Friday, 25 January 2013

Overrated.

Beauty bloggers and vloggers often talk about products which aren't worth the hype, that they have bought into, believed the mass hysteria about and have been royally disappointed by when they actually get them in their grasp. We've all been there, it's a hazard of the trade, and I wanted to share with you some of the products that I think are overrated. Now, let me preface this by saying that I don't think any of these products are bad, per say, but, I don't think that they are worth the rapturous applause and OTT reaction that we, myself included, gave them.



MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - Stereo Rose 

I heard about MAC's Stereo Rose before I even knew what a beauty blog was. It is one of those cult beauty products that is so rarely re-released that it causes a stampede to the counter everytime in crops up in a collection and, once sold out, commands massive prices on eBay. I bought mine about three years ago and, while I do like it, I don't love it. It is a beautifully rich rose-gold shade that works as a blush and bronzer in one but, it's just not all that. It has a tendency to bring out the red in people's skintones and, because it is an MSF and, thus, shimmery, can highlight pores.



Clarins Beauty Flash Balm*

I have major love for Clarins as a brand. The French cosmetics powerhouse gets it so right so often. With that in mind, I was eager to try their famed Beauty Flash Balm; the cult (there's that word again!) face primer that is basically said to do everything on the tin plus clean the dishes and iron your clothes. My sister and my mother swear by the stuff but, for me, I rate their Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer over it given its Polyfila-esque qualities.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Don't shoot me! I know I am in the minority here but, I have never been thoroughly happy with my Urban Decay Naked palette. It's not that it's bad in any way, shape or form but, it is not as mindblowingly brilliant as it is purported to be. I find the shadows to be too soft, many are crumbly with heavy fallout and I find them really difficult to work with when compared to my MAC shadows. The shade range is beautiful and I am extremely tempted by the Naked Basics palette, despite not needing it but, the first Naked palette left me cold and sits in the back of my eyeshadow drawer.


Chanel Nail Polish

This will probably come as no surprise to anyone who owns a Chanel nail polish but, these are among the worst value nail polishes I have come across due purely to their lack of weartime. Each season there is a massive furore over Chanel's new "it" nail polish and for years I bought into the hype, spending €21 just to have my polish, albeit beautiful, chip after one days wear. If Chanel could just improve the formula of the polish, I would happily fork out the money for their unique nail polish shades but, until then, my collection remains as you see it here.


Clarins 3 Dot Liner*

Poor Clarins is getting a bit of a hard time here but, again, I do love the brand overall. However, the 3 Dot Liner, promising to make creating the perfect cat-eye easy has never worked for me. Bloggers galore proclaimed this to be the bees knees of eyeliners and I was so excited to receive it at an event but, I don't find it to be black enough or that it gives me enough control so, it's a thumbs down from me.


NARS - Laguna and Orgasm*

These two products have the same kind of cult following as Stereo Rose and I was so excited when I got the chance to try them. While I do like and use both shades, especially during the summer, they both left me a little deflated and flat the first time I tried them. Given the constant hype surrounding them, I believed that they would revolutionise my blusher and bronzer life but, sadly, they are just like any other hundreds of products out there.


Do you have any overrated products?




Posted by Sinead at 07:30
Labels: , , , , ,
Reactions: 

36 comments:

  1. I hated the Beauty Flash Balm, I ended up swapping it for something else, Tarte cheek stains, was DYING to get my hands on them but when I did I wasn't blown away

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I'm surprised re: the Tarte cheek stains as the brand is so good generally but, just goes to show how many hits and misses there are!

      Delete

    2. There really sticky, they look nice on but not when your hair is stuck to your face

      Delete

  2. Ha ha - read this going yep, yep, yep (sound like a small poodle don't I) but couldn't see the excitement about Flash Balm when I used it, bought Rouge Noir nail polish and found it lumpy and have the Urban Decay Alice In Wonderland set moldering in a drawer somewhere. I find Urban Decay shadows good but too glittery and who wants to look like they're going to a roller disco on the school run?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. That's precisely my problem with the UD shadows!

      Delete

  4. I've heard about chanel polish chipping like there's no tomorrow. I have to say though I am madly in love with Chanel Frenzy but I cannot justify the price

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. They are lovely to have but, by God does it break your heart when they chip mere hours later!

      Delete

  5. The MAC Stereo Rose looks gorgeous but I do feel, although I love MAC that some of the products do get unnecessary hype and when you look forward to trying something so much you kind of let yourself in for a let down don't you. I haven't tried the UD Naked palette as I prefer to wear brighter shadow colours but I'm always intrigued about the hype behind it all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I totally agree Fiona! Apparently the MUA palette is exactly like the UD Naked so, if you're intrigued but, don't want to be out of pocket, maybe check that out?!

      Delete

  6. Ugh COMPLETELY agree with the Chanel polish and especially Nars Orgasm, I don't actually even like it- just really sheer colour with loads of gold glitter :/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Totally! It's a real shame with the Chanel polish as in the bottle, they look incredible!

      Delete

  7. Hey there from the USOFA! I really have to say that the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes are seriously overrated! I bout one for myself and one for a friend in Ireland and I true mine, first off, it doesn't last that 12 hour time that it's boasted for. While the payout it good, I still have other top favorites with HIGHER payout. My BH Cosmetics ten color pro blush pallet (as it says) has TEN colors and I got it for 12$ USD on sale and I seriously can see myself purchasing another for a YouTube giveaway. 25$USD is just too much for a blush that I feel seems chalky. Not to mention the flimsy and overly plain packaging on the Tarte blushes. I love simplicity in a packaging...to an extent, but theirs is just so boring looking. The plastic is cheap too. Not worth the money.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hi! I actually love the Tarte blushes but, as I have moaned about constantly, the packaging is AWFUL! Could they not put a little bit of imagination into the compact? I haven't tried any BH Cosmetics but, the products seem to get great reviews!

      Delete

  8. Great post, I'm currently trying out the Nars eyeshadows and they're leaving me a little cold:(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Oh no really? I have always contemplated buying them and then said...nope, I really don't need more! Glad I haven't given in now!

      Delete

  9. i tried the bourjois version of the 3 dot liner & i'm glad i didn't spend extra on the clarins one because its one of the worst products i've ever tried! it just made my liner look lumpy. wish i hadn't bought nars laguna either xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I find NARS Laguna to be just a little muddy or something?

      Delete

  10. I really like my naked palette, I have to admit. As for over rated, I seem to get sucked in every time there's a 'revolutionary' new foundation. I then throw it out after a couple of uses and go back to my €4 Essence mousse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I know, I think I am in the minority with the whole Naked palette thing!

      Delete

  11. Definitely agree with the Beauty Flash Balm and the Naked palette, they just didn't do anything for me. What left me disappointed was Hoola bronzer (I love Nars Laguna actually) and Lush Lip Scrub.. meh!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. It's good to know it's not just me! They aren't bad but...they just aren't amazing!

      Delete

  12. Totally agree with MAC Stereo Rose, I swatched it instore- and the hype? for what? They have so many nicer MSF's! I feel it's only getting hype really because it's 'MAC'. Great post, haven't tried the Beauty Flash Balm, may think twice before I buy it now! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I think the MAC aspect has a lot to do with it but, I also think that when it first came out, it was new and beautiful and revolutionary. Nowadays, it's just one of the same! Definitely swatch or get a sample of the Beauty Flash Balm, as I mentioned my mam and sister love it so, it could just be me!

      Delete

  13. There's not many products that I think are really overhyped but I do kind of agree with you on the Urban Decay Naked palette, I do have it and I use it most times that I wear eyeshadow, however there are some seriously good dupes out there (MUA for instance) that do the exact same job at a fraction of the price.

    I think as a blogger it's so important to keep readers updated on your feelings of products, you might rave about something and then 6 months down the line your skin changes or whatever and you just don't get along with it anymore... I think it's so important to let people know your bad experiences as well as the good. I often see bloggers raving about stuff and then it never enters their 'favourites' or whatever, so it can't have been that good can it!!

    Phewf, rant over! haha

    Jade | Beauty Butterfly Blog

    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I agree totally Jade. Not everything can be perfect and, from my experience, brands appreciated feedback; good and bad, in order to improve their products etc.

      Delete

  14. I love these type of posts! I have stereo rose and whilst I am glad I have it, I also think it's a bit MEH
    Charli @ Charli-dot-dot-dot.blogspot.com

    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I'm the same, it's one of those collectors products that I'm happy to have but, it ain't all that!!

      Delete

  15. Great post, it's nice to hear a real review and not just a babble of fake praise from someone trying to get free products!

    Jennifer x

    artstylelove.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thanks Jennifer! We feel the same way about reviews that are over the top full of praise! Not everything can be perfect!

      Delete

  16. I find Naked brilliant, the colours really work for me and I don't find them difficult to use or blend...and I have used every shade out!

    ReplyDelete

  17. I was going to take the plunge this year and buy my first Chanel nail polish but think I'll pass now and stick to the cheaper alternatives!x

    ReplyDelete

  18. I thought I was that only person who felt this way about the Naked palette. Completely over hyped.

    ReplyDelete

  19. No not the Naked Palette I swear by it.

    http://abullettothehead.blogspot.ie

    xo

    ReplyDelete

  20. I must admit the Urban Decay naked palette looks intriguing but i know MUA came out with a similar one and i have heard raves on it, and with that being said sometimes you just have to go with something that is less hyped!

    Stefy ♥x
    Fashion + Beauty
    Blog.StefyPuglisevich.com

    ReplyDelete

Leave a comment and be sure to check back because we always reply!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
 
Site Design by Designer Blogs