Stila All Over Shimmer Luminiser - perfect to set off a tan

Now I've got a nice, brown, base tan (and no longer a fake tan hurrah!) I want to enhance the shimmer. Not glow from sweat (well if I can help it) you understand, but a twinkle and highlight to my skin that will make it look youthful and glowing.

I grabbed a little file of Stila All Over Shimmer Luminiser in Kitten Shimmer (there is a more bronze, pink and rose gold version but I quite like the pinkiness of this shade) and have been using it to enhance my cheeks, forehead and neckline to great effect.

It's creamy, easy to use and minimises lines and wrinkles really well.


Here is how to use it properly.
   

Stila All Over Shimmer Luminiser, £16. 

Great new colours from Stila

Great new make-up colours from Stila

Fashion-forward as always these shades are straight from the catwalk and have landed up in my make-up bag - thank you Stila for sending them over!

The Gorgeous Color Balm Lipsticks are £16 each and are rich in pigment but have the nourishing properties of a balm - perfect for this lip-destroying cold weather. Infused with peppermint oil to soothe irritated lips and a phyto-derived emollient that keeps lips hydrated, these little beauties come in 18 lush shades. You also get a bit of plumping with the addition of certified organic sunflower-based polyclyceride so lips look absolutely at their best. I found they had great staying-power too. The shades featured here are Valentina and Natasha.

Next to these are the Stay All Day Wet-to-Set Eye Shadow Trio in First Light. There are 6 colour palettes in all and Stila Global Creative Director, Sarah Lucero suggests dampening a brush and swirling it into the shadow to create a creamy consistency that can then be layered. Using water makes them last for hours along with making them really easy to use - a winner in my book.

Stila Stay All Day Foundation and Concealer

I'm not a great one for foundation and prefer to use a tinted moisturiser or powders - even though I now know I need help to even out my skin tones and cover up blemishes - oh woe the dawning of an old aged skin!

I went along to a Stila launch recently and against my usual natural hesitance found myself in front of one of their brilliant makeup artists. He was there to promote the new Stila Stay all Day Foundation & Concealer and before I knew it he was remarking on my lovely skin (well it was tanned) while whisking a brush lightly over my cheekbones and forehead. He then used a little concealer under my eyes and finished off the whole effect with a flourish of blusher...

I looked in the mirror and I must say I was very impressed. Because this range has no fewer than 16 different shades from bare (1) to cocoa (16) he had managed to match my skin tone perfectly - I was caramel (10). So my skin looked exactly like my skin but a more perfect version. And it did last all day and into the evening which was pretty impressive too.

So how does it work? The formula is oil-free so glides on effortlessly and doesn't feel at all heavy. It contains botanical extracts like ginseng, gynostemma and ginsenosides that enhance blood flow and circulation in the skin's capillaries. This all helps with slowing down premature aging apparently, but I suppose only time will tell with that claim! Vitamins A & C also provide antioxidant benefits and Vitamin E helps with more anti-aging.

It also contains a unique silicone elastomer so your skin looks and feels, well, skin-like! The lid contains the matching concealer and a small mirror for touch-ups and the whole kit comes with a brush for easy application. The downside? It is a bit pricey at £29.50 but I have been using a tiny amount which gives me great coverage so I do think it will outlast most cheaper alternatives. I'm not sure when it goes on sale but will be soon so keep an eye on Stila!