This is such a good question! I think eyeshadow has gotten better in the last few years–it’s richer, smoother, and easier to work than ever before, and as one of my favorite types of products to play with (brings me the most joy), I’ve quite enjoyed that. I also think efficacious skincare with better textures has become more accessible at more affordable price points, which is easier on the wallet.
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Of course they have but even with all the advances, I find that every company, high end or low, will have dud foundations, eyeshadows, liners, lippies, etc. And it’s not just a question of “it’s a dud because it doesn’t suit my personal tastes or preferences” – there are some products that are just plain BAD in spite of all the advances.
For me, probably the biggest “advance” was the development of eyeshadow primer (and also Inglot Duraline!).
They simply made my makeup look better.
When I remember some of the formulas foundations, concealers and powders used to have when I was in high school… uhhh… Base product definitely have become more elegant in texture and more beneficial to the skin (many brands found a way to put skincare ingredients in). They’re easier to blend, look more natural and even full coverage products can be lightweight. Yes, we had years ago good quality foundations like Double Wear… but nowadays it’s so easy to find even at drugstore advanced formulas.
Brow products also had spurs of innovation… I didn’t partake in the latest years with all these new types of markers and powders… but when the burst happened 10-15 years ago with ABH and Benefit Gimme Brow… that was the time I embraced actually doing my brows.
I feel like matte lipsticks have become a lot more comfortable and less-drying in the past few years.
Agree on this point too!
Oh, a HUGE “Yes” to what you said about skincare, Christine! We now have some of the most effective skincare with minimum amounts of either ingredients or hefty prices via The Ordinary and Inkey List. Both brands are ones that I use on a daily basis. And they DO work wonders.
I would also say that the development and evolution of all the various types of primers are such a game changer, too. No such thing even existed that I was aware of until the tail end of the 90’s-early 2000’s. L’Oreal put out an eyeshadow primer at that time, and oh boy! For the first time ever, I never had to worry about my eyeshadow creasing or wearing away.
Also, I so very much appreciate that most brands have become ever more inclusive of all skin depths and undertones. This ought to have ALWAYS been the case, but it wasn’t. I’m not all that dark or even tan, but as a teen and 20 something, there was nothing in the drugstore range that ever really matched me. As a result, there are so many old photos of me with a “ghost face” or something too orange based if it had the proper depth. Thank goodness that we are now at a wonderful place where anyone and everyone can get foundation, concealer and powders that work for them as individuals.
I just bought a foundation from a higher end brand that doesn’t have silicones AND comes in a shade light enough for my pallid complexion AND is yellow-based to cover all that red and leave me with what looks like actual, perfect skin. Nars Light Reflecting. It even dries down to a semi-matte and doesn’t need setting on my dry skin.
Eyeshadows are SO MUCH BETTER!! Lipstick undertones are SO MUCH BETTER!!.
I have seen a lot of improvements in cosmetic formulas over the past 20 years or so. I think the introduction of primers for face/eyeshadows was a game changer for those who found that their eyeshadows faded or their foundations stopped working after a few hours.
Secondly – I think foundations themselves have come along way too – not only in providing a more nclusive shade range, developing the undertones within that shade range but also their formulas – even DS formulas are much better – L’Oreal’s True Match range, Maybelline’s Fit Me, Flower Beauty etc.
Eyeshadows are another beauty product that are generally much better quality than ever before. We have the HE brands like PMG, ND and sometimes CT, Tom Ford bringing out some beauties, but also much more affordable brands like SG, Terra Moons, Give Me Glow, Cliondah etc – their range and quality is second to none.
All of this we know because of you Christine – so thankyou from the bottom of my cosmetic heart!
Eyeshadow primer was a game changer for me; I have oily lids and my eyeshadows ALWAYS creased. I love that liquid lipsticks and matte lipsticks are now wearable for me (they used to dry out my lips horribly). The Ordinary has allowed me to start showing my skin some love. And eyeshadow formulas can just be so damn good compared to what they used to be.
I just have to say yes to all of the above!
I used to have to carry my eyeshadows around all the time before primers, so I could touch up, blend back the colour that was creased and add a fresh layer, I’m not sure now if it actually worked or if it just looked over done. 🙂
Not creasing on the eyelids! I’m older now and I’m so glad that most eye shadow formulas, even from brands that aren’t high end, do a pretty go job in this area.