Victoria Beckham’s eponymous beauty line is now available in Ireland, thanks to a new counter at Brown Thomas on Grafton Street. Known for sophisticated, heavyweight tortoiseshell-encased products that aim to deliver a polished, effortlessly refined look, this collection is one I’ve long anticipated experiencing in person.
Launched in 2019 following the success of two capsule make-up collections Beckham created in partnership with Estée Lauder – collections that also premiered at Brown Thomas – Beckham says the return to the luxury retailer for her own brand is a fitting continuation of that legacy.
“The last time I visited was when we launched the Estée Lauder beauty collaboration. That was incredible back in 2016, and this time, I’m honoured it will be with my own beauty brand. I’m so excited to be launching in Brown Thomas. We have designed the most beautiful counter, and I hope to be able to come to Ireland very soon.”
The cruelty-free brand’s inaugural collection focused on a curated edit of products devised to create the perfect smoky eye, a look synonymous with Beckham: four impressively formulated eyeshadow palettes, single shimmering lustre eyeshadows, and creamy kajal eyeliner pencils. It has since expanded to include additional make-up products, fragrances and skincare – the latter developed in collaboration with Augustinus Bader, a recognised leader in the skincare field.
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This partnership has led to what may be Beckham’s most innovative (and expensive) make-up launch this year: The Concealer Pen (€75 from Brown Thomas, available in 16 shades).
A fluid, pump-action pen infused with Augustinus Bader’s proprietary TFC8® (Trigger Factor Complex TFC™) technology – a potent blend of ingredients designed to renew skin cells and combat signs of ageing.
In essence, this concealer works to improve your skin the more you wear it. Innovative, indeed.
Of the launch Beckham says, “It’s an example of a product I dreamt of, the formula easily and quickly camouflages dark circles and areas I want to lightly conceal, with the click of the pen.”
“Lightly conceal” is the appropriate term here, as this is not a heavy duty concealer. The coverage is what I would describe as fresh and illuminating. The pen applicator is reminiscent of YSL Touché Eclat but less cumbersome to use. It falls comfortably into a category of products I refer to as “you look great”.
The effect is so subtle that you don’t appear to be wearing make-up, yet people still remark on how well you look. A win in my book.
There are several other standouts worthy of investigation. The first is the Contour Stylus Pen (€40 from Brown Thomas, available in four shades) – an exceptionally slim, lightweight pen that has become a staple in my make-up bag over the past few months. It allows for precise application and subtle yet well-defined contouring on the face – it also doubles up as a bonus cream eyeshadow.
The Lid Lustre Eyeshadows (€40, available in eight shades) are equally impressive and, arguably, downright sexy. They can be worn alone or layered as “toppers” over other eyeshadows. The colour pay-off is intense, the light-reflecting, head-turning shimmer even more so.
Although it pains me to admit it, given its small size and hefty price, I also love the Smokey Brick Eyeshadow (€66, available in four colourways). The pigment is intense, and the palm-sized, heavyweight palette feels undeniably luxurious (each “brick” contains four colour options that can be worn together or alone, so it’s reasonably versatile).
Other products, despite their beautiful packaging, have failed to impress – not because the formulas are lacking, but because I expect more from them. The mascara, for example, offers a natural, fluttery effect that’s so subtle it feels like you’re not wearing any mascara at all.
That said, this critique is more a reflection of what Victoria Beckham Beauty represents – in the best possible way. Sophisticated make-up that is chic, understated and meticulously formulated and designed to enhance, not overwhelm. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
This week I’m loving... SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Anti-Wrinkle Serum
One of the latest launches from SkinCeuticals, P-Tiox Anti-Wrinkle Serum (€145 from southwilliamclinic.com) is a peptide-loaded serum that claims to reduce the appearance of nine types of expression lines. A big claim, I think you’ll agree. After several weeks of use, I must admit I’m quite impressed. It’s a pleasure to apply; it plumps, moisturises and leaves my skin looking luminous and glass-like. The texture is also exceptional.
While I can’t definitively say if it has significantly reduced my fine lines (yet), my skin certainly looks great.
