Shanghai
Plunge down the rabbit hole at new cocktail bar Wonderland