There are so many wonderful products out there in the beauty world that it's hard eliminating my long list of wants. That's why I am starting a new series I call "The (Un)favorites" (so original, right?) in which I delve into the products that just didn't cut it for me. Hopefully I can save you some money on a few products you might want to skip the next time you're at the drugstore.
Neutrogena Skin Clearing Foundation | This foundation has an incredible number of claims: won't clog pores, hypoallergenic, controls shine with natural-looking coverage, and rapidly cuts through oil for fast acne relief. What they don't tell you is that it will make your face look like an oompa loompa. I am not messing around with you. This product oxidizes like craaaazy, and you are left with a lovely orange face. I put this on my cousin once, and the minute I saw her out in the sunlight, I wanted to cry! It didn't do much with controlling my spots either, so this was a complete dud for me.
Elf Lip Balm in Nude | For starters, this is not a lip balm. It's a lipstick and a very soft (too soft) one at that. This product does not apply evenly and leaves you with shimmery brownish orange lips. The color on the tube is a dusty pink, but that is surely not what's inside. I hate it when a brand shows the incorrect color on the packaging. Like is it really that hard? Should we be left to the play the guessing game? What the heck, I'll go and be the new color consultant.
Sonia Kashuk Double Duty Brush Set | When my mom first brought this set home, I was in awe as this was the first time I had ever laid eyes on a complete set. Being the sneaky girl I was, I slowly took a brush at a time, and pretty soon, I had acquired the entire thing. I was quite naive for the longest time and used the set happily; however, I soon tried brushes from brands like Real Techniques, and I realized how not great these brushes really are. The bristles on the blush, contour, and eyeliner brush are all incredibly coarse. The latter is the worst as the hairs aren't evenly cut, so it actually hurts to apply eyeliner! The foundation and concealer brushes are okay but nothing spectacular. I've heard tons of people raving about the Sonia Kashuk brushes, so they must have improved since I first got these three years ago.
Have you tried any products from these brands that you haven't liked?
emme I love the set out of your blog! It's so nice and easy to read yes this is random ahah.
ReplyDeleteManisha Anwari
ELF has some hit or miss brushes even within the same type of brush. I have two of their complexion brushes and one is definitely fluffier and better than the other. I also hear that the Sonia Kashuk brush sets are worse than the individual brushes though.
ReplyDeleteHao | haodoyoungo
I love these types of posts! I'm not really a huge fan of Neutrogena skincare products, I don't think we have the makeup line in Aus (??). I bought a brush from ELF a loooong time ago and it sheds like crazy! I don't even know why I keep using it or how it's lasted this long!
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting what you said about the brushes, as I probably really have no clue what a good brush is like (because I really haven't used very many).
ReplyDeletevvnightingale.blogspot.co.uk
The ELF lipstick does look nice in the tube but I suppose looks can be deceiving! The claims of that Neutrogena foundation probably would have led me to buy it... it's just annoying how some foundations oxidize! Have you tried their other Healthy Skin foundation? I'm curious about that one.
ReplyDeleteSheri | Behind The Frames
I like this post a lot! Helps me avoid these products in the future! haha. I get so sad when foundations oxidize...It's so annoying ):
ReplyDeleteVery nice post! I hate when a product you wanted so badly, turns out to be horrible :(
ReplyDeleteI'm actually quite the fan of SK's brushes!! I MEAN, HOPEFULLY IT'S IMPROVED SINCE THREE YEARS AGO or that set must be utter crap! Her small eyeshadow brush is one of my favourites for applying eyeshadow, and I love it so much that I've bought multiples of it! On the other hand though...her eyeshadows are kinda crappy. Bought her liquid eyeshadows and they are duds :(
ReplyDeleteReally interesting! It sucks spending your hard earned money on dud products! My worst buy was Benefit's Push up Liner, so flakey and hard to apply! x
ReplyDeleteMiss Imogen Smith
I usually find ELF pretty disappointing so I've just strayed from the brand. Great idea on the "unfavorites" though - really puts into perspectives things that might not be so great which is hard to distinguish in today's marketing madness.
ReplyDelete-le jolie
I've tried the elf lip balm and wasn't a fan either! Just not the right shade. Their matte lip colours are really good though - I do find them very hit and miss! xx
ReplyDeleteJasmin Charlotte | UK Lifestyle Blog
Elf is pretty hit or miss but worth trying! I hear the blushes are great but I Iove their Pro brushes. I don't know if they still have that line, but I bought a stippling brush 3-4 years ago and it's still as good as new! It was only 2-3 pounds!
ReplyDeleteI can't stand foundations that oxidize so I know how you feel. Neutrogena doesn't sell their makeup in Australia but I really wish I could get my hands on their lip crayons.
ReplyDeletehttp://themakeup-gypsy.blogspot.com.au/
I've always been a bit skeptical about the 'lip balms' those make-up brands come up with, because I've always wondered in what way it really cares for your lips. Thanks for warning us about these products, I really like this series n_n
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Manisha! That comment means a lot to me. I have to give all credits to the wonderful Phil at Pipdig though for the blog design :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I was a bit bummed out as I heard so many people rave about the Sonia Kashuk brushes! Hopefully, I can find one that works out and give the brand a chance again :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoy them! I find them very informative as everyone raves about so many products that it's hard to see what's really worth the purchase (I wish I could have a never-ending stash of money!) Neutrogena has a really nice creamy grapefruit cleanser that I love, but sadly this foundation just wasn't great. Oh my, that's terrible that it's shedding like that! I haven't had a problem with shedding yet, but a few of the Sonia Kashuk brushes in this post are so coarse that they actually hurt my skin when I try to apply makeup :(
ReplyDeleteNo worries, I'm honestly not the biggest expert when it comes to makeup brushes as well :) For the longest time, I preferred using my fingers over a brush when applying foundation. However, I have found using a beauty blender ensures a seamless application. There would be times when I would leave the house and see my face under natural light only to realize that my fingers hadn't blended the foundation out completely, haha. Learned my lesson after that!
ReplyDeleteYes, I hate it when the looks of a product can be completely different from the product itself! Seriously, those claims sounded absolutely perfect, and just what I needed when I was in that teenage acne stage of life LOL I haven't tried their Healthy Skin foundation though I have heard lots of positive things about it!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it! Yes, I love reading other bloggers' so called "unfavorites" as there are often so many reviews on products they love so it's hard to screen out the bad ones. Oxidizing is sooo annoying especially when the foundation itself is nice :(
ReplyDelete