In the midst of the craziness that has been 2016 so far, I almost forgot to include a post on what products didn’t work for me in 2015. I’ve done posts on my top beauty and non-beauty products of the year, so I feel its only fair to include my letdowns as well!
I must say that I sometimes enjoy reading about what products didn’t work for others more than hearing about those they love. It’s always so interesting to hear why a product doesn’t work for someone, and I have way more trust for Bloggers/YouTubers who do so. It drives me nuts when their reason for not discussing disappointing products is that because “it’s too negative.” I mean, how often does a product work for absolutely everyone? Almost never. /end rant.
So in the spirit of “negativity”, here are the products that didn’t work for me or I just didn’t enjoy in 2015! Note that I have very sensitive, acne-prone skin I’ve grouped these into 2 categories – those that caused breakouts and other. I had reviewed about half of these products at some point last year, so I included a “Coles Notes Review” that lists the highlights of my review, as well as a link back to my original review/post if you want more detailed information. The other half of products mentioned were ones that I forgot to do a review on, or ran out of time to do prior to the end of the year.
CAUSED BREAKOUTS
I realized that I purchased this foundation back in the summer, used it for a week and then returned it and never mentioned a peep about in on my blog. And I was really sad about it, because I think this is a fabulous full-cover foundation. It covers REALLY well, was a great match to my skin tone and made my skin look almost flawless…until I started breaking out that is. One of the ingredients in this is Isononyl Isononanoate and I suspect I’m allergic to it (given that it’s the common denominator in other products I’ve used that caused a similar reaction).
While this foundation provided fantastic coverage it also had a tendency to cake up really easily/quickly. I found that using my Beauty Blender really aided in avoiding this. It is quite thick so I didn’t need more than one pump – a little goes a long way. While I’m disappointed this didn’t work for me, if you don’t have sensitive skin and are looking for a full-coverage foundation, this could work for you!
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation
I purchased this at the VIB Rouge sale back in November and given the positive experiences I had with Too Faced Products this year, I was very excited to try this out. I had heard/read mixed reviews on it but I wanted to see what it was like for myself.
Unfortunately this was a great big fail for me. While it looked flawless right after I applied it, within a couple of hours my face was a greasy mess. It didn’t matter if I set it with a powder, used a mattifying primer, or a setting spray – the result was the same. On top of that, it also made me break out. 🙁 I think if you have dry skin this could probably work wonders on you, but it wasn’t for me.
Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation
Coles notes review – Separated on my face, highlighted dry patches, caused major breakouts.
More detailed review here.
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder Pressed Powder:
Coles notes review – Controlled oil well but caused major breakouts.
More detailed review here.
This was on my July favourites because it was one of the few cleansers that I’ve tried that actually removed all my makeup (including eye makeup) AND it didn’t dry out my skin at all. After just over a month of using it I realized it was the causing some small (but consistent) breakouts. I stopped using it and it went away. Sigh.
More detailed review here.
Coles notes review: Caused some breakouts around my mouth…but I haven’t considered suing them for my reaction to it (haha!).
More detailed review here.
OTHER
Coles notes review – Couldn’t get these to blend properly nor last on my skin.
Full review here.
Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector
Coles notes review – didn’t mattify, dries up really quickly and left a white residue behind.
More detailed review here.
Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner
This definitely made my pores smaller but left me oily by the end of the day. Thankfully this is a sample size and I used points @ Sephora to get it.
Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Complexion Primer Potion
Coles notes review: Left me greasy and oily by the end of the day, and left a white cast on my skin.
Full review here.
Rimmel Brow This Way Brow Setting Gel
Coles notes review – This made my eyebrows orange, it had a horrible formula and the brush was way too big.
More detailed review here.
NYC Big Bold & Precise Felt Tip Eyeliner
This is one of those gimmicky eyeliners that has two different tips – one that’s supposed to be thin and precise and the other that’s thicker and dramatic. I can’t get either side to work – it’s patchy and watery and smudgy. And it doesn’t last very long. Thankfully I only paid around $5 for this so I’m not too heartbroken.
Essence Super Fine Eyeliner Pen
For $2.99, I really can’t complain too much about this eyeliner pen. It’s super black and has impressive lasting power BUT the tip is super thin and damages easily. As a result it becomes too flexible and you can’t get a precise line with it. So while this one didn’t work great, Essence’s Original Eyeliner Pen has all the benefits of this one but without the easily-damaged tip.
Fructus Full & Plush Fortifying Shampoo
Coles notes review – Actually had the opposite effect of volume on my fine hair.
More detailed review here.
Coles notes review – did nothing to soak up greasy roots and doesn’t even compare to my beloved Batiste.
More detailed review here.
Kirkland Signature Daily Facial Towelettes (available in-store)
I discovered these @ Costco late last year and I think I paid $15 for a large box of them. It seemed like such a deal and because I’m generally impressed with most things from Costco so I couldn’t resist giving these a try. Sadly these are probably some of the worst face wipes I’ve ever used. They are so heavily fragranced and they dried out my skin like crazy. And now I’m stuck with multiple packs of them. I may give some away and I’ll use the rest to clean off my makeup vanity and swatches.
Dove Original Dry Spray Antiperspirant
Coles notes review – not effective, heavily scented,
More detailed review here.
Even though this is a pretty extensive list, I still feel like I forgot a few. I was kind of disappointed with how many products didn’t work for me, especially those that made me break out. I know I have sensitive skin, but it can pretty discouraging. The good thing is it really makes me pay attention to ingredient lists!
What were your product letdowns for 2015?
Thanks for reading!
I like your new blog banner! So cheerful looking! 😀
Man, you need to get in on that eos lawsuit, ha!
You forgot the worst thing about the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder Pressed Powder – that cheap ass packaging! 😛
Ooh I received a sample of that Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector. I’ll have to see how my experience is. That’s why I love samples! Try before you buy.
Too bad the COLAB didn’t work for you – I’ve tried the volume one and it’s amazing. My favourite dry shampoo, hands down.
You remind me of my draft post on product regrets, I gotta get on that before I toss all those items out!
Thanks! I’ve been working on it for weeks and finally I was like, Ok I need to stop fiddling around with it and just get it up. 🙂
I’ve heard some good things about the Colab dry shampoo, maybe I need to try a different type? I loved the smell though!
Cerave is the woooorst! I’m glad to hear another take on Kat Von D’s lock it foundation everyone else seems to really just love her stuff. I also don’t appreciate eos lip balms. I think they’re all hype.
I actually LOVE the Cerave PM Moisturizing Lotion…but that face wash was definitely not for me! I feel like Kat Von D is a little over-hyped. I tried her liquid eyeliner last year too and I hated it. Thanks for reading! 🙂
I also had bad luck with a few of these products!!! Makes me want to do a similar post .. For some reason 2015 was the year of returns for me 😛 I returned a heck of a lot of products !
Oh you should! Love reading posts like that! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Of course:)