Lipstick Index.

During the Second World War, women who worked munitions factories or were engaged in other war work were provided with lipstick to keep spirits high. It was referred to as the ''red badge of courage''. In contrast, in Nazi Germany, women were banned from wearing lipstick so that their ''superior'' Aryan features were accentuated.

The most expensive lipstick ever made was Guerlain's KissKiss Gold and Diamonds, which was packaged in a (fortunately refillable) 18-carat gold case embedded with 199 diamonds and cost $62,000 (£38,300). It could only be purchased via a private appointment.

When US television show Lipstick Jungle was cancelled earlier this year, avid fans protested by sending in tubes of lipstick to NBC's president.

The average woman consumes up to 9lb of lipstick in her lifetime. Mmm, tasty.