Have you ever fallen in love with a product that wasn't working for you before?

It’s hard to imagine it hasn’t happened at least a couple of times in the last decade but nothing specific is coming to mind. I know that there are a lot of products I like but don’t love, use more often, and then realize I kind of do love them after all!

— Christine

20 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.
Linda Avatar

I was the exact same way – like I use foundation to cover redness, why would I want to put red back on? Didn’t even try my first blush until I was 30!

Seraphine Avatar

Yes! This has happened a few times, most commonly with brushes. I’ve bought brushes that I tried and tossed aside, but then months later gave them a second try and fell in love with them. One example is the small size Sigma 3DHD Precision Brush. After I got it, I decided I had wasted my money and threw it in a drawer and forgot about it. Many months later, I came across it and decided to give it another try. Now it’s my favorite brush to use with concealer!

Cherie Avatar

Perhaps more in the line of “not using optimally” or “not using right.” There was a creme shadow formula that wouldn’t work for me no matter what I tried. Then one day I tried mattifying primer and voila! It lasted all day without creasing and looked lovely (I’m looking at you CT).

Celesta Avatar

I think my very first product was the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in the original red (when they had only 7-9 colors)… it was my very first liquid lipstick, before liquid lipsticks became popular and I didn’t understand it. Then after I hopped on the bandwagon I went back to it and realized how much I love it.

Nichole Avatar

Yes. Terra Firma Skin Polisher – exfoliating powder. I bought it years ago, used it a few times, but didn’t like it. I picked it back up seven or eight months ago and have been using it three times a week. Love it. Not only does it smooth out my skin, it helps fade my acne skin pigmentation faster.

Nancy T Avatar

This *did* happen with a product I don’t own, but have received samples of 2 years apart. It’s YSL Black Opium. The first sample I had used (from the actual tester bottle) made me stink of stale latte that perhaps spilled on my clothing. Turned me off! Then, very recently, Sephora sent me a sample bottle in one of my orders. So on a day when I knew I wasn’t going out, I decided to give it another go. This time was decidedly different for me. It smells lovely and autumnal! Not sure what changed? That it wasn’t from a bottle in the store or that my body chemistry (ph?) has changed or what, Idk?

Gilad Avatar

Hi Nancy,

My guess is that it’s been reformulated. Happens often and usually w/out notice/acknowledgement by co. Nice that you like the newer version better! (for me it usually goes in the opposite direction.)

dzymzlzy Avatar

The same thing happened to me with Thierry Mugler Angel. I smelled it and bought it a little over 17 years ago (I remember because I first started dating my now-husband). I loved it in the bottle but on me it made me smell like onion-y B.O. And then about a year ago I tried it on again and now I love it on me.

Genevieve Avatar

Yes, I went to a lot of trouble to purchase bareMinerals The Playlist and when I got it, I thought the shades were far to bright on me and put it in my stash bag. After a couple of years and with the Soft and Smokey palette (which does not have any golds or coppery shades), I realised this palette was stunning.

Nina Avatar

Yes! I was just talking about this. I wore Revlon #420 Blushed lipstick years ago. Then moved on to Nars Dolce Vita ls and now I’ve found the Revlon to be exactly what I love.

Khadija Avatar

Yes the Original Huda rose gold palette. One of my go to’s. It seems as if the more I use it I got a completely different product. The mattes are too class. Idk of their was a film or it was too tightly pressed at first. No clue what happened

Silvia Avatar

Not a product but color wise. I used to be afraid of vampy lipsticks then tried a couple of reds, wines, even a brownish one which I never use, etc. and was pleasantly surprused it looks great on this ghost. It brightens up my green/hazel eyes and face in general so pretty! Love them now.

Karen Avatar

This actually just happened.
When Revlon released their cream eyeshadows in pots I bought a shimmery taupe lid and matte brown transition shade. I tried them once and put them away because they seemed unpigmented and stiff when using with either my fingers or my favorite cream shadow brush. Then I heard it said that they worked well with the brushes that come in the lids, and they DO. I am very impressed with the formula yet still mystified as to why they work so well with a little throw away brush. I will be getting more of these!

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!