One of my cousins has skin the colour and texture of a sun-ripened peach. The kind of milky-smooth, honeyed softness that graces the apple-y cheeks of well-nourished children, Brazilian supermodels, and blue-blooded horsey types with equally envy-inducing glossy manes. In the past, admittedly, this has caused me some small stirrings of jealousy. My own skin, whilst perfectly passable, does not exude pore-pampered perfection. But now I have a secret weapon. And his name is Christopher Drummond.
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Christopher Drummond Beauty is an American range, created by a reassuringly attractive ex- model. The make-up is all 100% natural, vegan and organic – in other words, products to make your green halo glow. Natural ingredients and antioxidants (açai, green tea, calming botanicals and essential oils) are championed throughout, and Christopher Drummond promotes a ‘less is more’, understated approach.
 
I fell in love with the brand after trying the Christopher Drummond Veludo Velvet Foundation – a magical powder that instantly injects a shot of warmth into any tired, drab, in-need-a-holiday complexion. Just a sprinkle of the stuff adds a, yep, velvety, veil of matte magnificence. Even better, it genuinely (don’t tell anyone) doesn’t look like make-up. No powdery residue, no greasy sheen, no trace of a lil’ lick of paint.
 
Then there’s the Saúde Pele Radiance Booster. A slick of this golden dust illuminates the skin, as if you’d placed a candle behind your cheekbones. I started off by using it as a highlighter on my brow bones and décolletage, but got excited and ended up dusting it here, there and everywhere, because it’s such a subtle product. Health, vigor and glamour in a pot, that’s what this is.
 
My final tool in achieving skin to rival my dratted cousin’s was the Finale Finishing Powder, another divine little dust that absorbs oil and makes skin look photo-shop flawless. As with all Christopher Drummond beauty-boosters, a little goes a long way – a sparse sprinkling will more than suffice. This makes the rather hefty price tags sting a little less (the range is definitely a splurge, rather than a steal) but products do have a long shelf-life, if you use them wisely.

In case you’re excited about trying out Christopher Drummond lotions, potions and powders for yourself (and believe me, you should be), then I have one final tip for you. You can’t just use any old Tom, Dick or Harry brush for these dazzle-dusts. The only appropriate tool is the Baby Kabuki brush, a product whose very name is cute enough to make my knees a little weak. Baby Kabuki, Baby Kabuki, Baby Kabuki. (Sorry, I can’t help it.) More than just a pretty name, this is a silk-soft, plump and plush brush made from ultra-fine synthetic bristles and special nylon fibres. Sod the science, the important thing is that it feels heavenly.

If you want to take a look at the range, have a peek at www.christopherdrummond.com or www.justbeautydirect.co.uk. Just don’t blame me for the financial damage done.