St Tropez Skin Illuminator, a welcome edition to my morning make-up mix

I've been raving about this product to my friends for ages so thought I'd share it with you. I seriously can't bear to leave my house in the mornings without the St Tropez Skin Illuminator, a new-ish creation from the makers of the famous tan, beloved by celebs and tanorexics alike, and as we all know these two are  not mutually exclusive.

This illuminator made quite an impression on me the first time I applied it as it gave my dull post Christmas skin a gorgeous sheen which looked fantastic under my foundation which is normally Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra or Bourjois healthy mix foundation dependant on my mood and my plans that day.

My initial thoughts were that it would tinge my skin blue as it has a blue hue but all my worries evaporated as it went on my skin leaving a really natural healthy sheen which was almost reflective..but in a good way. I've worked my new favourite beauty buy into my five minute morning routine, although my boyfriend might argue the timings on that!

My current "five minute" morning make-up routine now consists of applying Mac Strobe cream as base all over my face and neck, followed by St Tropez Illuminator  on my cheekbones and under my eyes, I then apply my foundation with my fingertips in sweeping motions across each section of my face and follow with a concealer if needed, I normally use Touche Eclat or Garnier Caffeine concealer.

I then apply a light dusting of Benefit Get Even Powder which really helps to keep shine at bay during the day, use a kabuki brush rather than the sponge that comes with it, I use the Bare Escentuals one but they're all good.

To contour and highlight I follow with Benefit Bronzing and highlighting duo and I brush on a little Nars Orgasm on the apples of my cheeks which always gives an understated glamourous healthy glow, well I think so anyway!

Follow with a Mac Paint Pot across the eyelid in whichever colour suits your mood as this will keep your eyeshadow on all day without having to use a seperate primer.. my favourite colour right now is Mac Coppering.