As someone who writes about beauty products professionally, I've put countless makeup collections to the test – spanning luxury to more affordable options – yet none has left quite the same impression at such a reasonable price as Primark. Whilst the high street chain is primarily recognised for its fashion and cheerful yet wallet-friendly homeware, it also stocks an array of beauty products ranging from skincare to cosmetics.
Several of my go-to products that I use daily without exception come from the retailer, including their matte lipstick in Naked Flame, which I've been using for years and regularly receive compliments about when wearing it. Priced at just £1.50, it's an absolute bargain and I've yet to discover a more expensive alternative that matches it.
I'm equally enthusiastic about their £3 Loose Baking Powder, the £5 Prep + Perfect Primer, and the £2 Brow Sketch. The £1.50 PS... Blush High Pigment Blusher has recently joined my collection and I'm already a firm believer.
You can picture my delight, then, when I learnt that Primark has introduced a new Pro collection, delivering more sophisticated formulations and stylish packaging to our cosmetics bags whilst remaining budget-conscious. Featuring everything from eyeshadow palettes and mascaras to bronzer, powder, highlighter and lip items, shoppers can essentially create a complete everyday makeup collection for less than the cost of a takeaway meal.
Among the most notable items is the £4 PS... Pro Blush in a delicate pink shade. Based on the performance of Primark's previous blushers, customers can anticipate a richly-pigmented formula that seamlessly blends into the complexion. Having sampled one of Primark's earlier cream bronzers myself, I'm particularly pleased to discover a fresh PS... Pro Cream Bronzer in the collection.
Whilst I appreciated the texture of the previous cream bronzer, I found the shade too pale for my fake-tanned complexion, making me delighted that the £5 PS... Pro version offers two shade choices. In my experience, it rivals other high-end cream bronzers that retail for up to £50, reports OK!
I'll certainly be picking up the PS... Pro Primer, which promises to provide grip without any sticky residue. The Prep + Perfect Primer I adore delivers that slightly tacky sensation that holds makeup in place without leaving an unpleasant film on the skin, so I'm optimistic the new Pro version will quickly become a daily staple.
Additional high street shops with their own beauty collections include H&M, where customers can explore perfumes, mascara, nail varnish and beyond. M&S has also established a reputation for its Discover fragrance collection, which provides luxurious-smelling scents at a fraction of the cost of designer fragrances.
Returning to Primark, one of the items from the PS...Pro range that has me most enthused is the Matte Lipstick. I'd likely choose the versatile brown or plum tones. For those concerned about dryness with matte formulas, I can confidently report that my existing Primark matte lipsticks remain comfortable throughout the year.
Additionally, the new collection features a £3.50 Shimmer Lip Oil available in pale pink or gold shades, suitable for wearing solo or layered over lipstick. For the eyes, there's the PS...Pro Volumising Lash Mascara, priced at £4. Delivering fuller, fanned-out lashes, there's also a lengthening variant that provides lift and definition for £4.50.
One of my pet peeves with eyeshadow palettes is that they frequently include shades that rarely see use. That said, I'm particularly taken with the £5 PS... Pro Eyeshadow Palette, which features 12 neutral tones without a single wasted colour, and it's conveniently sized for travel.
Those preferring a swift sweep of colour without carrying a bulky palette might want to explore the PS... Pro Eyeshadow Sticks, which are offered in various shades from practical browns to festive gold, pink and purple options. Whilst I'm thoroughly enthusiastic about this new release, I'd welcome seeing expanded colour selections in the bronzer, eyeshadow stick and lip product lines, as I feel the current choices are somewhat restricted, and I'd also appreciate seeing several new foundation shades introduced across a broader spectrum.
For anyone seeking new makeup brushes, the collection delivers with the £10 Black 5-Piece PS...Pro Makeup Brush Set, which appears considerably more luxurious than its modest price suggests, working out at just £2 per brush. With dense bristles where required and gentler edges elsewhere, they deliver flawless blending without breaking the bank.
It's no secret that professional manicures can be costly these days, but those after a quick solution can opt for the salon-quality PS... Pro Gel Effect French Tip Short Square False Nails, priced at £3.50 – approximately a tenth of what you'd pay at a nail bar. Beauty enthusiasts who prefer nail art might instead be drawn to the spring-inspired PS... Pro Gel Effect Pointed False Nails, which showcase an attractive floral pattern.
