We may be well past the January 1st, but this is still the time of year for a bit of soul searching. I’m not really one for New Year resolutions. I only have to think about the ‘D’ (for diet) word for instance, and I’m craving the kind of stuff that I’m not usually interested in, like crisps and Jaffa Cakes. Best not to make promises that I’m hard-wired to break, is my policy.
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However, I do like to make innocuous, easy-to-stick-to gestures at about this time of year (usually without telling anyone else — but hey, this is my job....) that might make some sort of beneficial difference.

And so it is that I have promised to come out of my comfort zone with regards to make-up. After what seems like a lifetime of being very cosy with safe and warm tones of brown (pinky-brown, reddy-brown, black-brown.... I’ve done them all) with a smattering of smokey greys, gentle taupes and dusty mushrooms, I’m finally breaking away for 2010.

I didn’t come to this momentous decision all by myself — waking up with a blinding flash one morning. It was as a direct result of walking past the Clinique counter while doing a spot of sale shopping. My eye wandered off the perfume sets momentarily, having been lured away by the make-up palettes.

Barely glancing at the earthy shades, I was being tempted by pinks, lilacs, plums and purples — so NOT me normally, and yet.... impossible to resist. On the one hand rather girly, but on the other elegant and definitely gorgeous (as well as a welcome change from red, which is definitely NOT me). Oh go for it girl!

The Shimmering Stripes Powder Blusher in Tuxedo Plums (£23) in it’s sleek silver case, looks a little scary to begin with — the four shades, arranged in stripes, range from bold pink to deep plum. But all it takes is a gentle swirl with a blusher brush to deliver a pearly pink radiant glow. Go easy here (unless you like a really rosy look) as a little goes a long way.

The Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Black Tie Violets (pictured above) (£22) is a mouth-wateringly beautiful selection of colours, but also the real test of my new found boldness. But I needn’t have worried. The four co-ordinating shades, from icy pink through to deep aubergine, are easy to blend and allow you to create a number of different effects, from subtly muted to wide-awake perky or sexy-sultry. The palest shade is perfect for the inner corners of the eyes and for highlighting the brow bone, while the darkest is great as a liner and for creating smokey evening eyes (and not as hard as black).

To complete the new me, I finished with Full Potential Lips Plump and Shine in Double Plum (£13). I love this glossy gloss (which is on the sheer rather than intensely coloured side) which feels luscious on, but without being annoyingly sticky. And, over time, it will apparently make my lips look fuller. What’s not to love?