It's so easy to get stuck in the same makeup ways, year in year out. You know what works and you stick with it. But once in a while, it's good to step out of the box and do something new - still in keeping with your personal style but with a little extra edge. A dash of eye colour or slick of saucy red can add a fresh take on a mundane face so with a few tips and tricks why not swap same-same with different...
After a while, the same foundation can start looking a bit drab. Just switching to a more light-reflecting or illuminating type can be the biggest skin brightener (and take a few years off too!) Alternatively, if the sound of detoxing your make-up bag sounds good, then check out mineral makeup, which is tipped to be the next big thing. It's ideal for sensitive or problem prone skin and L'Oréal Paris have introduced their version, True Match Minerals, £14.99. It comes in six shades to suit all skin tones and uses ‘skin-friendly minerals' which actually protect and nourish the skin whilst giving a light, even coverage.
If the same shade of shadow has existed in your makeup routine for years, then maybe it's time to try something new. Believe it or not, it's easy to experiment with different shades without a) breaking the bank and b) looking like an extra out of Halloween. Pick up a couple of mono eye-shadows to test the waters and choose colours that complement eyes and skin tone. Bright, fun shades like Blue Xenon, from L'Oréal Paris Color Appeal Holographic, £4.99 or Maybelline New York Expertwear mono in Caribbean Blue, £3.49, look great along the lash line. Rim eyes with a navy or black eyeliner, Maybelline New York has just launched new Line Definer for more refine and precise definition £4.99, and dab the coloured eye-shadow on top to perk things up - great for colour virgins.
If you're hooked to bronzer, try prizing yourself away for a pinky blush instead to liven up flagging winter faces. For flushed rosy cheeks, try L'Oréal Paris Blush Delicieux, in Sandlewood Veil, £6.99 - so much cheerier and oh-so sweet too.
With the femme fatale so hot on this season's trend list, what better way to spice things up than with some power-pout action? Try ditching the gloss and go for lips that scream sex-appeal. L'Oréal Paris Color Riche Star Secrets have staying power and star appeal. Alternatively, if leaving the gloss is too much to bare, then try Maybelline New York Superstay Lip Color £3.99 which combines lip colour and condition and shine thanks to its 2-step process, great combination.
And finally, when it comes to hair, most of us are guilty of the same style day after day. Try sprucing things up with a volume mousse like Garnier Fructis Body & Volume Amplifier Mousse, £2.99, which will add body and life as well as all day hold. Using a home colourant is another dare to bare option and with one like Nutrisse Cream from Garnier, £6.49, which has a range of 26 fantastic shades each with double dose of avocado oil conditioner, designed to leave your tresses nourished at the same time as beautifully coloured.
