If you’re anything like us, there’s a good chance that your routinely swiped arsenal of lipsticks has been sitting idle in your beauty bag for the past—ahem—two years. Perpetual mask wearing, postponed outings and literally zero reason to get dolled up meant that your beloved tubes often took a back seat to bolstered skincare routines. But now, with restrictions lifting, invites arriving and the spring season on the brink of full bloom, there’s no better time to revive your lipstick collection. What’s more, classic red lips and pretty nude shades were dominant trends on the spring/summer 2022 runways, which means you have even more reason to shake up your routine.

Ready for your refresh? Here’s how to build a lipstick wardrobe from scratch. First, find your perfect neutral shade: a super-muted pink, light nude or Armani beauty’s Lip Power 104, a warm mocha tint that’s universally flattering. Think of it as the one you grab when you need a quick and easy application—when a groomed brow and a hit of subdued colour on your lips is all you really need to look put together. Next, scope out a medium shade that makes a subtle statement, like the rosy brown hue that is Armani beauty Lip Maestro 214. This is the one that pairs well with pretty much everything: family gatherings, dinner dates, even all-day Zoom meetings. Lastly, round out your arsenal with something striking. We’re talking bold and undeniably beautiful, a shade that will let everyone know you’ve arrived: deep fuchsia, orange-tinged coral and candy-apple red (hello, Lip Maestro 400!) are all spot-on picks.

When it comes to stocking your collection with always stunning, never fail formulations, we’re longtime fans of Armani beauty, a storied brand that takes a highly considered, less-is-more approach to makeup. With each product going through the backstage ringer at Giorgio Armani’s runway shows each season, the result is certain sophistication. The revered Lip Maestro, a velvety-matte liquid lipstick that comes in 29 shades and has a luminous finish, delivers unbelievable colour payoff, while the super-pigmented Lip Power offers long wear with all-day oil-infused comfort. Swiping on either option (or both!) means your beauty bag is officially updated.