These are the first three brands that I came to mind that I’d be uncertain about purchasing without reviews/swatches because of a lot of inconsistency in past launches: Wet ‘n’ Wild, Stila, Laura Mercier.
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Definitely MAC. They are super inconsistent when it comes to quality.
MAC is the first one that comes to mind. I’ve been disappointed a few times when I’ve bought products that I didn’t swatch, even when they reviewed well.
Wet ‘n’ Wild is inconsistent, but I don’t mind taking a gamble on their products because they’re so cheap. I don’t use them often, but I’ve had pretty good luck with this brand.
Mac (primarily their LE products) and sadly UD, Nars and MUFE. Since UD got bought out and Nars and MUFE revamped their eye shadows, the quality has dropped a peg or two.
I agree with you, Nichole. Under L’Oréal, UD has suffered, as has Nyx. Both were once quite consistent and had mostly excellent quality. The recent redux of MUFE and Nars e/s formula was downright TRAGIC.
I almost phrased mine the exact same way: “… sadly UD…” At least, that’s the first thought that popped into my head.
Honestly – all of them! From high end to lower priced, every brand has some real stinkers look at disappointments from Dior, Guerlain, Hourglass….). The only product I’ve returned in recent years is the Marc Jacobs Edigtorial e/s palette and the store didn’t have a counter test of it so I was going strictly off online swatches and Christine’s review. Had I tried it/swatched it in-store, I’d have passed it by entirely
Colourpop. The swatches on their site aren’t always accurate and the quality of their products can be inconsistent between shades.
I don’t feel comfortable purchasing without reviews from new brands and from drugstore brands.
With new brands (released only in the last 3-4 years) I don’t feel comfortable purchasing both because of my lack of experience with the brand, and because they are still on the `learning curve`; in the end, as an emerging product, it’s expected to have some misses with formulations and labs, until the process is refined as the brand gains experience in time.
With drugstore brands I feel like they have too many inconsistencies across the product lines. Brands like NYX, Maybelline, L’oreal. Physicians Formula definitely have some amazing products; but for each great product I have tried from them, I had 4 or 5 big misses.
The first that come to my mind: MAC, Too Faced, Make Up For Ever, Dior.
Too Faced, MAC and Urban Decay. I actually have precious little from Too Faced due to their insistence on adding sodium saccharin to so many of their products, but what I have I love. So often, though, these 3 brands have become pretty inconsistent in their quality in recent years. Therefore, I do feel that I need to see how they swatch and review before I drop any $’s on them. I would also have to add Tom Ford and Dior to the list of highly inconsistent brands, as well.
Luxury brands, MUG, Stila, Too Faced, and MAC limited edition items.
I love Stila’s Glitter and Glow, but the last two lines (Little White Lies, Shade Mystére) are huge let downs.
Maybe they should stick to the Liquid Lipstick?
Since they sold a few years ago, I found that their products have really varied in quality. I was a big fan before the sale.
The three that come readily to mind for me are Too Faced, Lancome and Nars. If I am being honest, all drugstore brands are suspect in my book and while increasing in practice, in general, they don’t let you test them in store. The bigger drugstore brands like Maybelline, Covergirl, L’Oreal, etc. are really hit and miss so other than mascara, I really don’t buy anything from those brands. I think Elf, NYX, Milani and Sonia Kashuk have slightly better odds but I have definitely purchased things from all four that I regretted. I think part of the reason I like HE makeup is the fact that I can test it myself, get samples to try and reviews are more readily available.
In reality, all the brands I need to see the swatches and reviews first. Particularly for eyeshadows because every brand can bring out a dud or a stellar product.
But I would be wary about MAC, NARS, Laura Mercier, Stila and even UD the most.
Any brand, really. Reviews aren’t quite as important for me, but I really want to be able to swatch something before I buy it
Tart, Too Faced, I’ve had bad luck with those two so once burned…
MAC and Dior. Too many of their launches over the past couple of years have been a disappointment, so I always wait to see what Temptalia has to say before purchasing any new releases from them.
I cherry pick my makeup from all brands. I gave up on new DS releases a long time ago because I rarely liked any of them. Not being snobby, just don’t like buying a pig in a poke. (I’m probably dating myself w/that expression. Oh well.)
Any brand I can’t easily return: especially anything with a higher price tag
If I stick to brands I’m likely to be buying: Urban Decay, NYX, MAC.
MAC eyeshadows (personally had bad experiences), holidays palettes for Too Faced, Fenty eyeshadows and lip crayons.