More From the Natural Collection

With so many beauty releases in addition to my ever growing stash I often find myself turning away and avoiding the Boots make up aisles for risk of spending my rent money. That said I do keep lingering a little longer over the Boots Natural Collection* display because for £1.99 an item and from experience some hidden gems I could be tempted to part with cash.

Before I started buying more products to share with you I think it makes more sense to talk about the recent items I was sent by Natural Collection* causing my lingering desire to part with more cash. 

At the end of 2016 Natural Collection joined the brow party and added a selection of products for your to dabble with. There is a Brow Pencil*, Brow Kit* and Brow Gel* all at that £1.99 price point, so did we have any high dupes here? The first thing you'll notice is that they are all shades of brown and whilst I can just about manage with the Medium Brown Brow Gel* that's as someone with dark browns so if you're a blonde or fair you may struggle. The Brow Pencil, again in Medium Brown is one I can work with although I prefer the newer brow wiz styles these days. The Brow Kit* really reminds me of the sort of product I used in my younger days with its wax and powder duo and again whilst I'm more about pomades, brow wiz and the like these days it is a nice product to play with but only if you're in the brunette play field. Unfortunately the only real hit from these products is the Brow Gel* playing to my lazy love of such products that I can sweep into brows and go without too much attention to detail. The wand is a little larger than I would like and it is very pigmented and cream so you do need to be cautious when applying but thanks to it's coverage it gives a fuller brow that I would usually only achieve with multiple products. Brow gels are well known for drying out quickly so if you're finding yourself spending out more thank you would like this is handy in a pinch before pay day or to be used on days when you're not facing anyone other than the supermarket staff.

Also new from Natural Collection was their Highlighter Sticks* available in three shades; rose, copper and coral glow. Coral Glow has become a favourite and one I'm using often when I want a flush of colour and a little highlight without needing another product. As you can see from the swatches they are pigmented but a little thick so you might want to play with application methods that suit you. The copper and rose shades haven't worked for me, the latter being as you will know from reading my Wet n Wild review recently that I just can't get on board with highlighting sticks. 

Finally were some regular items from their line I was able to try. If you remember Lancome Juicy Tubes and miss them you might want to check out Natural Collection Tinted Lip Balms*. These are a little sticky as you would expect and certainly only provide a tint but if that's your thing you might want to check them out.

Natural Collection Nail Colours* are also only £1.99 so if you need something in a hurry these aren't bad to look at. I didn't test for very long I must confess and was happy that there was no instant chipping. If you like to try different colours out regularly then these might be for you rather than spending twice as much on alternatives.

Finally the Natural Collection Water Guard Mascara* which was a little too dry and didn't really do much to my lashes other than enhance their natural appearance but not in a 'I have long fluttery lashes' natural way. Of course if like me you've arrived at work, looked in the mirror and realised you forgot to apply mascara then it'd be worth popping to Boots and picking this up to cover you for the day but it's nothing something I would seek out.

Since my first experience with Natural Collection I now remain a little bit baffled by the brand and who they are marketing at. On that first use I thought I had it sussed, natural looking, no nonsense affordable make up but I assume for their price point they'll appeal to younger girls and adding highlighters and brow gels to the line up they're trying to compete with other brands but why such a limited colour range?

What are your thoughts on the Natural Collection brand?

*this post contains press samples and / or affiliate links

May 2016 | Beauty Favourites

Another month passes and it seems to have gone by so quickly that my favourites have been more of a case of products I could reach for without thinking about them. So much so that in my hungover state yesterday I have picked out two products that featured in last month's favourites post! You'll also see an empties post later this week that shows how I'm still working my through my stash to streamline it rather than add to it.

I am dreadful at dragging out mascara's far long than necessary and as I try to whittle them down I've rediscovered Essence's I Love Extreme Mascara. I forgot how much I love this, long, thick and voluminous lashes appear after a few coats of this high street favourite. I know Essence have an extensive range of mascara's so I think I need to visit a counter and investigate some more of their offerings. And stock up on another of these.

During one of my spring clean sessions last year I put aside a make up bag of 'Summer' nail polishes which I rediscovered hunting through a cupboard. Straight away I reached for Barry M nail polish in Greenberry and my toe nails were painted. I've been relying on my nudes and reds on nails a lot lately so it was nice to find something a little more fun to play with.

Revlon lip products have have been my go to of late, similar colours but very different formula. The Revlon Lip Lacquer in Rose Quartz compliments any outfit when I want a glossy finish. For days when I want to play things down a little it's Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Colour in Devotion. Once an almost every day red lip wearer I'm enjoying changing things up a little with these two favourites.

Blogging allows me to test a lot of skincare so I love it when I can settle with a product long enough that it's used in it's entirety. F.O.Y Moisturising Day Cream* has been a surprise hit with me. Initially judging the packaging and thinking it was 'nothing special' I can only say that my skin has loved this moisturiser and I feel like my skin is really good shape at the moment. I find that my make up applies evenly and skin isn't crying out for hydration. If further prove that I was a fan of this product is need, often I'll rotate products as I get bored but it wasn't the case here.

Finally the two base products I've been reaching for on a daily basis, a second appearance for Bourjois Radiance Reveal Concealer and Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser*. Really I should've included the Natural Collection Bronzer* too as its those three products and the aforementioned mascara and lipsticks that allow me to get out of the door in the mornings, quickly and with minimal effort.

You can read a full review of the Natural Collection range but in short this is a product that once again proved my preconceived ideas wrong. I cannot believe for £1.99 I have found a product that rivals my 'holy grail' Chanel Healthy Glow Fluid and again, the fact that I haven't immediately swapped out after testing and am reaching for it daily shows that it's a product I'll be using again and again.

What have you been loving this month?

*this post contains press samples

Natural Collection Beauty Review

Natural Collection, despite 25 years on the shelves of Boots seems to be very much an underrated and overlooked brand. Even in today's beauty blogging peak it's a brand you don't often hear crop up, compared to the others such as Seventeen and No 7. I vaguely remember seeing one of the eyeshadow colours recently featured on one or two blogs being a great transition shade but otherwise it's tumbleweed.

I too haven't given the Natural Collection range so much as cursory glance in store as in honesty it's not the most enticing of brands with it's simple packaging and its 'natural' appearance, is it perhaps too boring for today's beauty fans? This said I did used to use their clear mascara for my eyebrows 'back in the day'.

Luckily for me Boots got in touch and asked if I'd like to try some products from the range and I thought it was a great opportunity to see if I was missing out on Natural Collections offering or was it perhaps right that they have been so overlooked?

When I first glanced inside the box of Natural Collection products I made some typical judgements. The packaging isn't exciting inoffensive although there's something about the products that's a little beige. This in itself is a ridiculous statement as I'm hardly rocking blue lips and bright pink eyeshadow on a regular basis.

I have to say I need to eat my words and learn not to judge a book by it's cover because I've been enjoying the products I've been able to test. Did anyone else know that everything in the range is priced at £1.99. That's amazing. I think the thing that is missed with Natural Collection is that they're all about creating a natural make up look by keeping things simple. Even us beauty bloggers struggle wondering is it bronzing or contouring and what the difference between highlighting and strobing is?

First up is the Natural Collection Tinted Moisturiser* which is available in 3 shades; Natural, Fair and Beige. I have Natural. Packaging is a clear tube, with the simple Natural Collection Daisy, perfect for travel and knowing how much product you have left. Natural Collection say it will give your face 'a natural glow and sheer coverage' and for those who want to look natural and not overly made up. I was surprised at how thick the tinted moisturiser was and actually found I was wiping more off my hand than needing for my face so I imagine this tube will last some time. In texture it reminded me surprisingly of my favourite Make Up Forever HD Foundation. For me I found it applied seamlessly and was a fuller coverage than I expected although medium, one of those your skin but better. In fact I was quite impressed and once I went in with my concealer I felt like I had a normal base on. I've been wearing this daily and find it's perfect for 'every day' and saves some of my more affordable foundations whilst not compromising on quality and appearance.

It wore well throughout the day and it was only a little shine that came through towards the of the day. Thankfully I had Natural Collection Pressed Powder* in Warm to hand. I did use this once or twice to set my concealer and I do prefer my Chanel Les Beiges but this is a worthy and far more affordable alternative. Available in three shades; warm, neutral and cool you this is such a silky powder and not at all what I expected. If you're a fan of Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder and want to find something even cheaper than that check your Natural Collection counter.

Again there were more pre-conceived ideas with Natural Collection Suntint Bronzing Powder* in the shade Suntint. Drugstore bronzers are often known to be on the orange side and filled with sparkle and it is true to say there is a glint to Natural Collection's offering hence my assumption I wouldn't like it. It's certainly not one for contouring as such but as I applied it made a lovely bronze look and I can forgo wearing blusher for the more natural look that Natural Collection are aiming for.

Finally is the Natural Collection Blushed Cheers Blusher* in Pink Cloud which is a pretty inoffensive pink to wear. I'm something of a blush addict so I'm not sure it's going to compete with those I favour, nor is it swaying me from bronzing powder at the moment but that is more personal preference than issue with the product.

Without a doubt, and if were not obvious, my two favourite products are the Tinted Moisturiser and Bronzing Powder which will definitely remain in my make up collection. I'm enjoying the ease of applying, not having to reach for multiple bronzers and blushes as I really like the warmth the blusher gives me.

There's very little we can get for £1.99 these days and the fact that there is this unsung brand on our doorstep I'm kicking myself. I think I might have to explore the Natural Collection stand next time I'm in Boots and see what other gems I can find.

Have you ever used Natural Collection cosmetics?

*this post contains press samples