There aren’t any products coming to mind that I’ve been ho-hum on that later became a go-to! I could definitely see happening, though, with a product that might have been poor for one use but might work great for another use (perhaps something it wasn’t originally intended for).
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“Fallen in love” is a bit strong but 2 products I struggled with have become usable for me. First is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I found that using a bit of the (now discontinued) Estee Edit Radiance Activator first makes it look less awful. And Elizabeth Arden makes a fantastic lip primer and if I use it under UD’s so called “comfort matte” Love Drunk lipstick, the lipstick looks and wears well but also feels almost comfortable!
All the time which is why I like taking advantage of promotional code samples large enough to accommodate more than one use.
Well actually yes, two palettes come to mind: PMG Mothership I Subliminal and to a lesser degree, Viseart Golden Hour. PMG’s palette is sooo versatile for me now, but at first I was quite disappointed with it. I think her palettes were so hyped up that I was expecting the perfect palette with absolutely no flaws and I found that though very good, it was still just an eyeshadow palette that required me to think a little more to make unique looks and that the blue was not as beautiful with a brush than with a finger or wet application. (And especially when I was able to perfectly dupe the blue with a Kiko color!) However, I pick it up more often (and I think with ND’s Glam palette it would look very nice) and am very pleased I have it as it’s unique in my collection color scheme wise (as it was one of my first cooler palettes).
As for Golden Hour, I was VERY disappointed in it and thought it blended a bit muddy and later with some practice, found it much better than I had first thought. It didn’t make a good first impression for me of Viseart either, since everyone raved that their eyeshadows were so good and my experience didn’t confirm that. I haven’t much used it since due to that first impression and also the color scheme didn’t fit me at the time. As fall is here, I think I may take it out and try ND’s Bronze with it. Also, NARS Man Ray may be a nice fit with it. Hmmm….
Black liquid eyeliner was too harsh for me with a full face but now that it’s just eyes and a mask, I actually need the black for additional emphasis. Some days I even manage a tiny wing.
Ace Beauté Oceanic Palette! When I first used it, I found it to be just too much pigmentation all at once with the mattes, especially the bright toned ones. But it’s a learning curve. I now absolutely love all the olive and green shades within it, minus one very neon lime.
I also used to HATE how dry-down liquid matte lipsticks felt on my lips living in such a bone dry, hot climate. But now with the mask mandates for indoor shopping/Dr appointments and public transit, I love that I can still wear a lipstick due to the fact that these don’t transfer or budge.
It definitely happened with a couple of foundations and concealers, mostly due to the fact I needed to learn what primers and application techniques work better with them.
It also happened with lipstick colors. I received MAC Cyber for free with an order, never believed I would wear such color, I specifically remember reading a poor review on Temptalia when I checked… but somewhat ended up really liking that color on me.
I can’t really think of anything like that. The only thing that comes to mind is that years ago, UD’s chunkier shimmer/glitter formulas became much easier to use once I acquired higher quality brushes.
Initially I couldn’t get a good shade match in the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer, but after six months of quarantine, the shade that used to be too light has become a good match. I wear it every day now, but 2020 is still not worth it.
Yes, a couple spring to mind – the bareMinerals Playlist I didn’t use for a long time because I thought the shades were too bright – but no – they are gorgeous. Another one, and I can’t believe this now as it’s my go to in summer, was Dior’s Bonne Etoile – the mint and teal shades are heavenly.
Yes YSL all hours foundation. I think I applied it too heavily and it was valet emphasizing all my imperfections and wrinkles.
Can’t remember exactly how I applied it but with a lot less product and was amazed!!