Testing out make up isn’t foolproof. You try some and find great products, but for every hidden gem there are at least an equal amount of complete duds around. So what are some make up products I tried but ended up never using, disliking or simply didn’t work for me? Here’s 10 products that fall just in that category.
As you can see, most of my regrets are drugstore items. And that is not that strange. When I buy high end make up, I tend to do more research or at least try out the products a few times before deciding to purchase. Simply because it is more affordable, I dare buy drugstore make up on a whim without testing it out beforehand. However, there are also a few items here that I bought because I read rave reviews about the items, but they didn’t work for me.
L’Oreal Nude Magique Eau de Teint in 100 Porcelain
We’re starting with base products. And my first regret is this foundation. I wrote a reasonably positive review on it when I first bought it (see link above). However, ever since I wrote that review I never again reached for it. The reason? It accentuates my dry patches and therefore isn’t a foundation I reach for easily. I have better drugstore foundations that got pushed up the line in favor of this one.
Maybelline Instant Anti-Age The Eraser Eye Perfect & Cover Concealer in Light
After hearing so many people rave about this product, I decided to give it a try. First there was the sponge tip applicator, which was a nightmare to use. But even after I took it off, it still didn’t work for me. The pump disposes too much product and the product itself does not work for me. It is too thick, it looks cakey and bunches up in the fine lines underneath my eyes within seconds. Talking about too much of a good thing.
Catrice Camouflage full coverage cream concealer in 010 Ivory
A product I used a fair bit and that I also reviewed positively at first, is this cream concealer by Catrice. I bought it because of all the good reviews I found online. However, I found that after using this for a little while the texture because quite dry and difficult to blend. It also got cakey on the undereye area and in the end, the color didn’t suit my skin tone all that well. I reviewed this in spring, but as I because paler during winter this color, the lightest available shade, no longer worked for me.
Make Up Revolution London Flawless 32 Ultra Eyeshadows
A more recent purchase is this 32 eyeshadow palette by Make Up Revolution. Now when it comes to budget eyeshadow palettes, this isn’t the worst quality out there. However, as I already noted in my review, this palette does not work as well on the eyes as it does in the pan. It looks so pretty, but once you start playing with this many of the shades are so identical that they do not work on the lid and thus I never reach for this palette.
Catrice Velvet Matt eyeshadow in 040 Al Burgundy
A complete dud was this Velvet Matt eyeshadow by Catrice. It all seemed so perfect: satin matt drugstore eyeshadow in a stunning burgundy shade. Unfortunately this shade was a nightmare to apply as it blended away too easily. And then, to make matters worse, it shattered. Not while using it. Oh no, it broke while it was sitting in my stash after being used twice. I never even dropped it. These shadows are still on sale, and the little dome shape this had originally has been replaced by a flat surface that seems to have been better pressed than this, so perhaps the new version is less prone to accidents.
Maybelline Lasting Drama Black Shock 36 h gel liner
The drugstore answer to Benefit’s They’re Real Push Up liner came from Maybelline. This didn’t see a wide release, so when I found it at the German drugstore last year I was intrigued and decided to pick it up. The rubber applicator tugged on my eye lid, the nib was too wide and the product is quite dry and chunky to apply. That makes it difficult to apply. I’d rather pick one of my felt tip liner when I am looking to do an eyeliner look.
Catrice Illuminating highlighter pen
This highlighter pen is being re-released for Catrice’s fall/ winter 2015 collection. And if you find it and think: hey that might be interesting, I suggest you pass on it. The reason? Sparkle. Silver sparkle. See, I like a pearlescent pink highlight. I used to love Benefit’s High Beam (I had to let go of that because it expired) and I was hoping this product was similar. But no, this has straight up glitter in it and when blened out, the glitter is all you see.
Essence XXXL Longlasting Lipgloss in Velvet Rose
Liquid lipsticks are all the rage right now, but a few years ago Essence brought out a really good budget version. They then renewed their line, called the product a lipgloss, but it was still supposed to work the same way. Unfortunately this product is not for me. The smell is just too much: too sweet, like sugary cookie dough and that is not my cup of tea. The product itself also didn’t work for me. I tried it a few times, but this product hardly dries on my lips (which the old version does do). So all it pretty much does is disappear within 2 seconds and leaves that strong sweet smell behind.
NARS Shringanar sheer lipstick
A few years ago I was still very much in my experimental phase. I liked trying make up brands I didn’t know and one of them was NARS. When I was in London, the MUA recommended I try this lipstick and in itself it wasn’t a bad idea. However, this lipstick has a sheer formula and hardly shows up on my lips. I tried putting it over blocked out lips using lip erase or concealer and even then I find it very very sheer. Nope, this does not work for me.
Sigma Duo Fibre F50 face brush
A few year’s ago stippling brushes were all beautygurus would use for foundation application. I hopped on the bandwagon and bought this F50 by Sigma. However, I stopped using it when I bought the F82 Round Kabuki brush and haven’t look back since. And the reason why is simple. This brush sheds. I bought the F82, because I was tired of plucking brush hairs out of my foundation after I’d applied it. I also own the Sigma F15, which is a smaller version of this and that works like a charm, but this bigger sized brush is in a drawer collecting dust.
What make up items do you regret buying?