Prada Beauty Has Dropped And We Tried Every Makeup Product

By Fiona Embleton

Sometimes even icons have to reinvent themselves. That includes fashion crowd favourite Prada, which is launching Prada Beauty today, 1st August 2023.

Synonymous with being both classic and modern, Prada is also renowned for the occasional eccentric flourish. The same values have inspired the new range of makeup and skincare, which draws on both the House's heritage and new technology, leaving luxury beauty shoppers purring with delight while encouraging playfulness among Gen Z fashion fans.

While Prada has already made its mark in the perfume arena, the brand's first foray into beauty include Color - a makeup line that has been put through its paces by the GLAMOUR UK team.

There are two different matte lipsticks – which is apt considering matte lips have been a staple on every Prada catwalk since the brand’s first Ready-to-Wear show in 1988. The Monochrome Hyper Matte Durable Weightless Lipcolor is the more intense with a texture akin to Prada's signature Saffiano leather; the Soft Matte Buildable Weightless Lipcolor has a hint of luminosity and a texture not unlike Prada’s iconic Re-Nylon fabric.

The Prada Dimensions Eyeshadow Palettes, meanwhile, each feature three sophisticated neutrals and a single more radical pop of colour, all drawing on the House's fashion archives (think 27,000 different textiles and patterns).

When it comes to base, the texture is matte, too. Prada Reveal Skin Optimising Foundation deploys patented soft filter technology to make skin appear smoother and more radiant, as well as containing skin-friendly niacinamide and a probiotic. AI was used to determine the foundation's 33 shades using an algorithm of 3,000 different skin tones. Despite this, however, they still don't fall at the deepest end of the shade range, which is a real missed opportunity.

There are also three skincare products – the Augmented Skin Cleanser, Face Cream, Serum – but all come with hefty price tags (the Cleanser alone costs £85), which is why we've chosen to focus on makeup instead.

Of course, no luxury beauty line would be complete without an addictive scent. So it is only fitting that the master perfumer behind the brand’s fragrance collection Les Infusions de Prada created the soft, powdery iris and heliotrope vanilla accord that runs through each product.

By Gabi Thorne

By Meg Walters

By Hayley Spencer

As expected, the packaging for Prada Beauty is next-level chic but every product is also refillable, which is a big draw.

Here's what the GLAMOUR UK team thought of the Colour products:

Elle Turner, GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Editor:

“The foundation was my favourite product I tried. I was LW15, the L standing for Light and the W for warm. I like how much attention was paid to undertones and this is one of the closest matches I've found to my actual skin tone. It was seamless. However, I'd like this degree of attention to be paid to all skin tones. The coverage gives a really naturally finish: not too matte, not too dewy. And while it gives a good amount of buildable coverage, it doesn't feel heavy at all. Again, the packaging was next-level and it's also refillable which is rare for foundations but makes me like it so much more. And since the inner tube slides out so easily, it makes it a perfect portable option if you want to take it in your handbag without the full weight of the packaging (it could just do with a dinky lid for this). Overall, it's made it straight into my makeup bag.” 4/5

Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR UK's Acting Associate Beauty Director:

“I'm not usually a fan of matte foundation as it reminds me of those pore-clogging, mask-like 90s bases. The Skin Optimizing Foundation couldn't be more different. Using some sort of clever high-tech sorcery it really does mimic the feel of bare skin and will appeal to both makeup minimalists and those who lean more towards full coverage. The texture is velvety and cloud-like and rather than dampen skin's glow, it makes it look like it's bathed in soft-focus candlelight, which was a real surprise. On paper I was really impressed by the idea of AI creating more accurate colour matches but in reality, the shades don't land as deep as say Armani foundations and that is a problem for me.” 3/5

Deborah Joseph, GLAMOUR's European Editorial Director:

By Gabi Thorne

By Meg Walters

By Hayley Spencer

“The lipstick is made to last. It stayed on for five hours and didn't even come off with normal face wash. I had to scrub it off in the shower. It doesn't initially feel that pigmented, but the colour is buildable so you can wear it as a lighter colour wash. I prefer an opaque look, so applied four layers. It gives a matte finish, but it still feels moisturising. The shape of the lipstick is unique and has various angles with which to get the perfect shape around my cupid's bow. I tried Flamingo in the picture, but I have to say the other cherry colour is my favourite as it really pops and gives me the perfect pout. Overall, I'm impressed. My only negative would be that the packaging, while stylish, is quite bulky. I always have a small handbag, so it's a bit bigger than I'd ideally like.” 5/5

Elle Turner, GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Editor:

“The packaging wins for me, it's unashamedly luxe and heavy and it feels like you're carrying a little designer accessory with you. And – even better – it's refillable and kinder to the planet. The lipstick packed a punch with the pigment and was comfortable on lips, but I was less keen on the shade (I tried Pourpre, a pinky red). I'd love to see some of the '90s nudes that are really big right now, or a subtle coral. And I'd also like to see some other lip formulas. A Prada lip oil would be the dream and something I'd reach for more often. If this is just the start, I can't wait to see what's next.” 3/5

Shei Mamona, GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Writer:

By Gabi Thorne

By Meg Walters

By Hayley Spencer

“Although I’m not a lipstick kind of girl, if I’m doing one, it needs to come through as a powerhouse, statement red – the hue of confidence and sensuality. I was excited to try this lipstick as the packaging was dreamy. Silver and gold – It screams opulence from a mile. That’s what you're paying for: pure opulence. So in the looks department it's a 10/10. Upon application, I liked the shape of the lipstick, it made contouring around the cupid's bow easy, plus the formula just glided onto the lips. It was soft and velvety to the touch, but the Fuoco shade is punchy and bold to the eye. The only downside is that the formula did not pass the food test. It did bleed and travel down my face after eating my mid-morning snack. I wanted to love it, but I might save it for special occasions only. Ones that don’t involve salmon bagels with cream cheese anyway…” 4/5

Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Commerce Writer:

“As a lipstick obsessive, I’m all about finding a quality formula that gives me all the pigment and lasting power I need, while staying comfortable and almost undetectable on the lips. When I got my hands on the new Prada lipstick, my expectations were high. Right off the bat, I was in love with the packaging that echoed the iconic Prada aesthetic in the best way imaginable. From the luxurious silver and gold elements, to the lipstick itself (which, by the way, also featured the brand’s signature triangle), it’s safe to say that the attention to detail was very much there. I also enjoyed the magnetic cap, which adds to that premium feel. As for the colour itself: as a sucker for a red lip, I was immediately drawn to the shade R28, which is without a doubt as close as it gets to my favourite red – not too cool and not too warm. The pigment payoff was off the charts (I only needed one coat) and the design of the lipstick allowed for a precise and lip-liner-free application. The formula felt incredibly creamy and weightless on the lips, which is always a win in my book.” 4/5.

Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR UK's Acting Associate Beauty Director:

By Gabi Thorne

By Meg Walters

By Hayley Spencer

“As a neutral eyeshadow lover, if you had told me a few days ago that I'd be rocking pink eyeshadow this summer I'd probably have laughed in your face. But there's actually something really magical about the colour - pink makes eye whites brighter and even makes dull skin sing. Fuchsia is the surprise ‘eccentric’ shade in the 06 Pulp palette, a blend of sunset shades including bronze and pale gold, housed in a stunning Prada embossed silver and gold palette. The eyeshadows themselves are all triangular, a shape that is the brand's signature – proof if any were needed that attention to detail runs through each piece in the collection. I can suffer from quite oily eyelids so often my eye makeup travels elsewhere on my face by midday. That simply didn't happen with this eyeshadow, which stayed crease free all day and locked in my eyeliner. I feel like I stepped out of my comfort zone with this colour way and, paired with the Soft Matte lipstick in Poupre, it's less Barbiecore and more cocktail hour at the beach. But I do find the price slightly obscene for an eyeshadow palette, which is why I've knocked off a few points. ” 3/5

Shei Mamona, GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Writer:

“I haven’t been this excited for a launch in a while. Yes it's another luxury brand launching makeup but my beauty cabinet could do with an upscale revamp. By that, I mean products that look as good on the packaging as they do on the skin. Prada really came through with that. The packing is as opulent and timeless as the iconic Galleria Leather Tote, except here it’s a clean mirrored silver and gold, my two favourite hues. The compact is a great portable size and even though it's super lightweight, it still feels luxe to the touch. So far so good. The range itself comes with an interesting palette selection. These are not necessarily hues I’d put together so I’d say Pulp 06 was the closest to something I’d reach out too. It had a medium brown, a golden hue, a base beige and a warm berry – all the basics for a romantic and shimmery eye look. The colour needed quite a bit of layering as it didn't easily pop against my dark skin. However, once I got past the first few swipes, the pigment started coming through. Will this be my go-to eyeshadow palette moving forward? Probably not. Will it sit beautifully in my clutch for any throughout-the-day touch ups. Absolutely.” 3/5

Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Commerce Writer:

By Gabi Thorne

By Meg Walters

By Hayley Spencer

“Eyeshadow can make or break anyone’s makeup look, and considering how hard it is to nail the pigment, the blend and the wearable combination of colours, I was a tad sceptical to try a new eyeshadow palette (even from the likes of Prada). Presentation-wise, I was beyond impressed with the luxurious and geometrical design. Consistent with the lipstick, the eyeshadow palette also had that silver and gold-ish elements, which – again – added to that premium feel. Inside the 06 palette, I found four shades (a fair amount for the day-to-day), featuring everything from burgundy and champagne tones to a dark brown and even a rose-gold-ish shade – an ideal combo for autumn, if you ask me. Everything applied and blended fairly easily and there was nearly no fallout too. My favourite shade was definitely the rose-gold shimmer, which is perfect to pop in the middle of the lid to add that extra touch to your overall look. However, I did find that the darker shades were not as pigmented as I expected them to be and required lots of layering to achieve the look I was going for. That being said, I definitely will be reaching for this palette on more than one occasion, especially in the colder months.” 3/5

Elle Turner, GLAMOUR UK's Beauty Editor:

“I like that this eyeshadow palette challenges you. I tried 03 Pulse which has a mix of plum, shimmering mauve, shimmering pewter (which is the shade I tried) and a racy orange red. I was surprised by how much I liked the pewter since it's not a shade I would normally wear. The formula is buttery soft and blends beautifully. Plus the pigment is really gorgeous and buildable. Realistically though, I probably wouldn't drop £xx on such an experimental palette. I'd love to see an edit of four neutrals – all wearable enough that I could hit pan on each.” 3/5