My lovely sister-in-law came to visit me over the Easter weekend and, as she’s a true makeup junkie, I decided to have a delve into my various storage boxes and drawers and offload some of my unused cosmetics. (Note that I say unused and not unwanted: I want absolutely everything, it’s just unfortunate that I have only one face to try things on.)

Anyway, as I was clacking my way though about fifty-thousand eyeshadow palettes and pulling out concealers that hadn’t seen the light of day since the millennium, I discovered quite a few odds and ends that used to be firm makeup favourites. And they weren’t shelved away because I stopped loving them, I simply had other things to test.

So here they are; some of my old makeup favourites. Long-time readers will remember the ByTerry Cover Expert foundation – apparently this formula has now changed and has an SPF added. I haven’t tried the new version, but the reviews online don’t seem particularly favourable. This may be controversial, but I actually like to have a few foundation options that don’t contain SPF – I don’t always need sun protection, or I like to have the choice and use a standalone one if it’s required…

I’ll tell you what, though: Charlotte Tilbury’s Retoucher for dark circles – it’s bloody brilliant! Sort of like a concealer-touche-eclat hybrid. Illuminating but also opaque enough to offset any shadows, so long as they’re not too dramatic. Lovely, silky formula, easy to blend, doesn’t go dry or chalky and doesn’t sit in fine lines. Great stuff – you can see it in action in the video below, along with a nude eyeshadow palette that’s a good option if you hate shimmers and an affordable – and suitable for fair skin – bronzing powder. All of the product links are below the video pane. Enjoy…

By Terry Cover Expert Foundation in Shade 8: WARNING, they have now changed the formulation of this and added SPF. This is NOT the one I try in the video!

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer in Shade 1: http://tidd.ly/9fc15952*

Urban Decay Primer: http://tidd.ly/7b904a3a*

Becca Nude Shadow Palette: http://bit.ly/2oNof8R*

Chanel Volume de Chanel Mascara: http://bit.ly/2ojO4JI*

Charlotte Tilbury Retoucher Pen Shade 2: https://goo.gl/77WXXE*

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Flirt, Shade 69: has this lipstick formula been discontinued?! I shall try to find out…