M&S's new Beauty department

Is finally here!

The first store to adapt this phenomenon is the High Street Kensington branch which you have to pop over by if you're around.

How is it different from a gazillion other departmental beauty halls?

- It is quite spacious for once and there is plenty of room for people to walk in the aisle and test and choose products without being suffocated.
- It stocks other inaccessible niche brands, mostly organic and science led such as Dr Renauds, Filorga, Nuxe, Deborah Lippmann, Apivita, Acorelle and a tonne more.
- It has some in-store exclusives from brands specifically made to fit into M&S's ethics about the Beauty area, ones that you won't find any where else.
- It promises no pushy and only helpful assistance by the staff who are all trained in their fields to provide expert advise.
- There is also a virtual make-over device cum mirror that lets you upload your photo from Facebook and see how in store products and looks would appear on you. It also lets you order and shop online, if you are not in any mood for human interaction that day.

They have also reformulated and repackaged their own Autograph range which I couldn't get my eyes off from. The variety, shades and the prices were simply unbelievable. They also had a Limited range that was slightly cheaper than Autograph and more suitable for the younger consumer.

Another section where I remained glued on for quite a while during the launch was their Fragrance area. Especially because the brands here were not your usual high-street ones but in fact niche global brands you hadn't come across before, so beautifully packed and so unique when sniffed, that I already have a wish-list.

The Beauty Hall currently only exists at the High Street Kensington store but there are plans to spread it out to 100's of M&S stores nationwide within months.

A refreshing change from the usual Boots & Superdrug, do you see yourself shopping beauty at M&S?