MILLENNIALS ASSEMBLE – BOOTS’ NATURAL COLLECTION IS BACK AND OUR REVIEW IS IN

Certain beauty buys have the powerful ability to conjure up many a memory, transporting us back to a particular time in our lives. Whether it’s the iconic Dream Matte Mousse (concealer lips, anyone?) or a slick of Heather Shimmer (who doesn’t want to sport a purple pout?) there’s still at least something to be said for the beauty brands of our youth. Take the 2022 relaunch of 17 for starters, which mixed the allure of nostalgia with more modern (and frankly, better) formulations. The reception was positive, and TikTok creators waxed lyrical about the new, better iterations of the products. Perhaps, then, it was the success of 17 that led Boots to bring back another of their much-loved own brands– the iconic Natural Collection.

If you’re anything like me, Natural Collection may conjure memories of foundation stuffed into pencil cases, and creamy, shimmery lipsticks hastily applied on the school bus. The formulations? Well, let’s be real. They weren’t great. But they were cheap. Good news though, as while the products have been reinvented since their launch in 1988, the price point is still very much intact - everything is £5 and under, which, in an industry where hefty price tags are very much the norm, is rather refreshing stuff. And where things get really good? In the products themselves.

Firstly, this new, souped-up Natural Collection is a vast one – there’s over 100 new cosmetics lines, including glow-giving complexion products, dewy lip balms and glosses, and wearable eye shadows and mascaras. In a ‘renewed commitment to make beauty simple, sustainable and affordable,' every single product is eco-conscious. Not only is all product packaging fully recyclable and made from a minimum of 30% recycled materials, but its all vegan and cruelty-free too. Ingredient transparency is also at the forefront of its new formulations – each product features a decoded list of ingredients with a description and outline of its function allowing customers to shop more knowledgeably and confidently.

Of course, on paper, this is all impressive stuff. But how is it really? Can a full face of the new Natural Collection really impress a beauty editor? Here, I've put some of the range to the test.

Shop: The New Boots Natural Collection

Overall rating

I’ve applied a full face of Natural Collection for the past two days. Admittedly, my make-up did need regular top-ups but if that's not something that bothers you then consider this eco-conscious range an satisfying option - especially when you consider its affordability.

Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Junior Beauty Editor. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism.