This is probably going to sound very contradictory because I am in the reviewing business, but what works for me, may not necessarily work for you. Beauty is so subjective. Everyone’s tastes, preferences and not to mention, skin, are so completely different.
When a product seems to work so well for others and is so widely loved in the beauty community, you expect it to find it’s way into your heart, like it has done for everybody else. Which is why it is so utterly disappointing when it doesn’t live up to those very high-expectations. Here are 5 cult-favourite products that left me wondering what all the fuss was about.
Georgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
The hype for this foundation is real, which is why it was so so so bloody disappointing that it didn’t work for me. Luminous Silk looks terrible on my skin. Despite having skin that leans more oily, I love me a dewy foundation. I’ve worked out a few ways to really make them last on me and some of my absolute favourites are actually foundations targeted towards dry skin. But this, this is just a whole different ball-game. As soon as I apply Luminous Silk, there seems to be texture where there was none before, pores are enhanced and the foundations just looks like it is sitting on the surface of my skin. After a few hours, the foundation is literally slipping around on my face and breaking up. I look like a hot mess. No good for a luxury $99 (!!!) foundation. I’ve tried so many different combos to try and get this to work for me. I’ve been desperate! But no luck. I hate it. It looks putrid. What a waste of $100.
Mac Cosmetics Velvet Teddy Lipstick
This lipstick shade that is seriously adored by so many. I see people wear it and I think to myself, damn that shade is so flattering – what a perfect deep-nude. But on me, it looks like actual poo. I don’t know if it’s my undertones, hair colour or what, but Velvet Teddy does not look cute on me. It puzzles me to see it work for almost everybody, but me. I come back to it all the time, hoping that this time it’ll be different. This time it’ll be my perfect shade, but it never is.
Also, the MAC matte lipstick formula is pretty trash, TBH. It feels heavy and dry on the lips and the longevity isn’t great. There are much better options if you specifically want a matte lipstick bullet.
Alpha H Liquid Gold
If you’ve known me for any length of time, you’d know how deliriously obsessed I am with chemical exfoliators. I haven’t met many that I don’t like, but unfortunately, I do not like this raved about product. Alpha H Liquid Gold claims to resurface the skin and radically improve the appearance of tired and dull pigmented skin. I have emptied not one, but two bottles wanting to see the overwhelmingly positive results that the masses go on about, but alas, here we are. Where other glycolic-based products have worked wonders for my skin, this did nothing but leave behind a sticky, greasy residue and more blemishes than usual. No thank you.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Re(cover) Perfect Coconut Setting Mist
Marc Beauty’s Coconut Collection is loved and adored in the beauty community and I for one, love a few of the products, but this setting spray it an absolute train wreck. From the formula to the cheap packaging, but most of all, the god-awful spray. This spits and splutters the formula all over your face in giant uneven droplets. It reminds me more of a water-pistol than an actual setting mist. The formula itself eats away at my makeup and, in turn, leaves it patchy and uneven. It completely ruins any makeup look. Another disappointing purchase.
GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment
This little white tub has been widely coveted in the beauty industry for as long as I can remember. Boasting impressive reviews and a ‘revolutionary’ formula, Supermud certainly does sound like that miracle cure-all treatment, but not for me. My skin is really hardy. It puts up with a lot being a beauty blogger, and it typically does not react or become sensitised, which is why it was strange when a product that isn’t known to tingle, really stung my skin. Now before you go getting a bee in your bonnet, yes, I know that was just my reaction and I shouldn’t completely write off a product nor advise you against purchasing it on that alone. Which is why I have more reasons. Not only did this sting my face, leaving it red and blotchy, but it also completely stripped it of moisture. My poor oily skin was parched, which made it up the oil production to compensate – not cute. Also, this mask is really expensive for what it is, a glorified mud mask. There are much much much cheaper, and more gentle options that still give you that famous spotty, pore-cleaning effect.
What widely loved beauty products didn’t work for you?
Chat soon,
Camille
*DISCLAIMER – Although these products were provided for my consideration, all views and opinions are 100% honest and my own. No sponsorship or money has been provided for my review. All discount codes are not affiliated unless specifically stated. All opinions are based purely on my own experiences. I try my hardest to provide my readers with accurate information, but I am not by any means a professional, nor am I an expert. Please do not confuse my opinions with professional advice
You are not the first person I have heard say the coconut Marc Jacobs Setting spray! I do not get the hype on Supermud Pixi and Spehora have similar masks that are practically dupes that work much better without stripping the oils from your skin.
Author
There are so many cheaper alternatives to the Supermud mask!
Completely agreed about Velvet Teddy! Doesn’t match me at all and I really badly want it to!
Author
But you suit every colour!
I am so gutted for you with the Armani Luminius silk.. 100 bucks is a lot and you expect amazing.. it’s good in my skin but I’ll admit it’s not omg lasting.
Velvet Teddy is a fave and I have it but it’s not a deep nude on me it’s practically my lip colour in winter so it’s great for work bc it’s not obvious however in summer it’s abandoned… i agree with the MAC matte .. I love Ruby Woo BUT it’s nit easy to apply its catches and when it’s wears off, it looks terrible reapplied.
For me my Chanel Soleil bronzer is my 👎🏼 I love it only if I’m wearing no makeup.. it doesn’t show up on top of foundation and they say it’s universal.. it certainly isn’t
Author
I am gutted about Luminous Silk too 😥 But oh well.
It’s so funny cause I my Chanel Tan De Soleil. It’s a fave here.
It just goes to show how nothing will work for everyone. X
Have you tried mixing Velvet Teddy with a lighter nude lipstick or applying a gloss over top to make it less drying? I bought the mini after Christmas and tried the shade for the first time today. I usually go for pink nudes but I want to try wearing it a few different ways with a few different looks before I write it off x
Author
It looks like I’ve been eating a chocolate paddlepop and haven’t wiped my mouth haha. It’s so dark brown that the tones just don’t suit me 😫
Pink tones are much more flattering on me I think
I’m surprised about the MAC lipstick, everyone raves about them
Candice | NatalyaAmour.com
Author
I love the other formulas, but the matte bullet lippies are shocking for the price
Drunk Elephant C firma serum…!! I have been through 3 (😱) of these because everyone raves about it and I’ve finally accepted this does not work for me!
Author
Oh no haha. At least you can say you gave it your best shot x
I hear that a lot about Velvet Teddy. It works for me fine, but I have friends who hate the colour on them.
If there is one cult product that I cannot get to work for me, it’s Benefit Mascaras. There must be something in the formula that I react badly to because every time I try one, my eye waters like crazy.
Author
I can’t say I’m a HUGE fan of Benefit mascaras either. I mean, they’re fine on me but nothing special and not worth the price tag x
I love hearing unpopular opinions! I feel exactly the same way about Velvet Teddy, and this made me think of the shade Teddy – Lingerie Lipstick by NYX…That one was also super popular but it looked soo bad on my skin!
Author
Yeah, I find it refreshing to hear what products haven’t worked for people. X
So sad that other people do not love Velvet Teddy as much as I do! Seriously one of my go to shades, it looks great with any shadow for me! I also love the formulation for their mattes!
Author
Just goes to show how subjective makeup is. It really does work for so many people, unfortunately not for me. Whirl or Mehr are better suited for my complexion x