Archived Post

Best Beauty Products | July 2017 Report

Here’s a look at the top 25 products reviewed in the month of July, plus a summary of how many products and brands were reviewed and a break out of ratings! 🙂

I think it’d be fun to go through what we used, purchased, resisted, and so forth each month, here are some questions:

  1. What were your favorites from the last month?
  2. What didn’t impress you?
  3. Did you return anything you purchase?
  4. Or successfully resist temptation?

22 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.
Joan Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? Marc Jacobs anything (Tantastic, Dew you, the eyeliners). I have been liking my UD Naked Heat, surprising for a naked palette for me.
What didn’t impress you? Anything I bought was pretty well thought out so I am impressed with my purchases. (I have yet to get my Subculture, so I am nervous about that).
Did you return anything you purchase? Not really a return-er, if something falls out of use I typically pass it on to a friend.
Or successfully resist temptation? Thinking about it… I don’t really resist. It’s more a get over sort of situation- learn something new and I am no longer interested. Like the bite liquid lipsticks, the CP concealers, Nars as a brand (after they changes their CF status).

Mariella Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? The Estee Edit thing – Glow+Treat+Something (the most cumbersome name)
What didn’t impress you? Glamglow Glow-Starter (not a great moisturizer and not a great “glow starter”
Did you return anything you purchase? Nope – something I’m always reluctant to do, which is why I prefer to shop in person and research purchases carefully
Or successfully resist temptation? the KvD glittery palette (still trying to stay strong) and the Marc Jacobs eyeshadow palettes (but only because my local Sephora hadn’t received Edgitorial when I was there – but they have received it now so I’ll be up there this week to check it out and probably buy it).

kjh Avatar

Got none of the top 25, surprisingly. Liking the sunset palettes. Tarte Miami Vice l/s. Unimpressed: Nars Mustang. Should have known better and waited for the review. My mental picture of Nars is a lot of red and brown red. You can see he has confused and disappointed me recently, by using pinks and corals in fall! Antonym: the blush was broken. The foundation was big wrong for color…you could tell by holding it up to your face and looking in a mirror. It’s a swirly one, so each one could vary a lot. Not cool friendly. Looked like a drab brown bronzer. Return: yeah, think they have to go. But the packaging is exquisite and the ingredients are fine. And the EL foundation has a chem sunscreen in it, so did not take the bottle out of the package. The online ingredients list did not have a chem sunscreen. Omission, or change to the ingredients? Does not matter. Can’t use it. So the S 20 online was an epic fail. They didn’t send tranquil, so prob OOS online. Not that they tell you. Have oldest Nyx Taupe, so no great loss. Resisted : Heat: swatched terribly, mjb palettes: just didn’t seem up to par. Course, I saw these at big Sephora, where everything has been grossly sullied. Always. That’s the place to go, if you want make up discouragement. This may not hold true, if I check them at little Sephora. Still holding the line on a Zoeva order.

Seraphine Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
Revlon’s Gel Envy nail polish in Win Big (a sparkly rose gold), Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat (can’t live without it), Clinique powder blush in Cupid, RCMA No Color Powder, ABH Waterproof Creme Color (at last a product I can use to tightline that actually stays in place on my oily, watery eyes), and Sigma brushes (E25, E40, and 3DHD Precision).

What didn’t impress you?
ABH’s new Subculture palette (thank goodness for the review or I might’ve spent my money on it), KvD Lock-It Foundation (I just have a sample and it didn’t hold up well on the day I tried it…but I’m planning to give it another try with a different primer so I’m hoping that will help), and the eyebrow pencil mentioned in the next question.

Did you return anything you purchased?
Yes. I was talked into buying IT Cosmetics’ Universal Eyebrow Pencil by an Ultra saleswoman who told me it was so much better than ABH Brow Wiz, which I use. Let me just say…it is most definitely NOT universal.

Or successfully resist temptation?
Where do I begin? I resisted the temptation to buy UD Ultimate Basics and Naked Heat palettes, Tarte Shape Tape concealer, MAC Quarry eyeshadow (I’m still working on quelling this temptation), Smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit (when it was on sale for $24 at Macy’s), KvD Shade + Light Eye Contour Quad in Plum, and too many lipsticks to count that I’ve seen in Temptalia’s reviews. I’m sure there are a lot more products that I’ve resisted that I’m not thinking of at the moment.

Let me just take another second to thank Christine for her well-written, honest, and detailed reviews, some of which have saved me from wasting my money on inferior products. 🙂

Seraphine Avatar

It’s a pot with gel color. I use a little brush to push it into my upper lashline from underneath the lashes (not the waterline). I have to sort of dot it into place, rather than drawing a line.

I put it on at 7:30 this morning and almost 13 hours later it’s still there with absolutely no smearing or rubbing off. Amazing, because no liner has ever lasted past an hour or two without melting into the surrounding areas.

Nancy T Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? Has to be the Nyx Liquid Suede Metallics, Huda Lip Strobes and Pat McGrath Mattrance Lipsticks. Not every single shade of each, but certainly enough to keep my lemmings going!

What didn’t impress you? ABH Subculture and Liquid Highlighters. Epic fails.

Did you return anything you purchase? Nope! Thankfully, the few things I did purchase this past month were all items that I researched well and that work in usage up to expections. This site right here has saved me mucho dinero!

Or successfully resist temptation? Hahaha! Oh goodness, YES! Resisted the initial urge to purchase that ABH SC Palette *before* your review went up, and I am so glad that I successfully restrained that initial impulse! Phew! ?
Hopefully, ABH will listen to their customers and REFORMULATE the SC Palette and use their far superior MR formula for it instead. They need to own up to their mess.

Dominique Avatar

Nancy, I actually read comments from Norvina on her Instagram responding to customers stating to return the palette if you do not like it and they they will be repressing the shadows and rereleasing palettes that will all be pressed evenly.She said it was the brands first time using automated pressing and that there were inconsistencies in how the palettes were pressed that is why some people palettes are ok and some are horrible. The things that impressed me from last month are Jaclyn Hill Morphe palette,Tarte Clay Play palette and Color Splash Hydrating Lipsticks,ABH Aurora Glow palette,Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Foundation,Tatcha Water Cream and Plumping Essence,Cover FX Blurring Primer,and Jouer Skinny Dip highlighter and eyeshadow palette,Kylie Cosmetics Wet Set and Ever Glow loose powder highlighters and Too Faced Hangover Setting Spray and Ethereal setting powder. The things that didn’t impress me were the Jeffree Star Crystal Ball Skin Fetish highlighter and the Maybelline Liquid highlighters. I bought all of the Maybelline Liquid Highlighters at Walmart and returned the gold because it was too dark,the light because the seal was broken,and I kept the Medium but I just don’t reach for it a lot because it is on the darker side. I successfully resisted temptation on the Marc Jacobs new eyeshadow palettes and I had been successfully resisting temptation on the Huda Beauty Lip Strobes but on National Lipstick Day she released the PR vault of the Lip Strobes that I have been wanting for and I bought them.That is how I bought all her liquid mattes for Christmas last year.Im a sucker for a discounted vault.Its a win win for me because I get all the colors at a cheaper price!

Rachel R. Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? That I bought: TheBalm Balm Desert; bhCosmetics Supernova Palette. That I haven’t bought (yet?): Bite Beauty liquid lipsticks; MUFE blushes; the new ABH matte lipsticks

Christine, I said I’d let you know about the Supernova Palette. It’s one of their all-shimmer palettes. It’s really pretty, and the colors are very pigmented. I love the greens and coppers. Because of the shimmer, there is some fall out while using, but none during wear. They worked great for me over regular primer, except for the pure white shade. That one needs to be damp or have a cream or glitter glue base IMO. Damp, it makes a nice inner corner highlight. I didn’t try any shades without primer.

What didn’t impress you? ABH Subculture Palette. I love the colors, but I’m not going to buy it unless they fix whatever QC/batch issues they’re having.

Did you return anything you purchased? No

Or successfully resist temptation? Resisted pre-ordering ABH Subculture, and I’m glad.

Shannon. N Avatar

My favourites from the last month: juice beauty spf30 sport mineral sunscreen, and UD basquiat blush pallet! Have been using them every day!

What didnt impress me: not a lot! I liked pretty much everything I picked up!

Did I return anything: nothing!

Successfully resist: colourpop concealers! I figure, shade 20 and 25 mixed would be my perfect face shade. And just 20 under the eyes. But I just didn’t have enough money for a full colourpop order this month!

Padma Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
Dior luminizer in #4. Best highlighter I have tried!!! Nars loaded eyeshadow palette.

What didn’t impress you?
Marc jacobs Dew you highlighter. Surprisingly the one I bought was very streaky and didn’t blend well. So returned it and not planning on buying it again.

Did you return anything you purchase?
Apart from Marc Jacobs highlighter, I returned Urban decay setting spray. Ordered 2 by mistake and returned one of them unopened.

Or successfully resist temptation?
Urban Decay naked heat palette. I have passed on lot of the bigger palettes because I don’t have time to use them in the mornings and I never wear eyeshadow on weekends or date nights. So I am pretty sure I won’t reach for it. But I swatched it in my local sephora and the mattes were stunning. Trying very hard to resist it. Don’t know if I ll succeed in the long run.

Deborah Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? MAC lipstick in Razzle Dazzler topped off with MAC Pearly One
What didn’t impress you? Another lipstick but I don’t remember (threw it away(
Did you return anything you purchase? No.
Or successfully resist temptation? Rarely.

Rachel C. Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? NARS liquid blush in Dolce Vita and hourglass veil mineral primer

What didn’t impress you?
Naked heat palette- I didn’t buy this after swatching in store. It swatched well, but too many of the colors looked the same on my dark skin. It’s a nice palette, but just not my taste. I only loved 2-3 shades, so not worth it.

Did you return anything you purchase?
NARS liquid blush in Torrid. I ordered this online before swatching. I happened to go in store and swatch all shades. I prefer Dolce Vita, so returned Torrid when it arrived. I love the formula. Hope they come out with more shades.

Or successfully resist temptation?
I want to try the bite beauty liquified lipstick, but am on a no buy with lip products. Just trying to use what I have, for now 😉

Brenda Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? IT Cosmetics Tightline Mascara and Marc Jacobs Provocouture palette

What didn’t impress you? KVD Shade & Light Glimmer, there was no excitement when I swatched it. ABH Subculture palette, so glad I didn’t preorder.

Did you return anything you purchase? No, everything I purchased I researched first and made informed decisions.

Or successfully resist temptation? Yes, on lipstick day I resisted UD Phone Call and KVD Underage Red. I’ve gone 2 months without purchasing a new lipstick. ?

Dianne Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month? I’ve been all about liquid products– loving the bareMinerals liquid bronzer, Nars liquid blush in Orgasm, and the CoverFX liquid enhancer drops in Moonlight as a highlighter.
What didn’t impress you? UD Naked Heat and the ABH Subculture. Nothing about the colors sparked my interest.
Did you return anything you purchased? I didn’t purchase much– just the UD Ultimate Basics palette and a couple drugstore items– and I liked everything I got.
Or successful resist temptation? I am very interested in the MUFE blush/contour/highlight powders. I will definitely be testing those out in store but will probably hold off purchasing until the fall VIB sale.

Erica Avatar

Favorite from last month: Tarte Dream Big Palette, MAC X Selena Amor Prohibido Lipstick and Physicians Formula Bamboo Wear Bronzer in light. Also really loved my Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette as well as MUFE Artist Eyeshadow in S814 Light Rosewood and MAC Brit Wit Cremeblend Blush

Didn’t impress: I cannot think of anything that truly didn’t impress. Maybe the Loreal Infallible Metallic Eyeshadow in Rose Chrome. It’s not really metallic but I have only worn it a little!

Return anything : nope!

Resist temptation : I resisted using my Sephora points. I’m going to keep saving up until there is something I really want to sample:)

Caitlin Avatar

What were your favorites from the last month?
– I started using a new face oil from an Etsy shop called Crunchy Betty a month ago and so far I really like what it’s doing for my skin. Face oil? For acneic/oily skin? Yep.

I’m also eyeing those NYX matte lipsticks really hard. I don’t need more lipstick but I also desperately need more lipstick.

Angie Avatar

1. What were your favorites from the last month? I actually dug out my Inglot palette… I just hadn’t been enjoying it previously. I have been doing one and done shadows for the most part lately, and am really enjoying the looks I get from the colors in the palette.

2.What didn’t impress you? Soooo shocked over the ABH palette. I was so late to the party with the MR, and was completely won over to the brand when I finally bought it, I figured I’d get the Subculture sight unseen… even if it was all one color, or something crazy., Well…. yeah. Not so much.

3.Did you return anything you purchase? RMS uncover. Only because I accidentally ordered the wrong shade. Live in the stuff!

4.Or successfully resist temptation? Nothing has really struck me lately, so it’s been easy to resist.

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!