If my make-up bag were pinched or lost, or struck by lightning or exploded as a suspicious package by airport security, and I were left with a blank canvas but an emergency life to lead, what would I do? I would head for the nearest Bobbi Brown counter.
However exotic my tastes may run, however cutting-edge my product focus may go, the staples of my face paint remain Bobbi — from the tinted face balm as a daytime base to the fantastic chocolate eyeshadow palettes that veer from mushroom to mahogany shot through with stardust to the Pink Coral powder blush.
But don’t underestimate old faithfuls — there’s some rock’n’roll lurking beneath the sensible head girl. This is not just day-to-night, season-to-season practical perfection, although I do love it for its straight-talking efficacy. Bobbi definitely owns a pair of disco knickers. Bad Bobbi. Somebody’s been a naughty girl…
The high shimmer lip glosses are simultaneously MAC daring and Bobbi subtle. My favourite shade is Candlelight; a pale gold stuffed with glimmer (rather than scratchy glitter). Non-gloopy — it doesn’t magnetically attract stray strands of hair — it fattens the lips for that faintly porny party rudeness and if you lay it over the top of a powerfully pigmented lipstick (YSL Rouge Pur Couture is ruthless), you’ll give Joan Collins a run for her pouty money. And that, my ladies, should really be our aim this festive season.
Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lip Gloss, £18 (bobbibrown.co.uk)