It’s not uncommon for a fashion house to launch a cosmetics range. Chanel, Dior, Givenchy have enjoyed vast success through their ranges of makeup, skincare and fragrance, and even newcomers to the beauty game Gucci and Hermes have launched to high praise and instant cult status. However, the high street’s offerings have always left us feeling a little… meh. Usually an afterthought to the clothes, the makeup is unremarkable, the fragrances generic and the skincare, well, let’s not go there. Recently, though, high street retailers have really upped their game. Take the array of brands (H&M, & Other Stories and Marks & Spencer) calling upon the world’s most prestigious perfumers to create high-end scents at affordable prices. Now, fashion favourite Zara is launching a range of high-performance makeup products that promise to raise the game for colour and transform how we view high-street beauty as a whole.
Nadine Ijewere
The comprehensive and inclusive beauty range consists of a vast array of products from lipstick to highlighter to eyeshadows, that not only offer incredible pigment payoff, but are also clean (in this case, meaning vegan, cruelty-free and free-from mineral oils, silicones and petroleum.)
To create the range, the brand has collaborated with celebrated makeup artist Diane Kendall, who has created the runway looks for some of the most anticipated fashion shows in the world. “Our aim was to create something everyone regardless of skin colour, gender, age or personal style will want to use,” Diane says. “I was so excited to collaborate with Zara on this, even more so because it was going to be consciously crafted.”
Steven Meisel
To celebrate the launch, Diane worked with nine renowned photographers on a beautiful portfolio of images capturing different essences of beauty – and, of course, to showcase the power of the products. “I love all of the products – the colour lay down, the bright combinations, the beautiful textures and really beautiful finishes. If I had to choose my personal favourite, it would have to be the Stiletto Lipstick – it is absolutely gorgeous, it has amazing slip and the slanted packaging makes application a dream.”
David Sims
The packaging is minimal and chic, inspired by the slanted ‘Z’ in the brand’s logo. Nearly everything is refillable, and where that wasn’t possible (the nail polishes), the packaging is made from glass to reduce plastic pollution. All of the compacts share the same case, meaning when you finish a blush, you have the option to refill the packaging with blush, eyeshadows, highlighter or bronzers. “It’s really personal, you can choose whatever you want to be in your compact,” says Diane. “You could even mix it up and put an eyeshadow, a blush and a highlighter in there.” As well as recycling points in-store that will be able to reuse or recycle the compact casings, the refill trays can be simply thrown into your home recycling bin.
Mario Sorrenti
Zara Beauty will launch on 12 May on Zara.com, as well as dedicated Beauty areas in selected stores. Keep scrolling to find out more about the products to add to your wish list…