H&M Lipstick in Raspberry Beret

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Last year H&M re-launched their makeup line on a massive scale (700 products). I already had a few makeup pieces from their old line that I liked so, it made me even more eager to try out and test a couple new pieces. Currently I have just five makeup related items from the new collection (two eyeshadow products, an eye shadow brush, one nail polish and a lipstick). Today I'll be just be talking about the lipstick - Raspberry Beret.

Currently, matte lipsticks are all the range and its easy to see why. The matte-r the lipstick the more pigmented the colour is, which is great for all those who have jumped over the "feeling insecure about pigmented lips" fence. Be Bold or Stay Home seems to be the mantra of the day and honestly I'm all for it.

Sure, sheer lips, glossy lips and even glittery creamy lips have their place but, there's something nice about wearing a bright bold lipstick. The way it clings to skin and usually lasts throughout the day without the attention and care that a slippery gloss might afford. Yet like all good things matte lipsticks do have some negatives i.e. they can be drying, settle into lip lines, cracking lips and flaking off during a meal. Yet thankfully, some mattes are more "moisturising" than others ...

Anyway ... when I arrived at H&M Makeup shelves there was so many lipstick shades and finishes to choose from, even I became slightly overwhelmed. Honestly, I had my eye on "Red Alert" which was out of stock (I asked) and still continues to be out of stock - its a matte dark red ... so I made do with my second favourite lipstick from the line - Raspberry Beret which in the grand scale of things turned out to better choice for me (well a girl can't always wear red).

Time for the Low Down

Style: H&M seems to have pulled out all the stops and made their line simple enough to be non-offensive to the package picky but distinct enough to make their own imprint on the beauty market. The outer box which the lipstick comes in looks simple and sophisticated which in my view will appeal more to a wider audience, than what their makeup predecessors did. Even the gold bullet and black cap lid combo makes for a simple display of style (I like) - even if it kinda reminds me of a big pill. Just what the makeup doctor ordered.  Plus the bullet itself feels robust and has a good weight to it (not super heavy or dangerously light). All in all, packaging-wise I can't see anyone complaining about lids that fall off (it clicks tightly on) or rants that it looks super cheap - because it doesn't.

Colour: A pink fuchsia. Very bold, pigmented and matte. 1-2 swipes gives complete opacity. I wouldn't say Raspberry Beret is a totally unique shade but I'm pretty sure I don't have a colour that mimics its hue exactly. Yes I do have many pinks, fuchsias and magentas but Raspberry Beret just has a real zing of pink that allows it to stand out on its own. I really like this shade and I think it will work with a variety of skin tones, as it looks nice applied sheer or at full strength.

Texture/Scent/Finish: Matte with a bit of sheen. Smells very similar to Mac lipsticks (vanilla scent). The texture is smooth although the product does tend to rest in lip lines unless smoothed out by fingers or by rubbing lips together.

Longevity: Last a long time  but I'd suggest reapplying after a meal.

Drying: Can be, especially on a cold chilly long day, when your using this for more than 8hrs. Yet for general wear its pretty comfy. However in the grand scheme of things - its more moisturising than your typical "matte" lip colour hence the sheen.

Price: £7.99 for 3.8g. Not a bad price for a bold pigmented shade. So, I think its reasonable enough for most budgets to try a shade or finish without feeling like its an over indulgence.

Ingredients: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed Oil), Octyldodecanol, Polyethylene, Aluminiun Starch Octensuccinate, Mica, Ozokerite, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Silica Dimethylsilyate, Helianthus Annus (Sunflower) Seed Wax (Heliathus Annus Seed Cera), Dicalcium Phosphate, Dosteardimonium Hectorite, Tocopheryl Acetate Ethyl Vanillin, Pentaerythrityl Tera-di-tButylhydroxyhydrocinnamate, [+/- May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI77891) Red 7 Lake (CI15850, Yellow 6 Lake (CI5985), Iron Oxides (CI77491/CI77499/CI77492), Red 6 Lake (CI15850), Blue 1 Lake (CI42090), Red 28 Lake (CI45410).]

Expiration: 18 months (made in Italy)

Overall Thoughts: Well played H&M! H&M makeup has never been bad but I'm glad that this effort/ new venture might put them on the makeup map as a sweet alternative to the normal makeup giants out there. May it long continue.

Have you tried any makeup from H&M?

Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated

xxx