1. Bare Escentuals Mineral Foundation (£24) & Mineral Veil (£21)
Call me predictable, but Bare Escentuals gets my vote in the mineral foundation stakes. I've tried loads of other brands and though some come very close, this is the one that I return to every time. I like the level of coverage and the light-reflecting finish you get, and I think the mineral veil is a fantastic product for finishing the look. Most importantly, they do a fair shade that's not too orangey, which is perfect for my winter skin. I must also give a 'highly commended' to Laura Gellar's Balance n Brighten face powder, which I keep in my handbag for touch-ups. It only loses out because it contains talc which can be comedogenic.
2. Nars The Multiple Orgasm £27
Fabulous name, fabulous product. Nars took their bestselling, actually as good as everyone says it is peachy pink blusher and made it into a multiple, a creamy twist-up stick that you can apply anywhere. Obviously the ideal place for this is the apples of the cheeks, but it also works on eyes, lips and decolletage as well. As a devotee of the powder blushI was really excited to give this formula a go and it won be over straight away. It's especially great in winter when skin is a bit drier, but as it's lightweight, it's also good in Summer for a dewy, beachy look. Any Orgasm fan will tell you the power of this blush is that it seems to give you a glow that comes from nowhere. You'll barely look like you're wearing makeup, but somehow you'll just look better.
Make up by Barbara Daly concealers £3.50 each at Tesco
I've actually been using these for years and years, and have yet to find a better concealer for the price. Everyone in the industry raves about Laura Mercier's 'mix it yourself' Secret Camouflage, with two shades of concealer and a brush. Well I use two shades of this concealer at £3.50 a pop, mixed together with a lipbrush, and get exactly the same effect. I'm amazed at the thick, spreadable consistency, the lasting power and the general quality of these supermarket concealers. I've tried much more pricey alternatives and always returned to these when I've had big blemishes. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, eh? Sorry there's no pic, but if you want to give them a go they come in little square tubs with clear tops, about the size of half a matchbox.
