Ex-Catonia singer and I'm A Celebrity… survivor Cerys Matthews has pledged her support for National Dare To Go Bare Day on 18 April with Brecon Carreg Water, for which she's urging women to look after their skin and have the confidence to go without make-up for the day. When she does use a little help to enhance her looks, however, the sexy songstress told us she loves mineral make-up which she started using when she lived in Nashville, USA.
Which is timely, because it's a rapidly growing sector of the market over here with even more new launches this spring. Just launched, Maybelline has Pure.
Mineral Foundation, £9.99, which gives the coverage of a normal base with the lightweight feel of a powder. Ingredients have been chosen for their multi-tonal properties so skin doesn't look dull or flat.
And it comes with a Kabuki brush specifically designed for be used in circular motions which is how the foundation should be applied. Maybelline make-up artist Fiona Jolly recommends applying your concealer first and then, she says, "Really load up the brush – don't just dab – and work it into the skin". Fiona uses more than one shade of mineral foundation to shape the contours of the face, with a darker tone around the edges to get what she calls a "3D effect". She loves minerals because she says they make skin look as good in bright daylight as at night, so she uses it most on press junkets when her celebrity clients are promoting films, to keep them looking good throughout the day.
Available in five shades with an SPF15. Bourjois has launched a retro-style Loose Powder, £7.95, with the very modern addition of mineral ingredients to make it less drying, more comfortable to wear, with an even, shine-free finish, helping set make-up for lasting hold. And it comes with a powder puff to help create an airy, light, transparent veil of make-up.
Bourjois make-up artist Cassie Lomas recommends removing excess powder by tapping the puff against the back of the hand, then drawing it down the T-zone (where most will be absorbed) first before sweeping across the rest of the face, removing excess with a large brush. Cassie also recommends using it to lighten blush or eyeshadow when you've applied too much.
Visit www.daretogobare.co.uk for more information or to register for Cerys's Dare To Go Bare campaign.
