Archived Post
What are some of your favorite brands that seem underrated by others?
Laura Geller, Laura Mercier, BUXOM, Clarins, Sleek Makeup, Fyrinnae.
— Christine
Explore Temptalia
We're here to help you make better beauty purchases that you'll enjoy and love! We recommend signing up to take advantage of personalized features like tracking products you own, viewing dupes that you already have, and more!
Here are some useful resources for you:
Compare Any Two
Curious how two shades compare to each other? Type in the shades below to get instant side-by-side swatches!
102 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.
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!
Definitely agree with your choices above, Christine. I’m definitely a fan of Laura Mercier products. And WILL be getting some Laura Geller products in the not too distant future. There are some very fun, edgy brands that I am interested in trying products from, like Sugerpill, Melt, and a bit tamer brand, Sleek. I would also add Nyx as somewhat underrated, although people do buy a lot of it! Almost everything I’ve ever bought from them has been at minimum, good or decent quality, but usually excellent more often than not!
I totally agree with you regarding Nyx! It’s the one drugstore cosmetics line that I keep going back to repeatedly.
I have a veritable ton of Nyx eyeshadow singles that I would LOVE to depot, put magnets on and stick in a Z-Palette! ?
Because I grew tried of the magnets and cleaning out the z-palettes due to product kicking up, I started buying empty Leegoal magnetic eyeshadow palettes (a seller on Amazon) for my Nyx, MAC, ABH, MUG, and Looxi pans. I color-code the spine so I can easily grab the one I want. Of course, I have no use for the empty pans that come with these so they’re starting to accumulate! Maybe I’ll meet someone who presses their own shadows and they’ll get some use. If you’re as OCD as I am, here’s the link:
https://www.amazon.com/Leegoal-Magnetic-Cosmetics-Eyeshadow-Aluminum/dp/B00BBCVYR4/
Thanks Cat! Hopefully, I can pull the divider out and put all these little square pans in once I do. Because being kept in their original packaging means that I almost never remember that I even have them. Including some long since DC’d ones from early 2000’s, although I bought mine brand new and unopened about 4-6 years ago when I was seriously collecting them obsessively!
The divider comes out easily, however… the magnet is attached to the inset. I didn’t realize your Nyx shadows were square. Sorry! 🙁
Milani, Wet n’ Wild, The Balm and Laura Geller
And I forgot Makeup Revolution
Stila, Pur Cosmetics (used to be Pur Minerals), Buxom, Pacifica, Physicians Formula.
Milani and Jordana have some really excellent products, Morphe palettes (though some are definitely better than others) and Gerard Cosmetics – their Hydra Mattes are really great.
Almay mascara and Pacifica mascara, hair care, and skin care
Lancôme, Exuviance/NeoStrata, Yves Rocher (for their body products mostly), Avène…
Face Stockholm and Essence – these brands very rarely get reviewed, which is a shame as their products are excellent.
I agree with Sleek. I also think Smashbox doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Sleek Makeup, Inglot , Essence. I don’t think Laura Mercier is underrated !!!
Agree I think Laura Mercier is not underrated but oh well
Revlon for foundations. I’ve had just as good and sometimes better luck with their formulas than I’ve had with most mid or high end brands.
I agree! I just wish they had better shade ranges. I’m too light and yellow for any of them anymore now that I don’t use tanning beds 🙁 I used to only wear Revlon foundation for over 10 years.
Teeez cosmetics, but I think that has to do with the availability… I wish they’d grow!
Laura Mercier for sure. I’m always impressed with the quality of her products, not that I love everything color wise, but it’s good stuff.
Not sure if it’s a situation of being underrated or more unknown to women, but I’d add Kiehl’s skin care to the list. Fantastic.
Trish McEvoy
Clinique
I agree with both of these although Clinique has gotten more buzz since their Cheek and Lip Pops were introduced.
Whenever I scroll through the Nordstrom beauty site (one of my favorite things to do, ;)) I am always attracted to Trish McEvoy products. I never hear anything about this line of beauty products and still don’t own any either.
Agree on the Clinique Pops, they have infused the brand with freshness. Most all Trish McEvoy products are sold in the pan for you to assemble your own small page (palette). They do have some pre assembled pages, and planners – a carry case for pages and brushes. They also sell tiny cards, thicker but not much bigger than a credit card, which can contain up to 8 shadows or other products. Their products perform well and their brushes are great.
I really enjoy some steady brands with solid products!
Clinique kinda needs an image makeover to compete with Urban Decay, Too Faced etc. But the “pop” range looks like a fresher step in the right direction. Chubby Sticks are pretty cool too.
Me too, I like Chubby sticks!
The Clinique counters always seem busy to me of mostly adults, not many younger folks. They come with a repurchase and then browse other things.
Clinique Take the Day Off liquid makeup remover is my absolute choice for eye makeup removal. I wet a cotton pad, lightly press onto the eye, then swipe and it’s gone! Fabulous product!
Most Laura Mercier products are awesome. I also love the Boots lipsticks.
It’s got to be Lise Watier, followed by Clarins (the latter don’t do a lot of makeup/colour cosmetics but most of those they do release are fabulous; their biggest mistake is discontinuing entire lines that are really great – their eyeshadow quads and, even worse, their Rouge Prodige lipsticks, for example – and also not making some really terrific products permanent. In a small line like Clarins, it is really noticeable when they come out with a killer bronzer or blush but it’s LE.
Sleek Makeup and City Colors
Decleor
I have the Neroli, Iris Nd Rose d’Orient oils and they are wonderful!
I have most of the Rose D’Orient items, including the oil. I absolutely love my Decleor skincare.
My favorite skincare is by Decleor. It makes wonders in my skin.
BUXOM, Sleek Makeup, Fyrinnae for sure. Inglot also doesn’t get as a much love anymore either.
My pick for Liquid Lipstick brand is Makeup Monster Cosmetics…. Everyone that says they hate the feel of the matte Liquid Lipstick should try theirs out. Next year I will be placing more orders for sure.
I always like to SEE what I want to buy, not just online, so I can be sure of the color and finish. Inglot doesn’t have any outlet where I can see things other than on my monitor, so I’m reluctant to purchase. I know their products get raves but I can never bring myself to order something sight unseen.
It’ll take some searching, but there are a few blogs that have done some posts and pics of Inglot. Sadly not a ton, but I’ve found a few in my hunt for some added info on shades that I’m interested in.
Do you have a Macy’s near you? My local Macy’s has an Inglot counter.
I do have 2 Macy’s but neither one of them carries Inglot. Sephora doesn’t either (are you reading this, Sephora?)
Thanks.
Jane Iredale. I love their pressed powder foundation and ey eshadow trios. I think they aim for an older audience though–I always feel more sophisticated with their makeup because it enhances/you see you and not the makeup. But most of the time, I like dramatic “notice me” smoky cat eye eye makeup–so it really depends what I’m in the mood for. I definitely use JI eye shadows for work events, meeting BF’s relatives, etc. type of functions.
I forgot to mention–it’s probably because their eye shadow is extremely finely milled. Nothing has overt shimmer nor are even pearlescent. Most everything is a satin finish but I love shimmers usually. Maybe that’s why I feel their stuff is more “sophisticated”, LOL.
i believe they are cruelty free as well. Though I would differ on the age demo – Emma Watson was a huge proponent of that line before she got the contract with Lancome and it raised the profile significantly among a younger demo.
I didn’t realize that; that’s cool! None of my friends know of it when I mention it to them; but it is pricier than your mid-range brands like BE or Tarte. Their customer service is amazing though and the shipping is extremely fast and free.
Revlon! Foundations, concealers, mascaras, and lipsticks. I think if they improved their eyes shadows and updated some of their packaging people would notice them again. Revlon was my gateway brand into makeup in the 90’s. They used to put together collections that coordinated with each other.
I’ve graduated to higher end brands, but I still prefer their Color Stay foundation or BB/CC cream every day. And Cherries in the Snow is my signature lip color.
Black Radiance
Clinique (Aside from 3-Step, many of their other products seem to go under the radar.)
Origins (I feel like their makeup is ignored but I think their skincare is more well-known)
Elizabeth Arden
Hi Christine, what is the palette in the photo you used for this post? Thank you!
Jouer! I’ve loved everything I’ve gotten from them (eyeshadows, liquid lipsticks, moisture tint, cream highlighters).
Great question! I tend to use high end personally, so my comments are focused on that for the most part. I think Cle de Peau and Chantecaille don’t get nearly as much love as they deserve. That may be because of price, but the quality of the products are so amazing, the products are worth every penny. Armani is raved about for the luminous glow foundation, but their other products are also fantastic and not talked about enough. The lipsticks, glosses and shadows are some of my absolute favorite products from Armani.
On the more affordable side, I can’t rave enough about Smith & Cult lipglosses. Everyone loves the polishes, but I think the glosses are the product that deserves the attention. Not sticky, feels like a balm/gel and immensely hydrating! I’ve also started a recent love-affair with Inglot shadows since finally seeing a store in Las Vegas. Not the easiest to pick out online, but the quality of the shadows are top notch, 160 colors in different finishes all ready to go into one of their palettes or a z palette. Plus the size to price ratio makes it super affordable.
Just took a peek at Inglot due to your recommendation. Wow!
Amazing right?!? I had heard of the brand in passing, but had never really looked into it. When I saw the store in Vegas, I decided to explore and I’m hooked. I have 3 freedom palettes with 10 shades in each and have gotten a ton of compliments when I wear them. To me it’s the perfect way to build a palette given all the options and formulas. The shadows wear well and are very buttery in texture, so no fall-out. I have one of their lipsticks, but the shadows are where I got hooked since I don’t generally buy pre-made palettes outside of quads.
Bare Minerals, Buxom, Laura Geller and Milani.
BE is my holy grail!
BE is mine too! I love all things Milani.
Tom Ford, Nars, Dolce Gabbana, Chanel, Dior
All of these get great coverage with maybe the exception of D&G.
Sleek, Makeup Revolution (though it’s gaining popularity) and it’s sister company Freedom Makeup London, City Color Cosmetics, Hard Candy, Jordana, bareMinerals, The Balm, Physician’s Formula, Pacifica, SauceBox, Looxi Beauty, Notoriously Morbid, and NuSkin (for skincare).
I’d say Tarina Tarantino, but I think the company is getting rid of their beauty line. I haven’t seen any recent info on that front, but I had read that a couple months ago. Everything is marked down on their website.
I agree with you, there are a few gems in those brands.
Oh and Pixi!
Pur Cosmetics, Mally Beauty, and Laura Geller.
Fyrinnae, Shiro, Black Moon, Rituel de Fille, and Inglot!
Lorac!
Elf is has very good face products, I love their blush and bronzers and their Studio line blushes.
Mary Kay (especially for eye shadows), L’Oreal’s Voluminous Mascara with the curved brush (it beats the cult mascaras by Lancome and Dior for me), and Neutrogena for skin care. Also agree with you on Laura Mercier. I also love Lauder, Chanel, and Bobbi Brown, but they’re lauded everywhere in the fashion press.
I definitely agree about Mary Kay having great eye shadows! They’re .05 oz size ( about the same size as a Urban Decay) and they’re designed for magnetic palletes! They’re also only $8 versus $19-22 for UD. I’m not affiliated, my mom used to be a MK lady.
I agree re: Buxom — their gel matte lipsticks are great and I feel like they got no love.
L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara with the curved brush beats the cult ones I read about all the time, and I love Mary Kay eye shadows. Also like Neutrogena for basic skin care. Agree with you about Laura Mercier.
Mary kay
I love Laura Mercier primer, moisturizer, and foundations. Although I read that she did not have a full selection of shades, I reviewed them today and found close to 50.
My favorite eyeshadows are UD, Clinique and random others. I have no loyalties for lippies.
Buxom for sure! The individual eye shadows have incredible quality. They are super pigmented and smooth/creamy and a little moist almost (they do say they are infused with primer.) I have used them everyday since I purchased the,
Laura Geller, NYX, Makeup Academy (MUA), Pixi.
And Estee Lauder — a big name, umbrella company that you hardly hear mentioned in online makeup circles.
It seems like many cosmetics brands are overlooked if they do not send out free PR to the YouTube Beauty Community and saturate that market. Just check out the exposure BECCA, Urban Decay,Too Faced and It Cosmetics gets compared to Cargo and Trish McEvoy.
That’s an excellent point.
I feel like Trish hasn’t put out much new and found a lot of her shadows were out of stock at major department stores. Hopefully with the idea of bringing out new items, but that remains to be seen.
Mustave has gotten raves, but again, I can’t actually see the products for myself and the only way to get anything is to order it online. I’m just reluctant to do that. I will order online if I can see it in a store and know the color(s) I want to get and at least see them in person. I just can’t trust my monitor to show me what a product actually looks like. I don’t even order MAC online for the same reason. I want to see the actual color, not a solid color that’s not even a photo of the actual product. If I see it in a review showing swatches, I have a little more confidence, but I still like to see the actual color(s) before I would just order something.
BH Cosmetics, Sleek, Make-up Revolution, some NYX, CrownBrushCo., just to name a few.
Melt eye shadows are amazing!
I’m currently using MILK Makeup’s mascara and I’m in love with it! It is my new HG and I never hear anything about it. Agree with Laura Mercier – I have navy cake eyeliner that I use to tightline with her flat eyeliner brush with ease and perfection. I just tried the flawless skin oil and it’s amazing! My skin is so soft and it makes my skin look flawless when I apply my makeup. Love it!
Great question! For me, I don’t see many (or any, sometimes) mentions of the following:
Geek Chic Cosmetics
Concrete Minerals
Ritel De Fille
Lipstick Queen
The Balm
Lancome
Makeup Atelier Paris
Smashbox
Nouba
Jane Iredale
Sigma
Bobbi Brown
Illumasqua
Cargo
Besame
I guess it depends on what country you live in and the brands/products that are available there.
My thoughts: Lise Waiter, Clarins and Sleek.
But I would like to know more about Gerard and Trish McEnvoy products too.
De La Terre Skincare – a small niche brand out of Asheville, sold in boutiques and hospital cancer centers because they are organic, all natural , healing, with ‘aromatherapy’ properties. Their cleanser is the best i’ve every used.
Also, Sisley and LaPrairie lipsticks!
jane iredale
laura geller
Girlactick Beauty, Red Earth, Stendhal Paris, and a few others I can’t think of. It’s been a long day.
Max Factor, Pupa and Helena Rubinstein (best mascaras I have ever tried). They are more difficult to find here in Canada. I would add several Canadian brands : Lise Watier, Saint Cosmetics (a natural makeup line), Almay and Annabelle Cosmetics.
I think Benefit – it has amazing branding and a few really innovative products, but the range of products (within “types”) is surprisingly scant and it’s slow on new releases – really only one matte bronzer, a few blushes, and a small range of eyeshadow singles, etc. Mascaras and highlighters are hit and miss, only one liquid foundation option, the bulky boxed powder concept is not for everyone, so I think this all contributes to the entire brand being underrated compared to some brands that get more Youtube/guru love and mentions, though a lot of the brand is very good quality.
I’m really surprised it doesn’t bring out something like a powder highlighter or contour kit, more eyeshadow palettes, more blush/lip shades – a lot of the new stuff is repromotes/kits of stuff brand fans already have.
Cargo eyeshadows and blushes are among my favourites. ELF (and their studio line kabuki brushes are my favourites, even ahead of my MAC Kabuki brush), Laura Mercier, Stila. I’ve recently discovered bhcosmetics and love the colorlock lipsticks (kinda like a stick that turns into a liquid lipstick non-budge formula when it “sets” after a few moments) and the pigmentation of the eyeshadows and highlighters, too! Milani baked blushes, Joe Fresh and Quo (in Canada).
1. WnW… so cheap, but they have several legitimately good quality products. As long as they keep making Comfort Zone and Reserve Your Cabana, I’m a fan.
2. Black Radiance. They are owned by the same company as WnW and have equally nice eyeshadows. Downtown Browns is amazing.
3. Japonesque. You never hear about them, but their Pixelated Color eye palette is beautiful. It is also mostly sparkly, which may not be everyone’s style, but the quality is there.
4. Bare Minerals. I always forget how good their eyeshadows are, and I love their lipgloss (all I have from this brand is a 6-pan Work Weekend Wow eyeshadow palette and two glosses).
Yes…Wet n Wild…I was going to name them but I think they get decent reviews for how cheap they are. Those color icon shadow pencils, especially when they come out with limited edition shades, are great. For under 3 bucks, I get a great color that lasts all day.
I think I’ve mentioned Fyrinnae more frequently on this site than any other brand. If you like loose pigments, theirs are stunning! Nyx has some great products, one of the few less-expensive brands I haven’t been truly disappointed with after purchase. I’d love to hear more about Inglot as I understand they have some really great products.
I’d also love to know more about Elizabeth Arden — I used to love the brand and some of the eyeshadows were absolutely stunning — but I can’t remember the last time I heard someone mention the line. (Maybe it’s changed and it’s no longer worth mentioning?)
Boots -best primer! Catrice, Essence, Milani Cosmetics too!
Rouge Bunny Rouge, IOPE and CLIO. These brands have amazing products but due to availability or buzz whatever, don’t get as much attention. CLIO especially has some if the best lipsticks I’ve ever tried.
I wanted to add one more. Essence. I tried a couple of eye shadows from them–(I normally only stick to mid- to high-end brands; the only other drugstore I own is Wet n Wild)–and I was impressed. I’d be willing to try more from them.
Laura Mercier & possibly Lancome & Clinique
I definitely agree with Laura Mercier, plus I have a couple of great products from Clarins — don’t know Buxom, Laura Geller, Sleek Makeup and Fyrinnae very much. Also IT Cosmetics; Make Up For Ever seems at least under thought-of; I’ve got some excellent products from Ciate London, Dr. Jart+ and Josie Maran, although I haven’t explored the entire lines; in skin care, First Aid Beauty and CeraVe; in sunscreens, MD SolarSciences and Colorescience.
I woud have to agree with another post here stating :ise Watier and Clarins both have excellent products and Kise Watier has seasonal collections to die for that are available to US online. They were recently acquired by Marcelle so hopefully quality and all remain strong
Lise Watier!!
Philosophy scents and body care and It Cosmetics. I use many items from each line but rarely hear about them.
My favorite underated brands are Makeup Geek (their single pan eyeshadows, mmm, mmm!!), Morphe Brushes, ColourPop, Coastal Scents, BH Cosmetics, Essence (they got some BOMB mascara!), NYX, Laura Mercier (the fabulous Radiance Primer) Paula’s Choice (fragrance free, non-irritating, not tested on animals, anti-aging, chock full of active ingredients skin care), SkinActives.com (make your own skincare), Andalous Naturals (their toners are awesome), etc. Would love to try, Looxi, Makeup Revolution, Milani, Sunday Riley, Drunk Elephant and so much more!!
Wow, so many brands I’ve never heard of! I’d say Inglot, since the quality of their products seems so consistantly high, especially the eyeshadows, though their gel eyeliner is pretty amazing too (and exactly what ColourPop was emulating with their gel pot liners). Most of the companies I browse are indies, so it’s hard for me to say they’re underrated simply because they don’t have, or aim for, a wide audience to begin with. The one indie I’m surprised isn’t more widely known is Aromaleigh.
I would have to say Essence, it’s a very affordable European brand that is also available in the US. Love their lipsticks!
I totally agree on Buxom. I love their foundation and lip products. I have started getting more into Laura Mercier and Clarins and so far have loved everything I have tried. I tried 2 of the Makeup Revolution highlighters and they are so nice and very affordable. I would like to try more from that brand.
Milani, So Susan (discovery from LipMonthly), NYX, pretty much all drugstore brands except ELF
I definitely forgot Cargo. I only have one product from them, because you never hear about them. I bought their reverse lipliner from Kohls.com because I needed to find something to add to my order so I would get free shipping. Sometimes the best stuff comes to you when you’re not looking. I love this pencil so much that I use it every day, usually with my lipstick or gloss, but sometimes on its own. It makes my lips look fuller. Now I can’t wait to try more Cargo products.
I also really want to try Sleek. I mix up cheap, mid-range, and high end brands, but I think every high end brand I like gets it due credit, where some of the cheaper and/or mid-range brands do not.
MakeUp Forever.