Starting January 2014, I decided to implement a rating system to help make the reviews more objective. All products will be personally tested and assigned a final grade, based on firsthand experience. Regardless of how the item was acquired [whether it’s a PR sample or was purchased by us], the review will always be fair and based on the company’s claims about the product.
Glamorable! makes no warranties as to the effectiveness or quality of any product. As with any product, the individual user’s opinion and experience may vary. Comments concerning reviews from users about their experiences are encouraged and welcome.
The products will be tried in five different categories:
Formula – This refers to how the product feels and smells, as well as any other tactile sensations that occur during use.
Application – This refers to how easy it was to apply the product, as well as other application-based characteristics such as feathering, evenness and ease of removal.
Pigmentation – This refers to color intensity in the formula, and whether it’s accurate to the company’s claims. For complexion products, such as foundations and concealers, this rating will also represent coverage.
Longevity – This refers to how long the product wears taking into account the company’s claims. It includes characteristics like chipping, creasing, smudging, fading, etc.
Based on my personal experience, here’s the average lasting time for some popular types of beauty products:
- Blush: 7-8 hours
- Eyeshadow: 6-8 hours (without a base), 8-10 hours (with a base)
- Eyeliner: 9 hours
- Foundation: 7-8 hours
- Highlighter: 7-8 hours
- Lipgloss: 2-3 hours for sheer color; 3-4 hours for all others
- Lipstick: 3-4 hours for sheer color; 5 hours average; reds and dark shades 6 hours
- Nail Polish: 5 days (with a base/top coat), 4 days (without a base/top coat)
Product – This refers to company’s claims and how well the reviewed product meets them, as well as how it compares to other similar products on the market.
At the end of the trial period I will sum up the scores that the featured product received in different categories and divide it by the number of possible points (which is 50 at this time) to receive a percentage number. That number is then used to assign a grade where A means outstanding product; B stands for good product with a few things to improve; C is assigned to average products; D stands for below average/mediocre; and finally F is a product that completely failed to meet any and all expectations.
99-100% = A+
93-98% = A
90-92 = A-
87-89% = B+
83-86% = B
80-82% = B-
77-79% = C+
73-76% = C
70-72% = C-
67-69% = D+
63-66% = D
60-62% = D-
59 and lower = F
Due to the complex nature of skin care, it’s excluded from this rating system, since everyone has very different needs, sensitivities, allergies and other conditions, that heavily impact the choice of products.