Burberry. The highlight of every season at London Fashion Week, and now of my make up drawer too. I was aware that the British fashion power house did a beauty range, but I hadn’t really given it much thought. I was too busy coveting the fashion line, which my credit card can’t stretch to – silly really, because the beauty line I can afford.
Burberry beauty does everything from BB creams and full coverage foundations to super luxe lipsticks and very lightly tinted, glossy lip balms. It’s a very natural collection, particularly this season, which has a strong autumnal palette featuring pretty pink hues, right through to dark, berry tints. Somehow, the tones are just right for this time of year; even the Burberry Kisses lipstick in deep, vampy Oxblood is earthy – it left me feeling polished and a little mysterious, but not overdone or vixen-like. If it was a celebrity, it’d be Sienna Miller rather than Kylie Jenner; effortlessly cool yet totally polished, good old British style.
My box of Burberry goodies was jam packed, so it was difficult to choose my favourites; the Oxblood lippy was definitely top of the list (which is pretty insane, considering I don’t do lip colour), and the Burberry Cashmere Flawless Soft-Matte Foundation is just beautiful. It’s full coverage but very soft, almost like applying skincare rather than make up. Cashmere is the perfect description of this product; incredibly gentle but surprisingly robust, which is exactly what one needs at this time of year when skin needs an injection of life but also some TLC. (If you prefer something less obvious, the Fresh Glow B.B. Cream (SPF20) is gorgeous – very light and wearable but luminous, with a good amount of colour to even the skin tone. I now won’t use anything else for summer/winter sun holidays.)
Another favourite was the Face Contour pen. When used minimally in the hollow of the cheek with just a small amount of shimmer across the cheekbone to highlight, it’s rather striking. Mr Daydreamer commented (without prior encouragement), “You look pretty, very defined today.” I rest my case.
Also in my Burberry gift box was a nude eyeliner (Effortless Kohl Eyeliner in Stone), which, when applied inside the lower lash line, really lifts and brightens the eye; it has a slightly waxy texture so it works well as a highlighter inside the inner corner too – it’s a great staple product that is surprisingly versatile considering I’d never even considered using a nude eyeliner before. Another surprise was the Burberry First Kiss lip balm. It’s packaged like a lip gloss, in a tube with angled applicator and, admittedly, I instantly dismissed this product because I hate lip gloss. However, in the name of research, I tried it – and I’m glad I did because it feels and looks really natural on the lip, with no “Ah, my hair is stuck to my lips!” risk factor despite the sheer, shiny finish. The subtle tint adds some colour to my otherwise dull winter face, and let’s be honest, it looks prettier than my budget lip balm when pulling it out of my handbag to reapply (which I tend to do on the hour, every hour because I’m a weirdo).
I don’t often rave about beauty products, but I really do like the Burberry collection and I would highly recommend it to any age group. Just try one product and I guarantee you’ll like it; it’s a universally pleasing collection of great quality beauty staples that won’t let you down. If you’re a skin buff, you should definitely try the B.B. Cream, and give the contour pen a go – don’t worry, it’s hard to go wrong with this because it’s so easy to use and blends beautifully (in passing, it comes in a really neat little twist tube that hardly takes up any space in your make up bag – the sort of make up a Bond girl might carry), while lipstick lovers will be mega impressed by the moisturising qualities of the Burberry Kisses hydrating lipstick (there’s also Lip Velvet, but it has more of a matte finish and thus felt less nourishing).
All of the products are packaged beautifully; the cardboard boxes and metal cases are very luxurious (rich, thickly cut and heavy magnetic closures, respectively, often with the signature Burberry check as detail), but they aren’t pretentious or stuffy – the packaging is a reflection of the great quality products that are practical and wearable.
My final thought? That the Burberry beauty line is an extension of its fashion line – laid back glamour at its best.
Based on this review, I really want to go out and try the products as I am always on the lookout for good quality beauty make up that feel good to use
Hi Debbie,
Burberry’s make up is really nice and I’d highly recommend it. I’m definitely going to buy the BB cream and might try the cashmere foundation in a colour to suit my skin tone. If you’re quite pale, you have my sample. 🙂
The Oxblood lipstick is also to die for!
Christina x