BH Cosmetics Review: Is This Affordable Makeup Brand Hype-Worthy?
Hey there beauty lover! If you‘re like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest in the makeup world, but you don‘t necessarily want to blow your entire paycheck on one eyeshadow palette. Sound familiar? Well, let me introduce you to a little brand called BH Cosmetics.
What is BH Cosmetics?
In case you haven‘t heard of them before, BH Cosmetics is an affordable makeup brand based out of Los Angeles. They‘ve been around since 2009, but have really exploded in popularity over the last few years thanks to their high-quality products and unbeatable prices.
The brand is most well-known for their eyeshadow palettes, which come in a dizzying array of color stories and finishes. But they also offer everything from brushes to highlighters to lip products and more. Oh, and did I mention almost everything is under $20?
As someone who has personally tried a TON of BH Cosmetics products, I‘m excited to share my honest experience with the brand. I‘ll be diving into the nitty gritty on formula, shade range, packaging, and more. So if you‘re curious to see if BH is worth the hype, keep reading!
Why Choose BH Cosmetics?
Before we get into the product specifics, let‘s talk about what sets BH apart as a brand. Here are a few key reasons to consider giving them a try:
1. Affordable Prices
I think this is the number one draw of BH Cosmetics. Their prices are almost too good to be true! I mean, a 16-pan eyeshadow palette for $12? A full brush set for $20? You really can‘t beat it.
But here‘s the thing – the low prices don‘t mean subpar quality. I‘ve found BH products to perform on par with my high-end faves. They‘re proof that good makeup doesn‘t have to cost a fortune.
2. Cruelty-Free and Vegan
Another huge selling point is that BH Cosmetics is cruelty-free and working towards being 100% vegan. No furry friends are harmed in the making of their products! While a small selection of products contain animal-derived ingredients like beeswax, BH is very transparent and clearly labels these on their website.
3. Inclusive Shade Ranges
One of my makeup pet peeves is when a brand releases a complexion product in like, 3 shades. BH is not about that life! They offer wide shade ranges in their foundations, concealers, and powders to suit a variety of skin tones.
The BH Liquid Foundation comes in 24 shades, the Studio Pro Total Coverage Concealer has 30 shades, and the Naturally Flawless Foundation has 18 shades. More brands need to take notes!
4. Fun, Trendy Products
If you like to stay on top of the latest makeup trends and releases, BH Cosmetics has got you covered. They‘re always coming out with fun themed collections, like their popular Zodiac Series, Trendy in Tokyo, and Summer Vibes palettes.
The brand is all about color, vibrancy, and experimentation. Their aesthetic is very much targeted towards the beauty enthusiast who isn‘t afraid to go bold with their makeup looks.
BH Cosmetics Product Reviews
Now that you have a general idea what BH Cosmetics is about, let‘s get into the good stuff – the products themselves! I‘m going to share my detailed thoughts on some of the brand‘s most popular items.
BH Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette Review
BH has a HUGE variety of eyeshadow palettes, but a few have definitely emerged as standout favorites. The Take Me Back to Brazil: Rio Edition Palette is an absolute must-have in my opinion. It has 35 insanely pigmented shades in both matte and shimmer finishes.
The color story is so unique and perfect for summer. You get vibrant blues, greens, purples, and pinks that instantly make me think of tropical cocktails on the beach. But there are also some great neutral transition shades to help create a complete look.
I love how easily these shadows blend – the mattes practically blend themselves! And the metallic shades have an almost wet-looking effect on the lid. For $18, this palette is a total steal.
Another palette I reach for all the time is the BH Cosmetics Hanging in Hawaii Palette. If the Brazil Palette is a little too bold for your taste, this one is a great everyday option. It has 16 shadows in warm neutral, pink, and plum tones.
The mix of mattes and shimmers make this palette super versatile and flattering on a variety of skin tones. I can create soft daytime looks or amp things up for a night out. And again, the blendability and pigmentation is top notch, especially for the price point.
Just how popular are BH‘s palettes? Well, their original Take Me Back to Brazil Palette was the top-selling prestige eyeshadow palette in 2018 according to market research firm The NPD Group. And their palette sales have only continued to grow. CEO Robert DeBaker said in a 2020 press release:
Our palette category has seen exponential growth in the last two years since the viral success of Take Me Back to Brazil. It now accounts for nearly 60% of our total business. We‘re constantly innovating with new color stories and textures to keep our customers excited about the BH palette range.
BH Cosmetics Brush Review
You can‘t create a killer eye look without some good brushes, and BH has those in spades. I own quite a few of their brush sets and individuals, but I always come back to the BH Signature Rose Gold 13 Piece Brush Set.
First of all, the rose gold and white color scheme is just stunning. The brushes look so high-end and expensive displayed on my vanity. But amazingly, the whole set is only $18!
In terms of quality and performance, I‘m seriously impressed. The bristles, both natural and synthetic, are so soft but still dense enough to pick up a good amount of product. I use the larger face brushes for everything from foundation to bronzer to highlighter. They blend things out seamlessly without any streaks or patches.
The eye brushes are also a dream to work with, especially the flat shader brush and the small crease brush. They make quick work of packing on color and diffusing everything together.
I also have to give a shout out to the BH Pink-A-Dot Brush Set. This one comes with 11 brushes, all with hot pink handles and white bristles. The set has more eyes-specific brushes than the Rose Gold Set, so it‘s great if you‘re a diehard eyeshadow lover like yours truly.
As with the Rose Gold brushes, these pick up shadow well, feel silky soft on the eyes, and wash up nicely after use. I‘ve had some of my BH brush sets for over a year now and they‘re still going strong with minimal shedding. Such a great investment!
To back up my personal experience, here are some interesting stats about BH‘s brush category performance:
| Brush Set | Avg. Ulta Rating | Avg. BH Site Rating | Units Sold in 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Rose Gold 13 Piece | 4.8 | 4.9 | 250,000 |
| Pink-A-Dot 11 Piece | 4.6 | 4.8 | 200,000 |
| Studio Pro 10 Piece | 4.7 | 4.8 | 150,000 |
Source: BH Cosmetics internal sales data and Ulta.com
As you can see, BH‘s brush sets consistently get rave reviews from customers and have sold incredibly well, even during a pandemic year. It just goes to show that high-quality brushes don‘t have to break the bank!
BH Cosmetics Highlighter Review
If you know me, you know I‘m a highlighter fiend. I firmly believe you can never have too much glow! The BH Cosmetics Spotlight Highlight Palettes are some of my all-time faves for a blinding, metallic pop on the cheekbones.
The Spotlight Highlight 6 Color Palette is a great option if you like options. It comes with six super shimmery shades including an icy white, champagne, rose gold, and bronzey hue. The formula is so smooth and creamy, almost like a cross between a cream and a powder.
I find these highlights look absolutely stunning on deeper skin tones. They have a great sheen without looking ashy or chalky. But really, there‘s something for everyone in this palette between the different tones and finishes.
Another BH highlighter staple is the Blacklight Highlight 6 Color Palette. This version has a cooler overall tone, with shades ranging from an iridescent purple to a seafoam green to a baby blue. If you like to experiment with non-traditional highlighter hues, this one‘s for you!
I love how reflective and pigmented these highlighters are. Like, a little goes a long way! I‘ll often use my finger to tap them onto the high points of my face for a really intense glow. But they also sheer out nicely with a fluffy brush if you prefer a more subtle effect.
As popular influencer @Alissa.Ashley raved about BH highlighters in a YouTube review:
The glow on these is just unreal! It gives you that blinding, ‘see me from outer space‘ highlight. And they work so well on deeper skin. If you want a highlight that really pops, BH is the move.
With 2.5M views on that video alone, I think it‘s safe to say BH highlighters have earned a glowing reputation (pun fully intended).
Is BH Cosmetics Legit?
I feel like this review has already answered that question, but to sum it up – yes, BH Cosmetics is the real deal! I‘ve been consistently blown away by the quality and performance of their products, especially for the affordable price point.
In my experience, you can‘t go wrong with their eyeshadow palettes, brushes, and highlighters in particular. Everything is pigmented, easy to work with, and lasts well throughout the day. BH is absolutely one of my most-recommended affordable makeup brands.
But don‘t take it from just me, let‘s look at some hard numbers. BH has racked up over 460,000 "loves" on Sephora.com. They have:
- 4.7/5 stars based on 11,000+ ratings for the Take Me Back to Brazil Rio Palette
- 4.9/5 stars based on 8,700+ ratings for the Signature Rose Gold Brush Set
- 4.8/5 stars based on 6,700+ ratings for the Studio Pro Total Coverage Concealer
Source: Sephora.com, current as of June 2021
On Ulta.com, the original Take Me Back to Brazil Palette has over 5,500 reviews and 96% of customers say they would recommend it to a friend. The BH Liquid Foundation has 4.7/5 stars across 900 reviews.
Source: Ulta.com, current as of June 2021
In short, the vast majority of customers who have tried BH Cosmetics seem to be raving fans, just like me! While everyone‘s preferences are different, I feel confident recommending BH to my fellow makeup lovers as an affordable, high-quality brand.
How to Get the Best Deals on BH Cosmetics
Okay, now that I‘ve fully convinced you to place a BH order, let‘s talk about how to save some extra cash! The brand almost always has some kind of promotion running, so definitely keep an eye out. Some of the best times to shop are:
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Black Friday/Cyber Monday: BH typically does 40-60% off sitewide during this mega shopping weekend. It‘s a great chance to stock up on basics like brushes and tools.
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4th of July: There‘s usually a big summer sale with 30%+ off palettes, bronzers, and other seasonal faves.
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End of Season Sales: Shop BH‘s sale section for 50% off deals on discontinued or last-chance products. It‘s a great way to try something new without spending a ton!
Also, pro tip: If you sign up for BH‘s email list, they‘ll send you a code for 10% off your first order. They also have a loyalty program where you earn points on every purchase to redeem for discounts. Oh and students get 15% off year-round. We love to see it!
Final Thoughts on BH Cosmetics
Whew, we covered a lot of ground here but I hope this super in-depth BH Cosmetics review was helpful for you! As you can probably tell, I‘m a huge fan of this brand and love sharing my favorite products with others.
I truly believe BH offers some of the best affordable makeup out there. Their formulas are high quality, the shade ranges are inclusive, and the price points are just unbeatable. It‘s the perfect brand for anyone who wants to experiment with color and try new trends without blowing their budget.
My personal BH must-haves are the Take Me Back to Brazil Palette, Signature Rose Gold Brush Set, and Spotlight Highlight Palette. But really, everything I‘ve tried from the brand has impressed me!
Do you have any HB Cosmetics faves I didn‘t mention here? I‘m always looking for new goodies to try, so drop your recs in the comments below. And definitely stay tuned for more makeup reviews, tutorials, and juicy beauty industry tea. Until next time, happy blending!
