Lipstick is big news this year. According to Laura Mercier, it is the year of the lipstick and it’s not just Laura who thinks so, Chanel and Tom Ford are putting their time and money into big lipstick launches for spring.

“Lipgloss is easy and comfortable, but it’s not strong,” says Laura. “Strong lips in red, coral and pinks are back.”

But most British women will agree that wearing a bold lip is scary – it screams ‘Look-at-me!’ and we’re not all sure that we’re up to the scrutiny.

According to Laura, we need to change how we view red lipstick, it shouldn’t just be “worn at night, when you want to seduce”, she says. In France red lipstick is just another part of their culture. “French women will wear a red lip with just a little concealer to cover their blemishes and mascara.”

To make it more wearable Laura recommends patting lipstick onto your lips for a more lived in, printed look. “Glossy red lips look great in a photo, but in real life you’re in danger of it moving and looking funny. You need to be able to forget about it, which is why a matte, red pout works.” And now is “the right time to try it”, she insists, because the new trend for a bold lip makes experimentation less scary.

Here are Laura’s simple tips for getting the look right: “Start with your skin, covering blemishes – don’t feel you need a full face of foundation and powder. Then move onto the lip, get that right, then finally balance your face with just a little mascara," she advises. I bet most of you order you make-up application – foundation, blusher, eyes and lips, I always do. Which is why when it comes to applying the lipstick it always looks a little too much.

I’m off to apply a slick of Laura’s lipstick, a bold red, ironically called seduction. Give the trend a try this weekend and let me know how you get on. Will you become a lipstick convert or are you a gloss girl through and through?