H&M Beauty Overview

Have you heard? H&M Beauty is now in stores. And they’re all affordable. Is this for real?!

YES!

With products in every line from nail polish to eye liner and prices from $7.99, $12.99 and $14.99, there’s something for everyone while still staying on budget enough to get that latte you’ve been craving! So, now that we’ve established they’re great for our wallet… are they just another cheap makeup brand we’re going to toss aside? Luckily, I’ve done all of the hard work for you…

Equipped with on-trend colours as well as your favourite classic shades, these products look super sleek in the chic black and white packaging. These palettes are sure to make any minimalist swoon at the sight of them. The new beauty department at H&M Beauty includes different ways to boost your personal style, from natural to dramatic. H&M Beauty features makeup, body care, nail polish and hair styling tools and products perfect for great hair days – everyday.

When I first swatched my Eye Colour Palette in Smoky Nudes (7g at $12.99 CAD and Made in China), I noticed that the colour payoff was pretty nice for the darker colours. Although I had to go over the same spot a couple times, the pigmentation was definitely there. Enclosed in the box included the Smoky Nudes palette with 9 shades and a mirror as well as a mini booklet with 3 different looks created by H&M make-up artists. I would personally use this palette for a daytime smoky look, but these versatile shades can take you from natural, classic or night looks in as little as 2 minutes!

While I loved the swatches on my arm (taken indoors under fluorescent light), they didn’t translate as nicely on my eyelids. The powdery formula made for a messy application with fallout city. After applying my eyeshadows, I had to take an additional brush to carefully dust off my cheekbones as all of the glitter had fallen. This was so unfortunate since I really wanted to like the palette after swatching! The colours looked super dreamy.

The Pure Radiance Powder Blusher claims to provide sheer coverage as well as a luminous finish. I got the shade Apricot (5g at $12.99 and Made in Italy) and was slightly disappointed to see that there was no mirror at the back of the compact. Although the packaging was disappointing, the application and finish was really nice! I’d have to say that this is my favourite makeup find from H&M Beauty.

Providing shine control with a cashmere finish, the True Matte Finishing Powder in Warm Beige (9g at $12.99 and Made in Italy) is just the right size to throw in your purse or clutch for the night. At just a half an inch at the thickest part of the compact, it’s small enough to carry around and stay matte all night. I have fairly oily skin and although this powder kept me quite matte after application, it didn’t last for more than a couple hours.

Cream Lip Colour in Candy Apple (3.5g at $12.99 and Made in Italy) gives me that Old Hollywood feeling because of the white and gold packaging. It just looks so luxe! First worn on my lips, it has a glossy, smooth application which is super dreamy. Unfortunately enough, since my lips are always perpetually chapped, the formula sinks into the creases in my lips which makes for an uneven finish.

Last but not least, the H&M nail polish in December Dawn (8mL at $6.99 and Made in Sweden). With a nice pearly white iridescent finish, the polish shines both in direct sunlight and indoors. The flat brush definitely helps and it made application feel like a dream! Although the shade looks to me as more of a top coat, the polish made for a pretty finish and may be something someone could wear as a nude. I applied 3 coats because I wanted extra shimmer, but you can make it as sheer or opaque as you want!

Overall, I like that H&M came up with their own beauty line, but their eye shadows and lipsticks fell short from my expectations. The first picture has just a light foundation as a base on my skin in daylight with the True Matte Finishing Powder in Warm Beige applied overtop. It has a nice powder finish and definitely gives that matte look.

The Pure Radiance Powder Blusher in Apricot applied quite nicely as it gives a subtle hint of showing up on my skin. It looks very natural and this is applied on a clean base with just foundation and the True Matte Finishing Powder in Warm Beige.

Combining all of these looks together, the lipstick is much brighter than what I would usually wear as it is more on the orange-red side of the spectrum whereas I like to wear more blue-reds. Although I had applied a creamy base of lip balm, the lipstick still settles into the cracks of my lips which didn’t make for a smooth finish. Although the application was nice, my extremely dry lips weren’t able to accept the formula.

In terms of the eyeshadow, the fallout of the glitter is unreal! I had glitter from my eyeshadow on my cheeks all day and it did not make for a cute look.

The H&M Beauty line does have some hopeful finds, whereas some were not for me. Have you tried the new H&M Beauty line? Let me know what you think!