Beauty fans will know all too well that restocking your makeup bag can prove costly, from £30 foundations to £20 lipsticks and spenny eyeshadow palettes. However, Boots has recently relaunched one of their most iconic, affordable brands that means you’ll be able to top up your kit for a fraction of the price of high-end, and even other drugstore brands.
The health and beauty retailer has revamped and revived its own Natural Collection range, much to the delight of millennials who remember it from the first time around. But looking at emerging trends, it’s set to be just as coveted by beauty buffs in 2024 as it was some 30 years ago.
Boots recently launched its fourth annual beauty report, which unveils ‘Bio-Beauty’ as a leading trend for 2024. It suggests that shoppers are leaning into gentle, nature-powered products and brands like Natural Collection which is now crafted with over 90% natural origin ingredients.
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What’s more is that Boots has been approved by Cruelty Free International’s Leaping Bunny programme across its own-brand cosmetics and personal care range, including Natural Collection.
But perhaps the most exciting part is that Natural Collection seems to have remained unscathed by inflation, with each and every product priced at £5 or below. Plus Advantage Card holders can enjoy 10 per cent off the full range, in-store and online, making them even cheaper.
Many have previously said ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ – but is that the case with this natural beauty brand? I tried out a selection of the new launches and created a full face for under £60 – and in the process, found the most blendable concealer, a lip liner that gives MAC a run for its money, and a somewhat divisive mascara. Here’s what I thought of the range:
There are three Natural Collection primers to choose from, including shine control, illuminating and blurring, so you can personalise your beauty routine for the desired finish. Each one of them comes out white, but each has a distinct texture and finish on the skin, with the blurring primer being my favourite. Made with chamomile extract, the primer feels super soft and smoothing like Smashbox’s discontinued photo finish or Benefit’s Porefessional, and does have a subtle blurring effect across more textured areas like my nose and forehead, while allows for a much smoother application of other base products.
I typically use a brightening concealer, but decided to go for the 2N shade in the £4 Natural Collection concealer to help disguise my dark under eyes, and it was a surprisingly good match. The creamy consistency feels really light on the skin and I was stunned at how blendable it was, effortlessly melting into my skin without sinking into any creases. It offers a light to medium coverage for a natural look – so natural in fact it was practically undetectable. I’d have been happy to go out with just a bit of this concealer over any blemishes as a small amount made a huge difference to making me look more awake.
Skin tints and serum foundations are all the rage this year, with the likes of Revolution’s Skin Silk leading the charge of drugstore options – but enter Natural Collection Skin Tint at £5 , providing a budget-friendly option for price conscious beauty fans. Although a little thicker than some of the other skin tints on the market, it’s still got that same ultra-hydrating formula that leaves you with a healthy-looking complexion and dewy finish. While it’s not one I’d use for full days out or special occasions, it’s definitely a great choice for everyday wear, and effectively covers any redness and blemishes without being heavy or cakey on the skin. They don’t call it Natural Collection for nothing.
As for the Natural Collection Setting Powder, I’ve definitely used better. It’s a lightweight powder but even the translucent option has a bit of colour to it, which I feel does show when applied. I much prefer the likes of Trigwell Cosmetics Velvet Setting Powder which is much more sheer. That said, the Natural Collection one does eliminate any shine from the areas you don’t want it, such as the t-zone.
I usually like to use cream bronzing, blush and highlighter products, with Refy being by go-to for these types of products, however, at £3 each, the Natural Collection range is really impressive for the price. The bronzer and highlighter did smash in transit, which suggests that perhaps the powder products are a little bit fragile, but it’s nothing a little bit of kitchen towel and pressure couldn’t fix. The bronzer comes in six shades, with the lightest, Marzipan, being perfect for my paler complexion. It’s made with meadowfoam seed oil and natural mica which will give you that healthy looking glow while feeling silky on the skin.
The same goes for the blusher , although this only comes in three shades, as does the highlighter – which really packs a punch in terms of pigment. One shopper even suggested it could give influencer-loved Rare Beauty a run for its money, commenting: “Not even kidding – this highlighter creates the most beautiful iridescent shine on my face. I bought the pink one yesterday and it reminds me so much of my Rare Beauty powder highlighter, though this one gives a slightly more white (and perhaps even prettier) shine. I am genuinely blown away by this product! Such a great find.”
The Natural Collection tinted brow gel has been my ride or die brow product for the last eight years, and sadly, it’s being discontinued. I purchased 34 of them before they’re gone for good, in order to give me the opportunity to find another. Replacing it in the new range is the Natural Collection Clear Mascara and Brow Gel, which comes in at £3. The clear multipurpose gel formula is perfect for lashes and brows, designed to keep them in place to create that natural look. It’s got a great brush applicator for precision, and while it works well on my freshly-laminated brows, I don’t think the hold is strong enough for unruly or coarse hair, and I’m going to terribly miss the tinted version.
In lieu of the tinted gel, I tried out the Natural Collection Brow Pencil, which definitely helped me fill in any sparse areas and define my arch, but my naturally white brows definitely need a gel to coat them, so for now, I’ll go back to using the Refy brow tint.
One of the products Natural Collection has always been known for is its mono eyeshadows, and they’re back as part of its relaunch. Coming in at £2.50 each, this gives shoppers the chance to build their own palette of complementary shades that are ideal for everyday wear. There are currently 12 neutral shades to choose from, and I find getting a lighter base shade, mid-tone contour colour and a darker shade for smokey evening looks is the ultimate combo for creating a range of wearable looks.
The most divisive of the products has to be the Natural Collection Lengthening Mascara, which is a ‘long lasting lengthening mascara’ with a comb applicator. I really enjoy these types of mascara brushes, but it’s definitely caused some controversy in the reviews. One said: “I was excited to receive this as I was on my last one from the old stock but I was so very disappointed to see that once I had opened it you’ve changed the brush, why?? I hate those plastic type brushes and it’s also got a curve in it too, another pet hate of mine. I’ve worn this mascara for years and years and now I’ll have to look for an alternative- you’ve lost a fan”
But another absolutely loved it, writing: “I bought this mascara in Brown on a whim today and oh my goodness, it’s actually amazing. My lashes are so long and it’s a really good brush too. Worth 3 times the price!”
For me, the formula and brush is great and does a good job at catching every hair, however, I’m not a fan of the packaging, and remain loyal to the £4 Extreme Extension Lengthening Mascara from 17 , which I feel is the best on the market under £5.
Onto lips I love the £2.50 Natural Collection Lip Liner, which has a really creamy texture and defines beautifully. The shade spice is similar, albeit a little lighter than MAC’s liner of the same name, while the range of £3.50 lipsticks are really moisturising and silky thanks to the addition of coconut and vegetable oil.
And to keep it all locked in place, I finished my routine with the Natural Collection Prep & Set Spray , which is really refreshing and gives an overall satin finish to the skin. It’s a breathable spray also made with chamomile extract, and helps to keep makeup in place all day.
Overall, Natural Collection’s relaunch is a really exciting one, both for loyal users of the brand like myself, and for those about to discover it for the first time. Among the standout products for me are the primer, concealer, and lip liner, which rival higher-end brands in terms of performance and texture. While some products like the setting powder and mascara do have some much more affordable competitors. While the range may be basic, they’re incredibly reliable and cost-effective.
For me, it’s really important that stores like Boots offer a tiered price range when it comes to makeup to allow beauty to be accessible and affordable for all, with brands like Elf and 17 all offering similarly low price points. But not only are the Natural Collection products wildly inexpensive, they’re effective too, perfect for anyone looking to achieve the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, for younger wearers looking for sensitive skin-friendly products that offer a natural finish, and people of all ages looking to feel more confident in their own skin.
More affordable beauty brands can be found at Lookfantastic.