74 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Erica Avatar

Becca Ever Matte Priming Perfector. It doesn’t do anything for me. Doesn’t keep me matte. Doesn’t prolong the wear of my foundation. Meh

Kelley Avatar

This doesn’t work for me either. Double meh!

I’m still on the hunt for a good primer for my old skin. I’m open to suggestions!

Erica Avatar

I’m thinking their just isn’t a face primer for oily skin or that my oily skin just doesn’t require a primer. I’ve given up on them. I do swear by eyeshadow primer though

Deborah S. Avatar

This is one of those questions that could get you in trouble because a product that doesn’t work for one person may be someone else’s holy grail !! The most recent product I purchased that I was disappointed in is the Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara. It flaked within an hour of my applying and I had raccoon eyes at about the 2 hour mark. I had read so many glowing reviews and was expecting it to be the perfect mascara and it so wasn’t, for me.

Mariella Avatar

Hahaha, not in this case, Deborah S!!!! That mascara was my choice too. But, you know, I think here at Temptalia is one place you won’t get into trouble because I think most of us know that we all have different experiences but also different expectations and needs. Personally, even when someone hates something I love or loves something I found dreadful, I still find it so interesting to read about and discuss these things (way more interesting than stuff like which brand of tires to buy or if/when the price of gas is going to fall or rise!) I’m so much rather talk about makeup. Maybe it’s a type of escapism from those other issues but it sure is more interesting to me.

ShirlJ Avatar

I find that with trial sizes, too! Esp. mascaras. Perhaps the smaller amount of air in the travel/trial size packages keeps them better preserved!

Erica Avatar

Well it is asking for your opinion. I answered with a very hyped product that just didn’t live up to the hype for ME. If someone is upset with my answer, then that is on them. It is just makeup. Not that serious:)

Lydia Avatar

It always cracks me up when someone gets upset over other people not liking products they like. It’s just makeup and personal preference, not an attack on someone’s morals and values. I actually love discussing the pros and cons of products because I think it’s interesting to see the range of experience.

Nancy T Avatar

Too many mascaras and liquid pen type eyeliners to count! Just a few I’ll mention: Benefit They’re Real, Too Faced Better Than Sex and Lash Injection, Nyx Epic Ink Liner (lasts really well, easy to use, but it bleeds into every tiny line! Including ones you didn’t know existed!). But that’s okay, I already have some trusty faves!

Neonails Avatar

I had the same problem with the NYX liner! I wanted so badly for it to be a dupe for KvD’s Trooper, only it was way too watery! I never have a problem with KvD’s formula bleeding. Plus my NYX liner seemed to have some kind of production issue because periodically some of the product would well up right below the base of the pen. Not good. 🙁

L Avatar

Funny, I actually had that problem with the KvD one and gave up on it! I switched to the physician’s formula in the silver pen – yes it’s drier and less intense …which keeps it from being a runny mess on me! I have too many lines at the corner of my eye for the inkier ones I guess?

Ameerah Avatar

If you are referring to the one from last year, I agree 100% with you. I am glad I bought it after the price went down and I used a 20% off coupon on it. It came at an inexpensive price for me. I only like certain shades in it.

Pearl Avatar

The jury is still out because I’ve only used it twice, but so far Sisley Black Rose mask. Maybe I need to give it a few more times? I like it fine but so far it hasn’t been anything over the top or set apart from any other masks. I’ll definitely continue to use it (up) but doubt I’ll re-purchase.

maria Avatar

Pearl I agree. I purchased it once because of all the rave reviews. Also, I received it at 20% off but I don’t see what the wow factor is about this mask and the price is exorbitant. I never repurchases it either.

Linda Avatar

Suggestion…Put it on as a nighttime moisturizer with a heavier hand than usual and sleep in it. That is one recommended way to use it. I have a big sample of it, which is how I have come to try it. It will plump up your skin and leave a nice finish if you leave it on overnight — in my experience. Otherwise, I think it’s “just OK” too. 🙂

Pearl Avatar

Hmmm. . . I didn’t think of that. I will give that a shot! I have to be careful though because I have normal to oily skin, but still worth a shot, especially in winter when it is cold and I get dry. ?

Anne Avatar

I think probably Becca Champagne Pop. It’s not a bad highlighter by any means, and I use it often, but it’s no better than the other Becca highlighters like Moonstone (which I think is a lot less prone to falling apart) and there are other good options out there. For me, I bought it after swatching a bunch of Becca stuff, as I’m not a Jaclyn Hill fan (just not my style in terms of makeup and her voice bothers me) so the only thing the hype did for me was make me aware of Becca as a brand, which I’m glad of as I have several of their products now. But Champagne Pop isn’t necessarily the standout product from them.

Brenda Avatar

I completely agree, it’s so overhyped. I picked it up last year in the Jaclyn Hill face palette and I just don’t love it like I should. I actually have a sample of the liquid and I like it better than the pressed powder.

faw Avatar

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance highlighter. It’s not awful by any stretch, just isn’t the most economical product for me.

I feel like if I want a subtle highlight it’s more economical (for me) to just lightly apply a stronger/more pigmented highlighter rather than this one where I seem to *only* be able to wear it subtly. Even packing it on doesn’t really produce a strong highlight for those times when I want that look. Whereas my more pigmented Becca highlighter can be worn sheer or intense depending on what brush I use and how much I tap my brush to it.

Soleil Avatar

Same here! It is a beauty though, feels so luxurious just by looking at it from the compact. But…I love the Essence Highlighter more by a mile! Would you believe? Maybe it’s the shade as well. Essence seem to give my face a healthier glow whereas the LM one makes me look washed out. They feel exactly the same you’d think they have the exact formulation. The price difference is far out!

Ariella's Makeup Avatar

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid lipsticks!! Some were good but so many were terrible! Crumbling into my mouth as soon as I applied them! Yuck! And Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette! Sooo over hyped!!

kjh Avatar

Oh, my, totally agree w/that one. One balm layer for kvd or cp, and good to go. ABH, forget it. Either it doesn’t work with the balms I’ve tried…or primers either, or there is a problem w/my personal chemistry. It scrunges up, gets gritty. There is zero way to apply it evenly, even with waiting time, for balm. Patchy, dry, irritating, uneven. By this time, I expect colors to vary vastly from what is hyped/reported, but the formula….oy, vay! Don’t think I’ve cosdnaed it; all I remember was no personal sensitivities. Too bad, their color library is great. Glad I only got one, so idk if others are ok. Not willing to find out.

Brenda Avatar

That stinks! Their formula is actually my favorite. Can’t stand Stila (too thick) or Colourpop (hello Sahara desert dry). I have KVD & Too Faced which work with primer but the ABH for me is comfortable.

Ariella's Makeup Avatar

So I bought one to start with, Soft Lilac, a gorgeous color and it worked REALLY well! It lasted through eating and a lot of kissing without it getting all over my bf’s face. Then I bought Dusty Rose. Same thing. BUT then I went crazy and bought A LOT (like 13) more all at once thinking the hype is real and they’re the best but sadly many were awful. I’m about to do a video for youtube on them with a review/wear test and which ones are great and which ones are terrible.
And yes, same about the lip balm. I can always layer lip balm over any liquid lipstick but with most of these it was a gritty mess!

Veerle Avatar

I feel the same way about the Jouer Lipcremes. They aren’t longlasting at all.. even after drinking coffee I have to fix the way my lips look when wearing Jouer.

Also the Cover FX Enhancer Drops. I really wanted to love them because they are so expensive and I bought 2 of them. I just don’t like how it looks when I apply it over my foundation. I feel like it moves the foundation and it just looks weird.

Leslie Avatar

Dior Addict Lacquer Sticks. I’ve been waiting to get my hands on the shade “Turn Me Dior”. In all of the ads, it looked like a sheer, shiny red. I walked into Sephora to buy it and they didn’t have a tester for THAT shade so I just bought it but when I applied it, it was actually a bright pink, almost matte. Not really any shine at all. So I returned it. I did swatch some other shades and, to me, they were the same. Really no shine, or not the shine that I had expected. They show them really glossy in the ads and that just wasn’t the case. So my search for a sheer red glossy lipstick continues lol.

Mariella Avatar

Probably Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume mascara. The SA at Sephora (also a former student of mine) raved about it so I bought it. I really should have returned it as it’s everything I’m not crazy about in a mascara but I’ll use it up (and continue brushing through with a clean, dry spoolie or combing through with a lash comb).

Jennifer Avatar

Urban Decay eyeshadow primer for me. I know so many people who say it’s their holy grail, but it just doesn’t work on my oily lids.

Erica Avatar

I find the UD Primer Potion to be average at best. It doesn’t perform any better than the $3 Wet n Wild one. I don’t have oily lids but why pay $20 if I can get the same results/quality with a $3 primer? If it’s a holy grail for some, I believe they haven’t tried any other ones and don’t know any better lol

bibi Avatar

Hmmm……
Pretty much every hyped drugstore concealer I’ve tried. I’m now resigned to the fact that concealer is a ‘splurge’ item & will stick to my It Bye Bye Undereye Concealer.

YSL Touche Eclat (where is it? disappeared on my fair skin) , Lancome Teint Idole foundation oxidized to oompa loompa orange), Nyx products in general, Sisley skin care (overly perfumed mineral, oil anyone?, SKII skin care (lots of alcohol, dried my skin out), and Amore Pacific skin care (lots of alcohol dried my skin out), Body Shop’s Oils of Life skin care (overly perfumed & did nothing for my dry skin).

Erica Avatar

I’m in agreement about NYX and I’ll add ELF to that list. I buy makeup from everywhere and I definitely think you can buy quality yet inexpensive makeup but I am not overly impressed with those too. I have a few products from NYX I like. I like their HD blushes and their prismatic eyeshadow are nice but considering how much product they have, I am not overly crazy about them. Same with ELF. I like some of their makeup brushes but I don’t think they are the be all end all when it comes to inexpensive makeup. Just so so about them as a whole.

Also spending more when it comes to skincare doesn’t mean much. A lot of it is fragrance, alcohol and cheap ingredients like mineral oil or lanolin. I for sure never buy skincare, high or low, without reading the ingredient list. High amounts of fragrance, synthetic or natural, and bad alcohols are a deal breaker for me!

Ameerah Avatar

The Marc Jacobs bronzer brush, I purchased the limited edition one from the white coconut line. It’s synthetic and doesn’t work very well for me for bronzer application. It is an okay brush for all over setting powder application. I was disappointed and was unsure what the hype was about. That being said, my holy grail foundation brush is the Marc Jacobs face III brush. Hence, I believed the hype.

Anne Avatar

I tried my best to find a foundation from the Armani line, and gave up. Everyone loves his foundations — but me. I couldn’t get the right shade to save my life. His neutrals tend to run golden, but his cool shades are too pink! And his numbering system is just plain bizarre.

Linda Avatar

I’m with you! I actually got through 1.5 bottles of Luminous Silk before I tossed the rest. The color was never right for me, and that stuff just broke down after a few hours like an old car. I’m out when it comes to Armani foundations.

AB Avatar

Bobbi Brown eyeshadow, in Toast. Much dustier, less pigmented, and short-lived than it should be for the price and overall brand promise.

Lydia Avatar

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper. It’s actually the second one I’ve bought and I still don’t like it. I’m sure it has something to do with personal body chemistry since it’s one of the most popular eyeliners I know of. It’s just not opaque on me for some reason no matter how much I layer, almost like the pigment doesn’t want to adhere to my eyelid whether bare, primed, eyeshadow-ed, whatever.

Nicole D Avatar

For me, sadly, it’s Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder. I tried it with all my regular foundations (Koh Gen Do, MUFE, Clinique Perfectly Real) as well as with the tinted balms and my face does not love it; it breaks down the foundation/tinted balm and because it’s so drying for me, it sets terribly especially in the under eye area, creating fine lines where I don’t have any (the so-called “smile lines”). I think the culprit it’s the talc in it as I’ve noticed similar effects with powders/bronzers/ blushes/highlighters that have talc as the first ingredient. Luckily I’ve purchased the travel size version. I’ve tried the Cover FX Illuminating Powder (Fair) and what a difference! It sits beautifully on my face and it does not disturb the foundation. Btw, their powders/bronzers/highlighters are talc-free. And it’s a Canadian brand :).

Soleil Avatar

Again, another LM disappointment for me. My RCMA works much better to think it’s just a fraction of price! The LM powder settles on my face, doesnt blend well. Dont think it sets my foundation too.

Linda Avatar

No like-y the LM either for exactly the same reasons. After sampling many, I settled on the Sisley Poudre Libre, and I love it. It’s not cheap, but I’ve had it for 9 months now and there’s still a ton left.

Deborah Avatar

Jouer Lipcremes – I really like their shiny, sparkly toppers. I have several that are discontinued and a few that aren’t thank goodness. Wore a lipcreme Friday and it came off on the glass I was drinking from, immediately!

Primpcess Avatar

The MILK blurr stick. I felt it did nothing. After I purchased it I got the NYX pore filler, and I can see a diff with that. The milk one will be going back.

Sophie Wynn Avatar

Christine, I actually found jouer lip cremes some of the best matte lip products. I got my husband to get me the Kat Von D mini liquid matte lipstick set from Sephora in the US prior to it coming to the U.K., and was hugely disappointed.

maria Avatar

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops in Rose Gold it isn’t that it isn’t pretty it is just I am not crazy about it but out of many liquid highlighters it is probably one of the nicer ones but I definitely would not repurchase. I haven’t found a liquid highlighter that I love. I prefer powders that have a little gel like consistency.

Ashley Avatar

Drugstore: Maybelline Matte and Poreless foundation. I just don’t love how it sits on my skin at all.
High end: Benefit’s They’re Real. Does nothing for my lashes

Erica Avatar

I didn’t like the Maybelline foundation either or the Loreal Pro Matte Infallible or the Rimmel Stay Matte. Don’t like the texture/ feel of any of them

Christine Avatar

Pat McGrath Skin Fetish Gold. Dollar store-quality packaging, small quantities of meh products, and THE most annoying outer packaging ever! Seemingly thousands of gold sequins burst out of the vacuum-sealed bag and scattered everywhere. It came with a brush, a small (again, cheap) compact of highlighter, and a two-ended highlighter stick. For the $80 or whatever it cost, I bought the Maybelline Strobing Stick for about $8 instead. A year later, I still occasionally find sequins around the house.

MoMerrell Avatar

LOL I refuse to by Pat McGrath simply for the packaging. I don’t like sequins period. I find her packaging choice to be juvenile and overthetop for sub par product

Karen Johnston Avatar

The Marc Jacobs Lip Lacquer Gloss in Sugar,Sugar. I heard about it on a few YouTube videos and fell for it. It isn’t so much the formula as the shade (which is what was hyped), very milky and uneven application. White Russian by Buxom is very close and so much better for a pale gloss.

Brenda Avatar

I agree with Jouer, didn’t love like I thought I would. I purchased 3 initially: gave 1 to my daughter and kept 2 but I never ever wear them. I purchased the rose gold and put it aside to give to my daughter. It was an immediate No as soon as I put it on. SMH

Lauren Avatar

Agree with the Jouer Lip Cremes, 100%. I bought the shade “Fraise Bonbon,” and while the color and application were nice, it crumbled and faded significantly 20 minutes after application. I returned it! For that price, no thanks!

liberty Avatar

Urban Decay eyeshadow primers – nothing special, just average

Armani Luminous Silk foundation – it’s not bad, I like it but it’s not worth the price, there are better ones

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!