WHENEVER I hear a make-up brand is relaunching, it sends shivers down my spine.
Inevitably, there’s going to be people who aren’t happy with the changes made, and sometimes, I’m one of them.
However, when I found out Boots’ Natural Collection was getting a much-deserved glow-up last month, my overriding emotion was excitement.
It’s a brand I loved as a teen – its green concealer single-handedly got me into school during the worst of my acne years – but in all honesty, I hadn’t thought about it, nevermind bought a product from the range, in half a decade.
If the new packaging has you worried there’s a new price point to contend with, fear not, as all of the products are still £5 and under, and as well as the make-up that’s just launched, there’s skincare and bodycare on the way, too!
I’ve tried all 20-plus new products, and these are my favourites.
Natural Collection Setting Powder, £4
Starting strong, theSetting Powder is my absolute standout product from the new collection.
It’s really hard to find setting powders on the high street that aren’t overly drying.
The majority I’ve tried leave my skin looking dusty and leave a ghostly white cast behind – but not this one.
It’s really fine and goes on like silk, taking away shine without settling into fine lines or gathering around dry areas like my nose and mouth.
I’ve got the translucent shade, but it also comes in two tinted versions, which will provide a little coverage as well as the oil-control benefits.
I can honestly say it’s replaced the high-end setting powder I was using, and costs 10 times less.
Natural Collection Blusher, £3
The first time I used this, I may have accidentally ended up looking slightly clown-ish – but that just goes to show how intensely pigmented the powder is.
I usually reach for cream cheek products, so I was definitely sceptical over whether this would match up to my go-to – but I needn’t have worried.
Once I worked out less is more, I found the powder was easy to blend out, and the Honeysuckle shade will be perfect for summer.
By the end of the day, my blush has usually disappeared, but I’m happy to report this was still clearly visible on the top of my cheeks.
Natural Collection Bronzer, £3
Where the blusher is ultra-pigmented, the bronzer caught me by surprise in how sheer it is.
That’s not a negative, though – it means it’s much harder to overdo it and end up the colour of a satsuma.
I did use the lightest shade – Marzipan– so I can imagine some of the darker shades would have a greater colour payoff, but as someone with incredibly pale skin, it’s brilliant to see a bronzer on the high street that caters for multiple tones.
The powder formula effortlessly blends out so you don’t end up with chunky lines, and is just as easy to layer up if you want a deeper colour.
There are six shades to choose from, all of which are warm toned, so will add a sun-kissed glow to skin – although it does mean you can’t multitask and use them as a contour powder.
If anyone at Boots is listening – contour next, please!
BEST OF THE REST
Beauty Editor Tara Ledden tried a full face of Natural Collection make-up, here's what she thought of the rest of the range...
Natural Collection Clear Mascara and Brow Gel, £3– you get a decent amount of product for the price, and the brush is nice and small for precision, but the gel didn’t provide enough hold for my stubborn brow hairs
Natural Collection Eyeshadow, £2.50– is a great no-frills eye shadow, and you’d be hard pressed to find something better for the price, but the shade range is quite limited to neutral hues.
Natural Collection Skin Tint, £5– the coverage is extremely sheer, which isn’t what I usually opt for and I found myself over-compensating with concealer to amp up the coverage, but if you like a barely there finish, it’s a lovely creamy formula that feels hydrating.
Natural Collection Brow Pencil, £3– blends really easily, so you don’t need to worry about over-doing it, but it’s quite a thick pencil so you can’t get hairlike strokes.
Natural Collection Lipstick, £3.50
If you’re expecting a vibrant, matte lipstick from the range, you’re going to be disappointed.
After all, with ‘natural’ in the title, it makes sense that all of the formulas and shades in the collection are geared towards a ‘you but better’ finish, and the lipstick is no different.
The creamy formula is more reminiscent of a tinted lip balm that deposits a noticeable but sheer level of colour, rather than a full-coverage dose.
It’s not scented – which is a relief, as most high-street lipsticks smell as pungent as perfume – and the colour wears off evenly so you don’t end up with any crusty areas.
There is also a dedicated tinted lip balm in the range, but the lipstick is so nourishing and comfortable to wear, I don’t think the balm is a necessary addition to your make-up bag.
Natural Collection Lengthening Mascara, £3
This is potentially the most controversial pick.
Judging by thereviews online, some people are not happy with the formula change for this mascara.
It’s been far too long for me to remember what the old formula was like, so I can’t tell you what’s changed, but as far as I’m concerned, this is the perfect everyday mascara.
The wand is chunky but short, which makes it easy to control and allows me to get right to the base of my lashes – and also means I don’t end up with mascara all over my eyelid.
The spikey rubber bristles catch every single eyelash and separates them, so there’s no clumping whatsoever.
As the name suggests, lengthening is the main benefit, so it doesn’t really add volume or hold a curl, but that’s not something I look for on a day to day basis.