Sometimes you come across products that just don’t work out for one reason or another. While I usually try to avoid these, a negative review is a good change of pace now and then. Today’s post is dedicated to makeup products that didn’t live up to my expectations. Keep in mind, even though I found these lacking, it doesn’t mean they won’t work for someone else, as most things in beauty are YMMV.
Number one on the list is L’Oreal Infallible Matte-Matic Mechanical Eyeliner [$8.99, available here]. Love the idea, hate the execution. L’Oreal has some great eyeliners, however, these were all duds. The formula is dry, hard, and crumbles on the skin. The pencil tugs on the eyelid, making it almost painful to apply. While these do last throughout the day, they also tend to flake off and those dark crumbs end up all over your cheeks and eyelids.
Number two is the new L’Oreal Voluminous Superstar Red Carpet Black Flash Reflecting Mascara [$10.99, available here]. I love that it comes with a lash primer, however, you are essentially paying for half a mascara here, since both ends are supposed to be used at the same time. I know it doesn’t sound too bad, but that isn’t my main gripe here. My problem is this mascara tends to emphasize the flaws I try to conceal. If you look closer, you’ll notice that one of my eyes has a bald spot where lashes don’t grow. L’Oreal Voluminous Superstar made that spot even more noticeable, which makes me feel very self-conscious. It also makes my lashes stick together, and I am just not into that spidery trend [is it still a trend?]. Plus, the color of the mascara is not actually black as advertised – it’s dark grey.
Number three is L’Oreal Infallible Black Velvet Eye Liner [$9.99, available here]. To sum it up, this was a waste of a really great liquid eyeliner formula on a bad applicator. The color payoff is incredible, and the line stays dark and glossy for most of the day before it starts to dull around the 9 hour mark. However, that large doefoot paddle, which is more suited for a lip gloss than an eyeliner, was just awkward to use. I can see how this liner would be great for people who like to rock super bold and very thick eyeliner look, but Black Velvet Eye Liner fell short on its promise to draw thin lines as well. Even using the thin side of the applicator the result was still thick, uneven, and impossible to make sharp edges with unless you used tape. In which case there’s really no point in buying this eyeliner at all.
BOTTOM LINE:
Like I said at the beginning, I simply wanted to share my thoughts on products that I didn’t consider covering at all, because they didn’t work out for me. Sometimes the things you think of as shortcomings could be something another person was hoping for in a beauty product, which is what makes the entire concept of reviewing makeup and skincare kind of biased. I realize that there will be plenty of people who will use and love these, so I simply wanted to give you guys a heads up on things to expect if you do come across these goodies at your local drugstores and feel like giving them a try.
What was the last beauty product that left you disappointed? Have you tried any of these products, and did they work for you? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclosure: This post features products received for editorial consideration and may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to Disclosures & Content Use page.
