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Monday 6 December 2010

Mineral make-up giveaway

It's a Coffee Lady giveaway! How seasonal! 

Just look what I've got for you!


More, you say? More! More! I'll give you more!

It doesn't even stop! No it doesn't!

I wear make-up practically every day - not loads, but enough to make me feel like I don't resemble the walking dead. I don't want to look younger, I don't want to hide away behind a mask - I just want to look a bit brighter, a bit less tired.

I'm not alone. According to a study commissioned by Sheer Cover® mineral make-up, polling over 1000 women, 32% of those asked said they would prefer to go to a Christmas party without their underwear, their winter coat and their friends rather than go without make-up.

I got the chance to try a set of Sheer Cover foundation this month, and I expected to be able to tell you how nice it was, and then move on. Make-up is make-up, yes? What's the difference?

What I didn't expect was to utterly love the stuff. All of a sudden, I looked like an advertisement for glowiness and health, even on the days I felt far from glowy or healthy. It didn't have that foundation 'look' - my skin just looked better. Much better.

I did worry that the effect wouldn't last long. I'm used to a liquid foundation - with mineral foundation you apply loose powder with a brush. I wasn't convinced it would make it through a day - but it did. To prove it, I walked through a snowstorm on the way back from work and it still stayed put. (I didn't deliberately walk through a snowstorm. But still, it was a pretty good test.)

I should have known. Last year after my 40th birthday I set up The Changing Room, a Flickr group where a few of us posted pictures of what we were wearing in order to get an honest opinion.  The conversation there turned to make-up, and mineral make-up was praised by another member, who liked it for not being cakey. See - bloggers are always right.

I also tried Sheer Cover eye highlighters, which knocked the socks off anything I'd tried for a long while, giving a sparkly but subtle sheen. Mascara usually falls right off me - I have to buy the stuff that has to be sandblasted off - but this one lasted the day without the dreaded panda eyes. The concealer hid the dark circles under my eyes incredibly well.

So I emailed Sheer Cover and asked if I could share the joy.  And they were more than generous - so one lucky winner will get these super things:

Eyeshadow Palette - Modern Classics
Eyeshadow Palette - Naturals
Lip Gloss Collection - Berry.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. (If you like, tell me what vital make-up discovery you can't do without.)

If you want an extra entry, link to the giveway on your blog, follow me on Twitter, or comment on this giveaway on my Facebook page.

Entries from the UK only please - the giveaway closes at 10pm on Wednesday December 15th.

Congratulations to the winner - Ticking Stripes!

51 comments:

  1. Hello *waves*
    I cannot do without black eyeliner! The End.

    Already follow you on Twitter - just about to head over to your FB page

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  2. I have only just started wearning make up in my forties. Needs must lol! So I guess any make up that tells me how to apply it is the most vital thing at the minute. Will attempt to do other entry methods
    I tweet as @netcurtains and blog at http://gigglingatitall.blogspot.com

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  3. I've never used make-up in my teen or adult life because I'm so deathly allergic to synthetics and stuff. I hear that mineral makeup is as natural as can be and that intrigues me. I've always wished I could powder myself up a bit like other gals do. :)


    I'm not British but I will be staying in the UK from Dec 6-Mar 1 with my Auntie who lives in Leeds, if that counts? *hopeful*

    my twitter is @dazedpuckbunny

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  4. Just added you on Twitter (@frmlittleacorns) - my make-up 'can't-do-without' ia Baby Oil

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  5. I've never managed to find a makeup that looked or felt right on me so would love to give it a try. My only 'makeup' at the moment is moisturizer!

    K x

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  6. Oooh! I don't often enter giveaways, but this one is FAB! I think I might go and give that powder a try - I've used minerals for a few years now and swear by them, but it's good for your face to have a change now and then. Keeps it interested!

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  7. Do they have an eyebrow pallette, brush and shaper? I've become obsessed with the shape of my eyebrows of late. They're the wrong shape and thinning (even a few gray hairs which I resist from plucking) and I have a permanent look of being startled. I spend incessant hours staring at the beautifully tweezed and vintage shaped brows of celebrities and models. I'm convinced this is my key to youthfulness. Oh, and I'm a huge convert to false eyelashes. There's no going back for me for a night out. If you can get past them flying away in a gust of wind, or coming off on your clothing they're the stuff of hollywood glamour. I'd buy mineral makeup for the natural foundation and highlighting colour and then slap on the hairy synthetics for the finishing touches.

    Does anywhere sell glue on brows???

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  8. Make-up? Did someone say make-up? I love it all. In large quantities. Slathered and caked. Sticky lip-glosses and heavy eye-liner! But I'd rather have chocolate.

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  9. I've never worn makeup since a trip to the Rocky Horrow Show in the late 1980s, but you make it sound so much fun I've come over all Eddie Izzard.

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  10. I love mineral makeup. I have sensitive skin and this is great. I am a big eye makeup gal when I go out.

    I already follow you on twitter @susankmann

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  11. I love mineral makeup. I have sensitive skin and this is great. I am a big eye makeup gal when I go out.

    I already follow you on twitter @susankmann

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  12. Make up. I need make up. I really really do. Please kind and dear lady, put me in your hat. Thankyou kindly xx

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  13. I only wrote the other day about wanting to try new eyeshadow colours! Following on Twitter and commented on FB too. @sandycalico

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  14. About a week ago I decided I really should make a bit of an effort and wear make up every day, not just special days. It looks fine in the morning, but gone by evening. I must give minerals a try: put my name in the hat, please.

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  15. Oh what a fab prize.....I have to have mascara, feel naked otherwise.

    Now following you on twitter
    @cherishedbyme

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  16. I might just have been that cake-free fan! But I've never tried anything but mineral foundation and goodness knows, I could do with a little more help than usual about now in the old youth and vitality department!!

    We should kick start that Changing Room thing again, you know. It did help.

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  17. Mascara1
    Oh and vaseline in this cold weather (for my lips!!)
    Gill

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  18. Hi, following your blog as Jude Dunn, stalking you on twitter @jadlgw and have tweeted.

    I can't do without mascara and a heavy duty concealer :)

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  19. What a lovely giveaway. Can I put my name in the hat?
    I cannot live without black eyeliner or mascara for the matter. I'm falling for foundation at the moment too, I play about with it all the time.

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  20. Oh I want to try!! I can't live without concealer for my dark circles!!
    Kemcaflipflops

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  21. I definitely want to be in with a chance. I LOVE make up and don't wear it often enough lately(I keep scaring little children on the school run!)
    I can't live without Benefit concealer and black eye liner by virgin vie. It is fab and goes on so easily.

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  22. pick me, pick me!!! I love mineral make up having been converted recently. I have rosacea and it's the only product I've found that minimises all those pinky/rosey bits I'd prefer not to see. My favourite makeup? Mascara and Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour cream which I use as lip gloss as well as for everything else....

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  23. Good make-up removing wipes - I swear by Johnson's. Because there always comes a point when you have to take the stuff off!

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  24. I thought they were tiny macaroons. I would have left a comment if they had been.

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  25. Lipgloss is my make up must have

    will follow you on twitter too

    @mumsurviveguide

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  26. My skin has turned from clear to appalling since I passed 40 - so now I need concealer like never before. I guess thats what happens if you mis out on acne as a teenager ...

    Oh, and without mascara I look as if I have no eyes. Seriously.

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  27. I have an address in the UK (although I don't technically live there) and I'm a British national... can I be included... please :)

    Two things I discovered that I cannot live without one is mineral foundation/powder. I'm quite freckly and normal foundation just covers them up and makes me look ridiculously pale, whereas mineral make-up foundation just smoothes everything nicely. The other thing is non-waterproof mascara which only comes off if you use water over 37C. The stuff is amazing, its like waterproof mascara, without needing the sandblaster :)

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  28. Hi, I cannot imagine not having my mascara ;) Following on twitter as @Kahanka

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  29. Hi coffee lady. My favourite makeup tip actually is mineral make up. I've been using L'Oreal True Match Minerals recently, after years of paying top dollar for Estee Lauder Stay in Place stuff and Laura Mercier foundation and primer. It beats them all hands down. It stays on, has good coverage and it keeps shine away. It looks natural and doesn't cake. Great stuff. Very happy to try another brand, however, so do please enter me into your giveaway! countrymouse xx

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  30. Oh I wants to win! I don't go out of the house without my make-up on: concealer, mousse foundation, powder foundation, blusher, lip salve/gloss, eye shadow, eye liner and mascara!
    So evidently winning would save me a fortune!
    (oh and I'm following on twitter and commented on FB!)

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  31. Please enter me - 36 years of number 7 and its time I moved out of my comfort zone and pushed the boundaries!

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  32. For me it is mineral make up - My skin flares up so bad if I use normal make up but I've found mineral make up so much softer on my skin, its brilliant.

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  33. Premakeup bases that disguise redness & stop my face getting too shiny.

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  34. I have just discovered your blog through thephilosophyoflists.blogspot.com.
    love your White Stuff post. I can just imagine you standing in front of your fridge gobbling creamy mouthfuls. Very Nigella!
    Your giveaway is fab, I can vouch for the foundation and use it most days at work. Makeup just makes you feel better about yourself, even if you don't use much. Sometimes less is more. Maybe I'll try it out,having just broken my arm I'm thinking mineral makeup would be easier one armed. I'll give it a go and let you know.

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  35. Ok, so I left a comment on FB, I am following you on twitter already and now I am leaving one comment here... Am I a winner??
    I never tried mineral makeup. The queues at the counter in Selfridges have always been way too long.

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  36. Hey there.

    I am only a recent convert to make-up (non-sleeping children have piled the years rather than the pounds on me). But I can't do without lovely lip balm. Does that count as make-up? Or is it (li) skin care? Nevermind, I hope you'll still enter me for the competition as I am in dire need.

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  37. I am a makeup addict myself but I am also cheap to a fault. I loved the idea of mineral makeup - even moreso if it really does stay put all day. Thing is it comes in those teeny little containers and there seems so little to it I have feared it would all be used up in no time. I am interested to see how it compares to liquid in that regard.

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  38. I don't wear makeup often but when I do it gives me a brief glimpse back to the pre-kid days when I had time to put on the stuff....makes me feel a bit tingly!
    I like eye shadow. Stuff on my lips never stays on long, I like food and cups of tea too much!

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  39. Hi, What a fab giveaway. I wear make up every day and I can not live without my eyebrow pencil. If I do not use it my eyebrows look bald as they are so fair! lol

    I have tweeted, followed and liked your FB fan page.

    Cheers, Mich x

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  40. Blusher. I always thought it was a waste of time. Until someone put it on me properly and made me realise I no longer looked half dead...

    I follow you on twitter as @bumblingtweets. Heading over to FB now ;-)

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  41. I think I could do with some extra help right now... quite a bit of extra help!

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  42. Hmm this is interesting! I think I could definitely do with some new makeup!

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  43. I'm afraid I usually run out of the door with only a dab of Nivea, not always that; but was only thinking yesterday that the time has come to make More Effort.

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  44. I'm a bit scared of make up to be honest...
    I find it makes me look older, which was great to get into nightclubs at 14 not so great in my 30's!
    I do have a lush white chocolate and honey lip balm in my bag that I can't live without :D

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  45. I know I look better with make -up on....I am an all or nothing kind of girl - never finding just mascara or a bit of blusher cutting the mustard.
    I am glad you have been wowed by this make up range.

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  46. Hello,
    I need make-up help. Can only really do mascara!
    Judy

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  47. Hit 50 yesterday - need something to make me feel better!

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  48. I can't do without my YSL Touche Eclat to conceal the dark circles under my eyes as my 5 week old little girl is nocturnal and has her days and nights mixed up...right now I need all the help I can get :-)

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  49. Mine used to be (and still is, I suppose) mascara because I have very fine and fair eyelashes and eyebrows. But I hav recently been converted to the benefits of a professional dye-job. When they need doing, everyone makes solicitous comments about my health/tiredness. But when they've been done, I get comments on how well I'm looking! and nobody ever puts 2 and 2 together and realises what I've had done!
    Subtle but effective, not unlike the mineral make-up which I've heard such good reports about and would love to try................

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  50. These look and sound great, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

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