I don't often talk about the products that I don't get on with, there's so many products out there that I love and want to share with you guys, but I think it's important to share what products I didn't get on with so well, so that you can make an informed decision as to whether they will work for you. If the internet was full of only good reviews, we'd all be disappointed a lot more often.
I've gathered up the products that didn't impress me for one reason or another in the last year to show you. It's worth bearing in mind that just because these products didn't work for me, it doesn't mean they are rubbish, or won't work for you.
So first up, a few base products. Benefit's Porefessional primer is majorly hyped, in the blogosphere and amongst those normal folk with a makeup collection that can fit in one small bag. For me though, it was just missing something. It does smooth out the appearance of the skin, but if anything I find my makeup stays on less time than if I hadn't applied it. I definitely fell for the hype with this one, big mistake! A foundation that I mentioned recently was a real let down, I'm a massive fan of Bourjois foundations, but the Bourjois Happly Light Foundation really missed the mark in a big way. I'm not sure what happened with the shade range of this foundation, but all my other Bourjois foundations are shade 52, this is shade 50, and it's orange. Oompa Loompa Orange. And it oxidises, so it only gets worse. Shade grumbles aside, this also turns my skin into an oil slick. Now don't hate me for saying this, but I really don't understand the hype around the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer. It's thick and cakey, it doesn't blend nicely, and it oxidises like nobodies business, drawing attention to the areas you're trying to mask. Nope, don't get it at all. I even bought a second one thinking mine was dodgy, but nope. I really like the Maybelline Fit Me concealer, so I expected to love the Maybelline Fit Me Powder. However, it just didn't really do anything for me, I tried applying it with different brushes, and sponges, but it just doesn't do anything. It doesn't make my makeup last longer, it doesn't get rid of shine, nothing. And for a range that was designed to give everyone a perfect match, all the colours are too yellow or pink for me.
I bought the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion sponge fairly recently, after rave reviews claiming it gives your skin an 'airbrushed' look when you use it to apply foundation. I just found that using this takes three times as long as using a brush, and didn't look as nice at the end. I'll be sticking with my buffing brush thank you! I was also surprised that I didn't get on with the Soap and Glory Glow All Out highlighting powder, since it seems to be everyones highlighter of choice at the moment. In the pan it looks beautiful, a gorgeous champagne pink shimmery powder, but when I put it on - nothing. It doesn't show up at all on my skin.
I was absolutely desperate to get my hands on the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Glam Plum Fullham, it was sold out everywhere, I ordered it from Superdrug and the sent me a childrens lipgloss with a teddy bear on it, and then I finally tracked it down in my local Tesco. But to be honest, it's just not what I thought it would be. In the bullet it's gorgeous, but it's too pink on the lips so it just looks strange. Also, because the formula is so creamy and it doesn't set, you only have to smile and it's all over your forehead. Well, it goes around your mouth, but you get the idea. The Revlon Lash Potion Mascara was another one I was anxious to get my hands on, with everyone in the states raving about it, I bought it as soon as it hit the UK. I don't mind the brush of this, but the formula is awful, it takes so long to make it look like there's even anything on my lashes, and then after a couple of hours my lashes feel heavy and itchy, and I end up trying to pull the mascara off (not a good idea).
Seche Vite Topcoat is one everyone loves, hell, I love the finish of it, but I won't ever buy it again, seeing as it's £9, and once you're halfway through the bottle it goes gloopy and then solid and you can't use it. It's a shame because it's a lovely topcoat. I think I'm the only person in the world who doesn't get on with Barry M Nail Polishes. Peach Melba and Blue Moon need 6 coats before they are even slightly opaque, and the Gelly Hi-Shine formula is so gloopy and runny and takes over two hours to dry. I don't have the time!
I am a massive Lush fan, but Ultrabland is the only product that's ever disappointed me. I still use this to take off heavy eye makeup, because it's a great makeup remover, but it leaves an oily residue on my skin, even after double cleansing, and it breaks me out.
And lastly, I've mentioned the Lee Stafford Hair Growth Conditioner before, I loved the hair mask from the same range, but this really didn't work for me. It's so runny that even after being in my hair for fifteen minutes, it did nothing.
So there we go! Have you used any of these products and liked them? What products disappointed you this year?
I love the Porefessional and the Collection concealer - I feel like both do wonders for my skin! I felt the same about those Barry M nail polishes, I bought a few because I loved the colours but I despise the formula. I've used the Lee Stafford hair growth range for a while before but I felt like it did absolutely nothing for my hair xCharlotte / coloursandcarousels
ReplyDeleteBarry M Peach Melba and Blue Moon are the worst nail polishes I have ever used!! :( I thought I was the only one who was hugely disappointed in that formulation since so many people seemed to rave about them.This is a great idea but it's never great when you end up wasting money on products that really don't live up to the hype or your expectations.Glad I stumbled across your blog - you've got a new follower here!! :)http://ellistuesday.blogspot.co.uk/
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting, must be to do with skin type! I just don't know why so many people rave about them, I thought they were awful! No I found it really thin and watery! x
ReplyDeleteAhh thank you! I'm not sure why there is so much hype around barry m polishes! x
ReplyDeleteThey are awful! You aren't alone! No it's really disappointing, but as long as my review can help! Ahh thank you! x
ReplyDeletei'm normally a huge fan of barry m polishes but yeah blue moon is ridiculously sheer, and the annoying thing is you can't tell until you try and use it! i agree about the collection concealer too, i used to love their powders but i'm pretty sure they've changed both the formula and packaging now. shame.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the Porefessional! I find it too slippy, yuch.Charlotte - www.blotandreapply.com xx
ReplyDeleteI know! That's what I found so frustrating, it wasn't expensive but it was annoying! I'm glad I'm not the only one! x
ReplyDeleteThank god I'm not alone! It oxidises so badly on me, and makes breakouts worse! xx
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Not a good primer! xx
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't tried any of these except the RT sponge which I love...But I love reading post like this, because I find them to be very helpful :)sparklewithlaughter.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried these products before! It's refreshing to see some negative reviews sometimes to see another side of things.xxCelina | The Celution | Bloglovin
ReplyDeleteI use the collection concealer and ultrabland on a daily basis, and I love the seche vite top coat! It's strange how things work for some people and not others! I do find I have to scrub pretty hard with a flannel to remove ultrabland completely though. I also love the Lee Stafford hair mask, but I've not tried the conditioner!www.beautifulcuriosities.co.uk
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on Seche Vite! I don't find it makes my nail varnish last any longer but I love how quickly it dries any nail varnish and how glossy it makes it. As you pointed out though a major bad point is you get half way through the bottle and it goes off. Mine started becoming stringy, but it wasn't too bad at first, but pretty much as soon as I hit half way through the bottle it was unusable. So strange!http://www.talenttalks.co.uk/member/profile/257/
ReplyDeleteI recently got the S&G highlighter and love it because it's quite subtle but buildable. I'm also not a fan of the RT sponge. I found the texture a little too soft and mine started to fall apart on the first wash. It was really hyped up but I recently found a cheaper blending sponge in TKMaxx that's so much better!Kelsey xxwww.kelseydawnblogs.com
ReplyDeleteIt's strange how things can work really well for one person and not for another! Ahh glad I could help! x
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it! xx
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't like it when people do constant negative reviews, but I do think it's helpful every now and then! You would think! Very strange, I figured going two shades lighter I'd be fine but it's still super orange! x
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! We must have different skin types! I love the mask so much so the conditioner was a big let down! x
ReplyDeleteIt's so frustrating, if it was a fiver I wouldn't mind so much! x
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely subtle and it looks great on some people but just doesn't show up on me! Mine was okay when I washed it, but it wasn't completely clean! Ahh at least you found a good alternative! I love TKMaxx, so many bargains! xx
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see products that haven't lived up to people's expectations for a change! I agree with you on the Maybelline powder and the Barry M gelly polishes. It always makes me think I'm missing a trick though if everyone else in the blogging world is raving about a product that I can't get on with. I just discovered your blog today and am really enjoying looking back through some of your old posts! xLola and Behold
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling, I get paranoid that I'm not using it right when everyone seems to love something and I just can't get on with it! Thank you so much, it means a lot! x
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