While I don’t mind at all if the packaging for my skincare is plain and functional but when it comes to makeup I have to love the presentation. There are brands I’m just not interested in solely because I don’t like the style of packaging. Smith & Cult definitely doesn’t fall into that category and I’m completely drawn to its sleek and pretty (with a bit edge) designs. Thankfully, the makeup itself is rather good too and I’m pleased that the range is growing to include more products.

The latest offerings include the Book Of Eyes (£34) which is a 4-pan eyeshadow palette that comes in 4 colour ways. There’s a strong argument that 4 different shades is the optimal amount per palette as there’s lots of different looks you can create from it without becoming overwhelmed by too much choice. I was sent Noonsuite but would have been delighted with any of them with the exception of Interlude, which is too pinky/mauve for my tastes. The shadows are extremely soft, bendable, with lots of pigment and have varying levels of irridence/sheen.

The  B-Line Pens (£21) are  liquid liners that are great for adding definition to the eyes and for making lashes looker thicker in a way that pencils can’t quite achieve. For a while, I stopped using liquid liners because I thought there was a beauty law that those over 40 weren’t allowed to use them. However, I now realise there’s no age limit on any product and you can adapt how you use things to best suit you.  These days I soften  liquid liners with either shadow or pencil on top so I still get that great definition and long wear. The B-Lines come in 3 shades: Still Riot – a true black, Rush To Whisper – a glistening grey and The Shhh – a grey-brown, which is is the one I have. To my eye’s it’s an almost black that glides on seamlessly and won’t budge until you take it off.

Lash Dance (£24) is the brilliant name of the mascara and it’s a really creamy formula that thickens and extends lashes very well. It also includes conditioning waxes to hydrate and prevent breakage which is really important to me – I avoid mascaras that make my lashes crispy at all costs. On me, the mascara lasts the day without drooping and flaking off.

Lastly, the Tainted Lip Stain (£24) has been launched in two new shades that are dense in colour and matt in finish. I much prefer the previous Lip Stain shades (I even included them in my fav’s of 2016 post) as they’re more natural looking and less effort to wear.  Of the new shades, I have Mad Heat, a blue-toned red, which went on easily (for such a dark colour) and didn’t bleed. It also didn’t feel dry on the lips in the slightest and gave a deep and even stain that lasted a long time after the original coating wore away.

Smith & Cult is available as Cult Beauty, Net-a-Porter, and Beauty Bay.