If I'd told you three hours ago that a classic red lip would constitute the look of a beauty maverick at the Oscars, you'd have laughed me out of town.

But when a parade of the most pared-down, desaturated nude make-up looks imaginable started to flood onto the red carpet, the above statement was starting to sound less and less ridiculous. Someone, throw us a bone would you?

And then, just as all was starting to look universally flesh-toned, a beacon of colour, of Brit pluck and English rose prettiness appeared and we breathed a huge sigh of relief. Emma Watson's red lip has single handedly saved the 86th Annual Academy Awards from total beauty obscurity, and we can't thank her enough.

Yes, the dishevelled hair and brushed up brows all add to her allure - almost channeling a softer Kristen Stewart - but it's the expertly painted carmine lip that's brought us back from the brink of a sea of beige. But it was close there for a minute.

With thanks to Sky who made our Oscars 2014 coverage possible