I was recently asked which brand I most enjoyed working for and my first thought was ‘Bourjois!’. One of the first make up items I bought as a teenager was a girlie pink Bourjois eyeshadow palette, with a frosted pink which I smeared all over my eyelids and a fuchsia shade which I thought looked great on cheeks… Well yes anyway, it gave Bourjois a special place in my heart as a fun, feminine, colourful makeup brand, and working there for nearly 5 years definitely lived up to my expectations. The atmosphere in the office was young, fun and collaborative, and as well as building lasting friendships while I was there, I also stayed faithful to some of Bourjois’ bestselling products.

Little Round Pot Blush Rose Frisson

The Little Round Pot practically needs no introduction, it has gone down in beauty history as one of the most iconic makeup products ever. Bourjois makeup started life in the 19^th century as a collection of thick grease paints aimed at theatre actors for their on stage performances (more is more in this case). Launched over 150 years ago, the powder blush was baked to provide a super fine soft texture for seamless blending, making it ideal for women off stage. Today Bourjois still uses the baked technology formula which features a lovely subtle rose scent. Every blush comes in a round pot with a built-in mirror and curved brush for easy application on your cheekbones. The brush doesn’t have great blending capabilities, but the powder is so fine you’ll still get a perfect result. Rose Frisson is what I would call a flushed pink shade with only the slightest hint of shimmer, and it’s become a staple in my makeup bag. 

Poudre de Riz de Java

Another Bourjois product that started life in the 1800s, and it looks like it’s straight out of that era. The packaging seems a pretty close replica of the 1879 version for a strong vintage feel. The lid twists off to reveal little holes through which to shake the powder out (I’m sure there’s a technical word for this mechanism!). I shake the loose powder into the lid and use a kabuki brush to apply on my T-zone over liquid foundation or tinted moisturiser for a brightening effect. As with all Bourjois powders it is silky soft, very fine and easy to blend. It claims to be a universal shade, but I’m really not sure that this shimmery porcelain pink would truly be suitable for all skintones. For my winter pale complexion though this powder provides the ideal translucent, luminous finish.

Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder

Finally, a product that combines my two passions in life: beauty and chocolate. I think this bronzing powder perfectly represents the Bourjois spirit: fun, quirky and unique. Aptly named Délice de Poudre (meaning ‘powder delight’), the packaging opens up like a book to reveal a slab of ‘chocolate’, AKA a chocolate-scented (sort of, trust me the ultra sugary fragrance won’t give you cravings) shimmery bronzing powder. For my pale skin tone I use the lighter shade and dust on or under cheekbones in the winter, then in the summer I go all out with a kabuki brush to buff it along my hairline, temples, cheekbones and chin. It goes with me on every sunny holiday destination and I would rate this as the best bronzer that I’ve found for my skin tone, one that I go back to time and again.

Wearing Blush Rose Frisson, Délice de Poudre, Poudre de Riz, Khol & Contour Prunissime and Rouge Edition Violine Strass

Rouge Edition Violine Strass

I never thought I could pull off such a dark plummy lipstick shade. I had flashbacks to my teenage self trying on a dark matte brown lipstick from The Body Shop and looking like a sick vampire. But the Violine Strass shade has turned out to be one of my all time favourite lip colours (my other two staples are bright red and fuchsia). The hydrating formula provides high pigment colour which doesn’t bleed or seep into fine lines. It works particularly well with a warmed up complexion, or surprisingly teamed with a plum smokey eye achieved with Burberry’s eye palette (yes, I went there and did full on makeup on lips AND eyes).

Khôl & Contour Brun Dépendante and Prunissime

Brown is my go to pencil shade when I can’t be bothered with decision making. Softer than black but still adding definition, I rim the water and lash lines for a gently pulled together look. The colour lasts a good few hours before smudging, and even then the blurring isn’t unwelcome, giving that lived in look without looking like a complete panda. Prunissime is a purple shade which brings out my blue eyes and adds a little more interest to the eye area. My only criticism is that the texture could do with being creamier so that the colour glides on without dragging. As it is you have to insist quite a bit across the same area to get a strongly pigmented result.

What Bourjois products have you tried? I’d love to hear about your firm favourites, just leave a comment below to let me know.