We test make-up ranges from fashion stores… but which comes out on top?
Our high street heroes have been styling us with bargain outfits for years, and now they’re set to take care of our faces too by jumping on the beauty bandwagon
OUR high street heroes have been styling us with bargain outfits for years – and now they’re set to take care of our faces too by jumping on the beauty bandwagon.
All hail the fashion make-up ranges selling out in top clothing stores across the country.
Asos announced its new own-brand face and body range this season, making us think it’s about time to re-consider where we buy our beauty. But which shops show they can do style and glamour and which fall short?
Celebrity make-up artist Carly Hobbs puts make-up ranges from M&S, Topshop, H&M, Primark and New Look to the test for the Fabulous Daily face-off, rating each product out of five.
Best for brows: H&M
THIS mid-range fashion make-up fix is the Cara Delevingne of our line-up – it’s brow-tastic.
It gives a less-is-more style-up in general, but you will need quite a lot of these products to make them work.
SHOPPING LIST
The most delicate of all the bases in this line-up. Great if you have near-perfect skin. 2/5
Highlighter in Sunlit Gold, £9.99: Looks like it’s been made with little flecks of sunshine and so it is dreamy for using in the inner eye corners to make peepers pop. 4/5
A strong shade, and once on, it won’t budge, so be careful where you swipe it. 2/5
Best Curl Blend Mascara, £8.99: This is all about the cutest, bendiest wand that really rolls over the lashes to create a nice curve. 3/5
The beauty gift for women who need to up their game when it comes to brows, especially if they went down that Nineties plucking route. 5/5
Lipstick Pencil in Rendezvous, £4.99: A muted wine colour that is ideal for chilly autumn days. Go bold and reapply every few hours. 4/5
Fashion face total: £46.94
Best for highlighter: New Look
IF you are a fan of the natural look, this is the range for you.
Base-wise, it is the most matt of all the foundations – ideal if you have oily skin or if you are prone to break-outs.
It is a strong beauty game from the lashes, bronzing contour stick, lip tint and brow gel.
However, the three-tone strobe palette is the standout product. It lights all the high points of the face and you only really notice it as you move.
SHOPPING LIST
Easy to blend on, nice finish but can look flat so don’t skip the highlighter. 4/5
Foundation & Contour Stick, £4.99: Makes a mean bronzer and cheek bone definer rather than a base, so use sparingly. 3/5
Packs one pretty, sheeny punch. Sweep a fan brush over all three shades for the best effect. 5/5
High Impact Mascara, £5.99: Full of lash goodness however many coats. 4/5
Brush On Brow Fibre, £4.99: Does its job quickly, but you will need to take your time to build brows right up. 3/5
Comes out red but lasts surprisingly well for a balm. 4/5
Fashion face total: £32.94
Best for lips: Primark
BY far the cheapest of our bunch, but Primark’s range still packs a punch.
The best in show here costs less than a quid.
For the best lippy results, pout then apply, relaxing then patting the red colour into the outer edges.
SHOPPING LIST
Ticks all your coverage boxes. You may need a few layers, buffing well in between each. 2/5
Stays up as long as you. It covers lashes evenly. 3/5
This intense pigmentation also means it makes a mean eyeshadow. 4/5
PS Bronze Stick, £1.50: Needs a lot of blending but gives nice effect. 2/5
PS Brow Pencil, £1: Tames unruly eyebrow hairs and adds detail when sharp. 3/5
PS Lustre Lipstick in Scarlet, 90p: Looks as good as lippy that costs 20 times the price. 5/5
Fashion face total: £11.90
Best for bronzer: Topshop
THIS range is used backstage at Topshop’s fashion week shows and is a huge hit with bloggers and celebs. For a bronzer that creates good contours and blends well, the Mohawk can’t be beaten.
SHOPPING LIST
Air Cushion Skin Perfector in 2.0, £12: Makes your skin look ace while letting complexions breathe. 4/5
Glow Liquid Highlighter in Blaze, £12.50: Perfectly pigmented and easy to tap into place. Goes on well. 5/5
Defines and sculpts as soon as it hits the skin. Use around the whole eye as a bronzed shadow. 5/5
Volumises and lengthens in a flash but watch out for the thick formula. 3/5
Brow Gel in Form, £8.50: Gives brows lift, but sets quickly so work fast. 5/5
The orangey-red hue is ideal for a day time statement pout. 4/5
Fashion face total: £60
Best for lashes: M&S
FANCY, rose-gold packaging plus a celebrity-infused sparkle, thanks to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s input, this face is high-end with emphasis on lashes. The lengthening mascara is glossy without clumping. This is the costliest fashion offering but is worth it.
SHOPPING LIST
Autograph Illuminating Touch Radiance Foundation, £12.50: Silky, smooth and goes on sheer, allowing you to build a medium coverage. 4/5
Rosie For Autograph Highlighter Powder, £18: Loose and luminous, this pretty powder gives a delicate glow but it is messy. 3/5
A truly sun-kissed colour, gradually swirl this up into the hollows of the cheeks and use as an eyeshadow. 3/5
Autograph Never Ending Lashes Lengthening Mascara in Black, £10: A few layers give a hassle-free false lash look. 5/5
Rosie For Autograph Eyebrow Pencil in Natural Brown, £10: A double-ended delight, the pencil is soft and realistic in colour. The brush end adds brow volume. 4/5
Slicks on at super speed and allows for a few glasses of wine before another application is needed. 4/5
Fashion face total: £82.50
