Make up from your local supermarket, you say? Actually, these days that isn't as strange as it sounds. Not only are supermarkets selling well known brands on their shelves, they are bringing out their own ranges too. I was recently asked whether I would like to try the relaunched make up range from Tesco, and I said yes for two reasons. One, was because I'd never tried make up from a supermarket before, and two, because I had read good things about this range. I couldn't turn down an opportunity to try some products for myself! Tesco's make up range was formerly known as 'Barbara Daly for Tesco', and has recently relaunched under the new name of 'BD Trade Secrets'. Along with a new name, this relaunch featured new packaging and formulations, and as a whole it appears to have been well received. So, after a few days of using the products that were sent to me, what do I think of them? Read on to find out!



First up is the BD Trade Secrets Vital Skin Long Wear Foundation, in which I chose the second lightest shade. Seeing as I was unable to make it to a store to swatch the foundation shades for myself, I had to make an educated guess on what would be right for me. I have to admit that I actually did extremely well - this shade is an identical match to my skin tone! It is in fact the best colour match that I've found for myself, which is an impressive feat seeing as I own so many foundations. This shade has a neutral undertone, meaning that it doesn't lean cool or warm. I have applied this using both a foundation sponge and my fingers, and I personally prefer the finish that the latters gives, but both applied just as well. As for coverage, I would say that this was a light, buildable to medium; which surprised me, as I thought that it would be a high coverage. It blends very well, and I haven't found it to cake or settle into any uneven texture or lines. The finish is dewy, and I have to say that I didn't find this foundation to ever set - it transferred very easily and still felt almost wet, until I set it with a light dusting of powder. Once I had done that, however, it had impressive lasting power. After a full day at work, I couldn't see any evidence of it wearing away around my nose or mouth. This also fared pretty well on my pores too, without settling into or drawing attention to them - but on my oily t-zone, it did start to let shine through after about an hour of wear. It didn't break down though, unlike some other foundations - so for that, it gets top marks.



Next, I tried the BD Trade Secrets Light Effect Concealer Pen, which again I selected in the second lightest shade. Whereas the foundation was an excellent match for me, this concealer was actually about a shade too dark for me, which was a disappointment. However, with a lot of blending I managed to make it work. You will not be surprised to learn that this is a deliberate copy of the YSL Touche Eclat, but after comparing the two products I found them to be quite different. The Touche Eclat is intended to be used as a highlighter, not a concealer, and as such I don't find the coverage to be all that high. However, with the BD Trade Secrets version, the consistency of the product is thicker and creamier, and therefore offers a slightly higher level of coverage. Due to the shade, this product was unable to offer any highlighting or brightening properties for me, when used underneath my eyes. Whilst it did a reasonable job of concealing my dark circles, the area looked a bit flat and dull - I could really tell the difference between this and the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer. In order to get the coverage that I wanted, I found myself going in with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer to give me that bit more coverage. As the day wore on, I did find that it had creased slightly - nothing major, but I'm used to no creasing at all, so to me it was noticeable. This product sadly wasn't a winner for me!



I love a good blusher, and if it's in a coral shade, then there is a good chance that I will like it. Enter the BD Trade Secrets Velvet Powder Cheek Colour in Fruity, which is a gorgeous, soft peach-coral shade with a touch of shimmer running throughout. After trying to look through Tesco's online images, I took a stab in the dark and hoped that this what I was looking for. Tesco, please sort out your images - they're pretty terrible! As you can see, my image looks nothing like the one that they've used online. The plastic packaging for this let it down as it feels a bit cheap (Especially when compared to the other three products I received, encased in glass and metal), but the product itself far surpassed my expectations. The powder is buttery soft and smooth, and applies like a dream. It is, however, extremely pigmented; far more than it lets on and there is a bit of fallout. I picked some product up with my brush, and it didn't look like anything at all, really - but when I applied it onto my cheek, bam! Don't be put off by this, though, as it is a blendable formula. This meant that I could tone it down quite a lot, and be left with a pretty flush on the cheeks, rather than comical clown make up. Pair this with a pretty highlighter, such as the one I used from Make Up Revolution, and you have a look that is perfect for summer.



Last, but by no means least is a bright and colourful lipstick; the BD Trade Secrets Velvet Cream Lipstick in "Designer". Isn't the packaging lovely? Again, the online images are pretty much useless (Sorry Tesco), but luckily I was able to find another review of this lipstick online so I was able to make my selection. I wanted a lipstick that matched my blusher, and I think from the shades that are available I did pretty well. However, what I wasn't expecting was for the shade to be so bright - I love it! This is what I would call a true coral lipstick, with only the very slightest hint of a pink undertone. Normally, with lighter, brighter shades such as these I really struggle, as they can have a habit of showing up dry patches and applying streaky. My heart did sink a little when I applied the first layer, as it appeared to do just that. However, by adding another layer it smoothed out and my a final third, the colour was truely opaque and smooth in finish! I found this extremely easy to apply, despite the number of layers needed, as it has such a creamy formula; it didn't tug on the skin of my lips at all and almost seemed to melt into them. It settles to a velvet finish, so not quite matte and not quite satin - somewhere inbetween. I was expecting this to wear away unevenly (I really didn't have high hopes for this lipstick, did I?), but it was only when I had forgotten that I was wearing it, and came back to top up a couple of hours later, that I realised that this wasn't the case at all. The shade was still there and noticeable, but a lot more muted and most impressively of all - even. By this point the finish turns into a true matte, but it doesn't feel dry or particularly uncomfortable. All in all, I ended up being extremely impressed by this lipstick!