I have a love-hate relationship with eye makeup. I love what a boost it gives me – and I hate any faffing involved. Small children and a lack of patience mean that if there’s any chance of making a mistake and having to start again, I’m not going to bother.
So hoorah for the new generation of single powder shadows which come in soft, crease-free formulations that are easy to sweep on as an instant prettifier. And now that autumn is here, there are some gorgeous seasonal colours that will make your eyes pop. Not literally, that would be weird.
I’ve just discovered Benecos, a natural makeup brand that doesn’t use nasties like synthetic colours, fragrances or preservatives. It’s funny how we are more aware of these ingredients in skincare but not as bothered when it’s makeup. Anyway, their baked eyeshadows (£6.95) are silky smooth and glide on a treat. I love ‘Mokka’, a goldy brown.
Another new find is Zao, who use sustainable bamboo for all their packaging and formulations. The little magnetic wooden pots that the single eye colours come in are just gorgeous – and I am totally sold on Pearly Garnet (£13.95), a shimmering (but not sparkly) plum which makes my green eyes extra green.
Clinique, unsurprisingly, have risen to the single shade occasion with their new All About Shadow Singles (£16). None of the scariness of those palettes with five shades, these are fabulous colours that work without that faffy blending business. My autumn choice is Purple Pumps, partly for the name, mainly for the flawless purple wash of colour on my lids.
Being created by a former Pussycat Doll would not normally be a selling point for me. But Beautiful Movements Cosmetics (from Kimberly Wyatt) is a natural mineral range, which, because she’s a dancer, is formulated to stay put. Now I don’t do a lot of dancing but I love the way these mineral shadow powders (£7), mixed with the Prime & Create (£20), make a non-budge formula that does me for two school runs and an evening out.
Finally, Frontcover, who always nail it when it comes to on-trend colours. Their individual eyeshadows are so purse-friendly (£4) that you can afford to make a mistake. ‘Depth’, which I chose for my autumnal thang was thankfully not an error: yes, it’s green, but once it’s on it’s really subtle and I’m rather smitten.
And if you are looking for a foundation with a difference, see Yves Saint Laurent’s Youth Liberator Serum Foundation.