It’s an oldie but a goody – introducing you to the hardest-working item in my make-up bag, the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in bronze. It’s £35 so probably at the high end of what you’d spend on one product but lasts two to three years – or until I drop it on the floor and it shatters into a million iridescent pieces that my children immediately grind into the carpet. Don’t be an idiot like me – take care of your Shimmer Brick and it will serve you very, very well.

 

This nifty multi-tasker of five stripes of glimmery, complementary colours works as a bronzer, a blusher, a highlighter and an eyeshadow. I’m less tanned than usual this summer – cheers, rainy staycation! – but in the morning, with a flick of a brush, this takes me from greying corpse to bronzed goddess (well, kinda). If, however, you’ve returned all glowy from sunnier climes (I hate you), it’ll also enhance and highlight that J.Lo vibe. It’s the perfect late summer product, basically. For bronzing, swirl a fat brush over all five stripes for even colour distribution, or use the individual shades as eyeshadows. The very palest colour also works as a highlighter on the cupid’s bow or just under the browbone. A lot of bang for your buck, non?

I know some people are scared of anything vaguely glittery but this is all about a subtle, flattering gleam, and it’s very buildable – I layer it until I reach optimum twinkliness (is that a word?!). If you’re still worried, before you start swirling across your cheeks gently knock the brush on the side of your hand to shake off any excess product. What’s more, I’m a big fan of the chunky, expensive-feeling compact, complete with mirror, and minimalist monochrome design.

It comes in five shades – Bronze works best with my pale-olive skin but I’d highly recommend whizzing to your nearest Bobbi Brown counter (John Lewis in Wycombe, perhaps) to pin down your perfect shade – the BB make-up artists are brilliantly trained, totally get that, when it comes to make-up, number 1 priority is flawless, glowing skin – and will never turn your face Trumpian orange.

Words: Kerry Potter