Fresh faced

When you think of Neal’s Yard Remedies you probably think of their famed bath, body and skin care items and, most likely, their tinctures and teas, but have you heard they’ve launched a make-up collection?

A make-up collection which also happens to be the first ever to receive Soil Association accreditation. It’s a range that’s concurrently full and succinct; there are enough products to create a whole look and enough colours to be experimental, but all within the realm of a polished, natural finish.

There are mineral eye shadows, eye liners, blushers and bronzers, as well as lip glosses. There are even six bamboo handled brushes, in addition to organic eye make-up remover and facial wipes (yes they do exist).

Before I get reviewing, I must tell you how impressed I am with the packaging of the range. It’s immediately recongisable NYR Organics fare – quietly elegant and gorgeously grown up.

1. Mineral Eye Shadow in Bluebell – £11.50 for 2g

   Each of the talc-free mineral eye shadows is based on a blend of wild rosehip seed oil and organic corn powder; ingredients which help to keep the eye comfortably moisturised, while ensuring a long lasting application.

   I’ve been playing with the Bluebell, one of the most distinctive shades. It’s a deep inky blue that steers well clear of any 80′s connotations. It sweeps onto the eye with ease, leaving just the right dose of pigment. The colour is very true to its packaging with a soft iridescence.

   I’ve particularly enjoyed applying this shadow as an alternative to eye liner, using a fine tapered brush to build colour at the root of the lash. To take this look to evening, you could apply over the Mineral Eye Liner in Midnight.

   It lives up to the claims of longevity, fading only after six hours. There are seven other shades to choose from, I’m also rather drawn to the Wild Plum.

   Little tip: brown eyed belles should certainly experiment with blues, as it brings out the best of their chocolatey tones.

2. Mineral Eye Liner in Oak – £9.50 for 1.25g

   There are just three liners in Slate, Oak and Midnight. I’ve been trialling the Oak, a rich cocoa brown. The colour glides onto the eye, avoiding unpleasant dragging. Again, it builds well, allowing you to create the level of colour you wish.

   Usually a slave to my black liner, I’ve found the Oak to be a great alternative for a softer effect. It thickens the look of the lash line, but creates a fairly fresh faced look – perfect for those who prefer to peep through effortlessly pretty eyes.

   For such a gentle finish, I was surprised and delighted to find it lasted so well, staying neatly in place all day.

   Little tip: warm your eye liner by holding the tip in your palm for a stronger, smudgier finish.

3. Mineral Blusher in Heather – £16.50 for 6g

   Also talc-free, the Mineral Blushers come in little pots with a perforated dividing layer, minimising the chance of any loose powder disasters. I’ve been wearing Heather, the deepest of the four colours, which is a warm pink.

   I was a little wary that this would be a touch too dark, but found it blended well leaving an even flush of pink cheeked glow. It’s a lovely, healthy, tone and the finish is fresh rather than too pearlescent or flat.

   Little tip: sweep a hint of blush onto temples and chin for a beautiful warmth. But, be careful to use only the residue from your brush to avoid going overboard!

4. Luscious Lip Gloss in Goji Berry – £9.50 for 15ml

   Who wouldn’t love a little tube of Luscious Lip Gloss? The formula hydrates with its own Organic Beauty Oil and is prettily flavoured with organic sweet orange.

   I’ve been using the Goji Berry, which appears fairly red in the tube. Don’t be put off from experimenting with any of the so called ‘darker’ shades, as on the lip they are far more translucent. The Goji Berry gives a flush of warmth, which really rather resembles a naturally rosy pout.

   It’s also extremely comfortable to wear, nourishing the lip while being blissfully (and kissably) stick-free.

   This really is an ideal day to day gloss for anyone who wants to add depth to their lips without looking too ‘done’.

   Little tip: dot a small amount of this gloss onto your upper cheekbone for a dewy warmth.

The verdict:

Fantastic formulas that live up to each promise made, this is a wonderful collection for those who favour a soft and sleek finish. It’s not about being fashion forward, but a timeless beauty that works at every age. There’s sure to be at least one item that will become a staple of your make-up bag.

I’d love to hear how you’ve got on with the NYR Organics make-up, whether you have found any favourites, or whether you have any items marked out for future beauty buys.

http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/cosmetics

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