As someone who mostly shops online, I was late to discover Tesco’s new look beauty halls and may have audibly gasped when I stumbled across one in Belfast (Knocknagoney). I’d just popped in for cotton wool pads and deodorant, yet there in front of me were rows of shiny beauty stands that wouldn’t look out of place in Boots or a department store.
I’ve since been trying out some of Tesco’s Barbara Daly line, now revamped as BD Trade Secrets. I dabbled in these products when I first got into beauty, about a gazillion years ago, but in recent months it’s re-launched with a new look, name and formula - some wrapped up in more glamorous packaging than I remember. Originally launched with makeup artist, Barbara Daly (in 1998, wow), the new improved collection was created with another MUA, Abby Ireland.
My personal favourites are the Dream Shine Highlighter, Pure Matte Lip Melt in Independent and lipliner pencil in Sugar & Spice - swatched above in this order. Dream Shine, £7.99 (as seen in my March Favourites) comes in a pretty gold tube with a pump applicator and is a shimmery cool beige, pearly cream that works well on my complexion. I’ve shown it swatched heavily to give you an idea of the colour, then lightly next to that.
Pure Matte Lip Melt, £5.99 seriously impressed me and looks stunning on (I thought I had a pic of it on my lips but can’t find it for love nor money - if you’d like to see it leave a comment below & I’ll share one on Twitter or Instagram). Likewise, the lipliner pencil, £2.99 is soft, creamy and really well pigmented… the colour is more nude and less brown than it looks here, the perfect natural nude shade that I’ve been reaching for a lot.
The full line up photographed at the top includes Va Va Boom mascara with an arched wand which scared the life out of me but actually applies very well; Light-Effects concealer highlighting pen in #2 (too dark for me) and Flawless Primer (which I discovered softens fine lines when a little is gently patted over makeup or on bare skin).
While luxury makeup will always be my favourite, budget brands are absolutely catching up and I’m repeatedly impressed with the quality of some, so expect to see more scattered among my posts soon. And next time you’re in Tesco, check out BD Trade Secrets and let me know what you think - or have a look online here. (PS a little bird told me the products are made in the same factory as Charlotte Tilbury makeup - interesting!).
