When our best-friend-in-our-head Taylor Swift releases word of a new album, there's only one thing as important as the music: the makeup. We know she goes all in and so no detail is spared when creating the aesthetic for an entirely new era. One aspect that doesn't usually budge often though is her trademark swipe of red lipstick. It was (obviously) there for Red, it was there for Rep, and it was there for The Eras Tour as a whole.

So whilst the literal countdown website painted in orange glitter (and the podcast teaser that stopped Swifties dead in their tracks across the globe) were definitely pretty crystal clear clues, for us, it was the emergence of a brand new lip colour that solidified that we were all about to follow Swift into her orange era.

Teaming up with boyfriend Travis Kelce (and his brother Jason via their New Heights podcast), Swift announced the beyond exciting (though still mysterious) future arrival of her 12th album, 'The Life Of A Showgirl'. But in addition to 'when is it actually being released?!', we know you have another pressing question: 'what lipstick is she wearing?'.

We're breaking down everything we know to crack the case...

Taylor Swift's Orange Lipstick Shade

We know Swift to be a fan of the Pat McGrath Labs LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in 'Elson 4' ($63.36 at Cult Beauty) - she wore it repeatedly through The Eras Tour and nothing says 'staying power' like a 3+ hour show. BUT whilst that was the first product we tracked down, no orange shade exists. Yet. Perhaps it's a collab to come with the release of the album? We hope so.

But for now, onto the next possibility. We also know Swift to appreciate the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in 'Dragon Girl' ($52 at MECCA), but again, no orange colour to be found. Nothing but red-orange hues in Chanel's Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour ($75 at David Jones) or M.A.C's Retro Matte Lipstick ($40 at M.A.C) offerings, either, despite those being two more of her previous red formula faves.

So what on earth is it?! There's a chance she's gone for a shade hailing from the masters of orange (Hermès), with the Hermès Rouge Hermès Matte Lipstick in 'Orange Boite'. Or perhaps a more affordable option with the L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick in 'Orange Magique' ($12 at Chemist Warehouse). The shade looks a little more like something in between the two (maybe even a custom colour designed for Swift?), but the Aussie beauty market is clearly yet to catch up.

Once we know, you'll know, but those are our top theories for now. We'll be awaiting a release date and a full lipstick reveal avidly...

Main image credit: @taylorswift/@newheightsshow