Beauty picks from HEMA

It may not be a brand you've heard of or seen on the high street, but HEMA is a quirky new chain that began in Amsterdam and offers 'original design at surprisingly low prices' - including beauty products.

There's a HEMA store at Grand Central in Birmingham, which is how I first came across them but soon I was window shopping online, admiring their functional and quirky homewares. I really like the mix of practical pieces and fun and they really seem to be tapping into key trends. The price point is great and on the few times I have wandered in for a mooch, I've always found something to catch my eye.

Including their beauty and make up range.

Featuring everything from cleansers and eye creams through to matt chubby sticks and eye palettes, I've discovered a treasure trove of treats.

For the past few weeks, I've been using their eye cream, which I find gentle on my sensitive eyes - plus I love the name, 'Hello Mirror, Guess My Age'. It's tailored for 30+ (yes, I know, I don't look a day over 25...) which I like and for less than a fiver, it's as effective as any other eye cream I have tried.

I've also been using their nude eye shadow palette (£9 for five shades) every day, opting for the lighter, creamy shades by day and adding the rich browns for evening-ready looks. And I love them. Absolutely love them. The packaging is beautiful, the powders have good staying power and pigmentation and they don't flake or dust in the palette, even when slung around in a weekend bag.

I'm also keen on the soft matt lip crayons. I have a pale nude shade which I do like, just think it's a tad off for my skin tone (see pic below), so I'm keen to swatch a few more shades. The crayons have a soft, smooth feel to them and don't feel dry either, and at just £4.75, they're definitely worth a look.

When it comes to my cheeks, I can struggle to find the right shade and consistency. I like the creamyness of cream blushers but they don't tend to have much staying power. I picked up a HEMA cream blush stick (£6) in a bright coral tone (colour 4)  and I do like the pop of colour, but still need to layer up with a powder blush to help it stay.

I love a new beauty find and an affordable one to boot. HEMA is one of those 'never know what you're going to find' places, so excuse me whilst I go and take a closer look at what's new...