There's a first time for everything and I think Dior makeup can get slotted into that category. The crocodile nails don't count ;)

I'm not too sure how I managed to go without, but there are plenty of other brands I've yet to get my hands on -- namely Laura Mercier, Givenchy, Clarins and Cle de Peau. Give me some time and I might be able to conquer such a feat! [Insert sarcasm here].

Last week I visited my local Dior counter and had a makeup artist work their magic.

I have deep set eyes and not a lot of real estate on my eye lids, in order to create the appearance of having a bit more the makeup artist tempered light with dark. First he applied the new Diorshow Mono Eyeshadow in Nude from the lash line and stopped just above my crease; this served as the base. Then he focused on the outer corners of my eyes with Khol (a matte black) and Camouflage (khaki green). After blending the darker colours inwards and up for a halo-like effect, he finished with Ribbon as a way to highlight the inner-half of my eyes. With Morse Code-like precision, the makeup artist lined my eyes from corner to corner with the Diorshow Art Pen and painted my lashes with Diorshow Iconic Extreme mascara.

As for the rest of my face, he used Diorskin Nude in shade 22, Cameo; it's a lightweight foundation which provides decent coverage, yet feels like you're wearing nothing. Hence, the name. In order to inject some of the tan I had back into my skin, Diorskin Nude Tan in Sunlight was dusted onto my cheeks and forehead.

Unfortunately I didn't take note of what was used on my lips, but it was a combination of liner, lipstick and gloss.

With this visit I learned the art of shading, had some fun and took home some baubles to practice with ;)