Archived Post

What are three products that deserve the hype they get?

Urban Decay Naked Palette–I still really love it and find it easy to use. Make Up For Ever Artist Shadows–still excellent. Anastasia Modern Renaissance–great color combination and quality.

— Christine

106 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.
Kim Avatar

This is one of my favorite palettes along with, don’t gasp, Huda Beauty Rose Gold palette, but I do find MetalMatte’s mattes to be hard to blend compared to my Makeup Geek, Morphe Brushes, Urban Decay, Too Faced, etc. mattes when using the same Urban Decay Eden primer with a light colored matte base on top. Very strange. It’s my first ever palette from KVD and I LOVE it, BUT her mattes are strange that way.

Brenda Peterson Avatar

I agree Nancy! We definitely need to break into categories. That would be so much fun!

I totally love KVD Metal Matte palette. Colors are gorgeous and blend like a dream.

Deborah S. Avatar

I totally agree about the ABH Modern Renaissance palette. It offers such a great combination of colors and is perfect for both day and evening eye shadow looks. The shadows blend easily and have good wear time. Another product that I really love is the Chanel shadow in New Moon. It is the perfect one shadow look. Oh dear, I also love Empriente du Desert but don’t want to end up with just shadows as there are so many really hyped products that are good. Finally I am going to go with the Sleek highlighter palette in Solstice. It is an amazing highlight palette.

Katherine T. Avatar

I totally agree with you on Chanel New Moon! I missed it the first time around, then grabbed it when it came back — the sparkle is so stunning and complex, it sets the bar for all my other shadows

Lulle Avatar

Hmm, I really haven’t bought many “hyped” products in the past few years, but here’s my answer:
– Estee Lauder x Victoria Beckham eyeshadow palette: the quality of the formula is just fantastic.
– MUFE Ultra HD foundation: I really find the finish beautiful and it’s a great balance between coverage and natural look. I just wish they had a better shade match for me.
– Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick: the formula is really great, lightweight, comfortable with great opacity.

Donya Avatar

I am with you on that Age Rewind. I tried it on a fluke, using to correct under eye and a big dark scar. I have been mostly high end this past year because I can. I almost didn’t want to love it but I reach for it over others (NARS, It)

Astrild Avatar

I agree with UD Naked, the original. Although there are palettes in my collection that I think are prettier to look at, at the end that’s the one I use constantly. Best palette ever.

NARS Radiant tinted moisturizer is another go-to product for me.

The third product… in general, Real Techniques brushes. If I had to choose only one, it would be the buffing brush. Great brush for an affordable price.

Erica Avatar

1. NARS Orgasm. Pretty peachy pink blush. Beautiful glow. Only blush I have hit major pan on
2. The Balm Maryloumanizer. Gorgeous highlighter and a must have
3.Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer. Use it daily. Affordable. Doesn’t crease. Covers nicely.Love the applicator. Love it!

Mariella Avatar

I agree about the original Naked palette – it’s the one that started the trend that most of us are very grateful for (even if it’s been done over and over and over and over by every single cosmetics company in the world), Urban Decay Primer Potion (another “first” and a real game changer for folks like me), Shiseido’s stubby little foundation brush – I don’t know what it is but that thing gives me the BEST results. Oh, if I could choose a 4th (or if a brush doesn’t count), it would probably be the Chanel LE quad Empreinte du Desert. Amazing to think I “almost” passed on it – I just love it.

Linda Avatar

Mariella, you are going to make me buy that Chanel palette! I’m trying to resist, but every time you write about how much you love it, the force to resist gets weaker!

Mariella Avatar

I hope you can find it Linda. If you really do plan to buy it, you should act fast because it was LE for summer. It is gorgeous though and if you can find it, do buy it and decide you don’t like it, I’ll buy it from you (though I may have to wrestle Nancy – I think it’s Nancy who also loves it – for it!)

Lea Avatar

The Shiseido brush is fantastic and underrated. I prefer my fingers for foundation application day-to-day, but if I want a more buffed look or I’m used a foundation compact, I’ll grab the Shiseido brush. I e yet to understand d the hype over beauty blender, but as I said, I prefer my fingers over most foundation tools.

vivaglamdiva Avatar

Love this question! Some random ideas:

MAC Fix+ Spray
CoverFX Custom Enhancer Drops
Viseart Eyeshadow Palettes
Tom Ford Blush – Love Lust
NARS Orgasm Blush

Julia Avatar

1. Urban Decay Naked Original – my very first prestige palette purchase and I still love it
2. Wayne Goss brushes – sooo soft! I find #14 particularly unique and useful
3. Anastasia Glow Kits (except Ultimate Glow!) – really good range and value within the palettes

Linda Avatar

Hi Julia,

I have the Wayne Goss #19, #17, and #14 in the cart ready to go. What’s holding me up is waffling about the #14. It looks like a number of brushes that I already have. Can you tell me why you are a fan of this one? Do you use it instead of similar type brushes you already own?

Thanks a million!

Julia Avatar

Hi Linda – happy to give you my two cents! It is a cheek brush, but even though I have plenty of cheek brushes, I do not own anything that is similar to this. What makes the 14 different is not just the softness, but the feathery quality of the bristles. They are rather long and very diffuse, which makes the brush ideal for whispering on highly pigmented blushes evenly (I can be heavy handed but I love bright brushes, so this is a lifesaver). It’s also fairly small in diameter, so it can fit into small pans like the Becca Afterglow Palette. I don’t often use it for highlighters since I prefer to concentrate them on a small area, but I do sometimes use it with pigmented shades to use them more like subtle blush toppers.

Temptalia did a nice review/ overview of this brush along with many of the other Goss face brushes, though she did not assign ratings. Hope that helps 🙂

Linda Avatar

Hit post before I finished. Sheesh.

I too like bright blushes. Very much. I also like a heavy hand. 🙂 I can envision exactly what you are saying, and the brush sounds like it might save me from myself. I think I have brushes that *look like this, but don’t quite apply as you describe.

I am in love with the WG line. Last thing I need is more brushes if you go by the count, but the reason I have so many is that I tried to cheap out for years. (And some inexpensive ones work just fine.) But you know what I mean. I have an army of budget items that just don’t perform.

Donya Avatar

Having recently upgraded brushes, I happened upon Mercari who allows sales of used items. I had several old MAC and cheaper brushes that I sterilized and sold in a group for almost giveaway cost. Made me less of a hoarder and helps a new makeup lover up their game. I could have never thrown them out.

Anne Avatar

I think the #14 is an absolute must brush. It’s a work horse. It can be used for highlighter, blush and even contour because it can build up a color slowly and it also allows for a strategic application of color. I use this brush every single day — no lie. I love it and would recommend it to anyone. I don’t know of another brush at this price point that can do so much.

Emily Avatar

Hmm, tough one!

1) ABH Brow Wiz – yes it’s not the most cost effective brow product but it really gets the job done in a wiz. (Sorry, can’t resist puns). Since I’m perpetually running late, this is important!

2) Tom Ford bronzing powders, specifically Terra – I’m so-so on his lipsticks. Some are great but consistency isn’t what it should be. But the bronzing powders are fantastic. I have Terra and Gold Dust and Terra is my favourite cheek product. If I could only wear one bronzer/blush/cheek colour, Terra would be it.

3) Charlotte Tilbury Lipsticks – they are consistently of great quality and some of the most comfortable to wear out there. I am in love (accumulated half of them in under a month). B*tch Perfect and Pillow Talk lip cheat deserve all the hype they get.

Anne Avatar

I have very dry skin. These are truly my HG and worth the money and the hype:
1. Sunday Riley Flora
2. Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam
3. Decleor Hydra Floral Ultra-Moisturizing and Plumping Expert Mask

bibi Avatar

Cle de Peau Silky Cream Foundation- Perfection, effortless to apply, makes my skin look amazing, matches perfectly, & lasts 10 hrs

IT Bye Bye Concealer- A bit of a learning curve to use (warm on back of hand and pat on undereye area SPARINGLY) but the only thing I’ve found that obliterates my crow’s feet, brightens my undereye area, and stays put all day witthout creasing or fading

IT Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer- As easy as the CdP to apply, wears just as well as CdP, has a 50 SPF which I love but like everyone says – the shades are a bit off. Come on IT, we need warm shades & cool shades & neutral shades for the $ you are asking for this product.

HollyC Avatar

Viseart eyeshadow palettes, every single one of them. Beautiful, flattering colors, buttery blendability, loooooong lasting.

Tom Ford lipsticks, just beautiful colours and best selection of nudes anywhere ever. Pure prettiness, hydrating and lip flattering, makes lips look fuller with no irritating ingredients (magic in a tube). Worth it if you can afford it but terribly expensive.

Sunday Riley face oils and Good Genes. Really deliver the goods. Good amount of product that will last a long time. Very active and does what it says it will. Also their Tidal moisturizer is amazing.

The gold standard question is would a fickle, always looking for something better makeup maven repurchase all of these product? Yes!

AB Avatar

1. Agree re ABH mod renaissance
2. M Jacobs highliners (now that they’ve reformulated so they don’t dry out so quickly)
3. NARS concealer — works like a charm for me

Linda Avatar

Oooh, I’m looking forward to reading everyone’s thoughts. Good question!

I’m don’t think Viesart gets hyped like other lines, but you can’t touch the quality of these shadows. Every single one is the category of an “A” grade whether matte, satin, or shimmer.

While I have had mixed experiences with some products in the Nars line, their blushes come through.

Again, I think Wayne Goss’s brushes fly a little below the radar, although that’s changing. I think they are fantastic.

HollyC Avatar

Yes! Nars blushes have a multi dimensional quality that makes your face look so alive, especially their dual intensity formula, but their others that have shimmer are done so well that they just look wonderful! Can’t imagine not having “Madly” in my collection, wonderful base color!!!

Linda Avatar

I can only speak to what I own of what’s hyped but here are mine:

MAC Warm Soul blush (the original shade)
Beauty blender
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders – they really are amazing, unique and versatile

Diana Avatar

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – Although I have found cheaper brow pencils that are very good quality, something makes the Brow Wiz just perfect. Definitely worth the splurge.
MAC lipsticks – Maybe are not as hyped as before, but they are always on trend. I just know that with the Mate, Lustre and Satin finishes I can get a miss. They are comfortable on the lips, with good pigmentation.
Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation – Once you master the application (mine is with Beauty Blender) and really take your time to apply it, you get the perfect finish and long lasting coverage (I have wore this on a sweaty race).

Mo Merrell Avatar

ABH Lip Glosses – moisturizing, opaque and long lasting
Benefit mascara – definitely the best
UD Non-Naked palettes – the color and formula is a one stop shop!!

Katherine T. Avatar

*Kat Von D MetalMatte–the quality, value, colors, and mix of finishes are unbeatable. One of the best palettes ever created period.
*ColourPop shadows –the hype is real, if you don’t have any, you’re missing out big time
*NARs blushes -huge color range, amazing finish that makes my cheeks glow

Jen P Avatar

I agree about the original Naked palette. It will always be a big workhorse palette for me. I am also a huge lover of Becca highlighters, they are my favorites! Lastly, I do not know how I survived in my previous makeup life without the beautyblender! Game changer.

Maria Avatar

Anastasia Modern Romance Palette it is really a great palette for the price. The Beauty Blender the best for applying foundation. Josie Maran Argan oil and Argan serum. Cle de Peau Cotton which I just purchased for the very first time after many years of using regular drug store cotton. I finally got tired of scratching my eye lids with regular cotton pads when removing my eye makeup especially scratching the lower part of my eyes. Also I don’t know if this received a lot of hype maybe a little bit when it first came out but I love Dior Addict lip glow in all three shades.

Lea Avatar

I’m with you on the Cle de Peau cotton – they’re so worth the money. I had the same eye irritation you did and I just couldn’t deal with the inflammation on my eye area. I cut my Cle de Peau ones in half; I’ve found I just don’t need the whole square to take off my eye make-up, so I certainly get my money’s worth.

Kim Avatar

Hmmm I would have to say:
KVD MetalMatte Palette. my muted rainbow painter’s palette
Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Singles, the bomb! Nothing more to say!
Becca x Jaclyn Hill Face palette, those blushes, those highlights! What!! ✨ Lovely in the summer and all year round!

And for one that has been so misunderstood ~ why I don’t know ~ BUT I LOVE ‘n ADORE:
Huda Beauty Textured Rose Gold Palette is my DREAM version of the Modern Renaissance palette. Yes, blasphemy, but I’m not ashamed!! Is is wrong!??! If it is, I don’t want to be right! Heehee!! ?

CatG Avatar

Makeup Geek matte neutral eyeshadows – I don’t know what I do would do without Creme Brulee, Peach Smoothie, Cocoa Bear…

Lorac Pro Palette – Really versatile, buttery eyeshadows, the best palette out there.

Laura Geller Gilded Honey Gelato Swirl Illuminator – It never stops being gorgeous and flattering!!

Silvia Avatar

NARS foubdation
NARS blush
Besame blush
Milani baked blushes and the rose design (just for plain beauty!).
WetnWild I’ll have a Cosmo highliter, Precios Petals, Canopy, eyeshadows, blushes, eyeliners, lipsticks. Ok. I went over board! ?

Dale Avatar

Mac fix +
Mac cranberry & star violet es
Mac 217 brush
Mac Stark naked blush. Which I literally am just about out of now. Just a mere small outer ring left. Was my hg 🙁 sooooo sad!!
Mac artifact, have one left! I know I just throw these out , but I just can’t.
Inglot 77
duraline

Brenda Peterson Avatar

Happy to say there have been multiple purchases that totally live up to the hype. I’ve listed my overall top 3.

1 ) Beautyblender – no idea why it took me so long to try. I’ll never use anything else to apply and blend all liquid/cream face products.
2) UD eye primer potion – for a lady with oily skin this was a game changer
3) POREfessional face primer – ditto above ?

d. Avatar

1) Tom Ford Cream Color for Eyes – A+++!
2) IT Bye Bye Undereye Concealer – the only concealer that works for me
3) Nars Orgasm Blush

Can I call out my Hakuhodo face brush as an honorable mention?

ShariP Avatar

Naked 1 and 2, can’t travel without them. Laura Mercier loose powder, one of the best ever. Lancome L’Absolu Rouge lipstick…love that formula. And another contender would be Maybelline Great Lash mascara. An oldie but a goody. Great question.

Soleil Avatar

A must-have for everyone even if these aren’t given the much-needed hype:

RCMA No Color Powder – your pores will disappear and will keep oil at bay throughout the day
Shiseido Foundation Brush – a brush that gives the Beauty Blender effect
Retinol – no other skincare product is proven to prevent wrinkles and large pores

LLR Avatar

I don’t have a ton of hyped items but the ones I’ve sprung for were good choices (thanks Christine). It’s really hard to choose among the goodies. I’m going to post before I change my mind again.

UD All Nighter setting spray- makeup looks better longer and is easier to touch up after blotting. Lifesaver for a greasy face in hot weather.

UDPP- Eden is my fave but original is good too. Another lifesaver.

Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche- My latest obsession. It’s like UD Vice/Revolution and TF La Crème had a baby. It’s creamy but long lasting, doesn’t sink into lines. and fades nicely leaving some stain. Scent is light but delicious like a whiff of Creamsicle.

Nicole D Avatar

1. ABH Modern Renaissance Palette: for me it’s perfection.
2. ABH Master Palette: almost perfection .
3. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipsticks : quality + no chemicals + it’s a Canadian brand.
(4.Clinique Pop Matte Lip Colour+Primer lipsticks, although not so much hype around them here in North America; they apply like a dream and have a non drying formula).

Ana Samuel Avatar

Artis Oval Brush number 7. Since trying it, can’t wear any order brush for foundation application. Just fantastic.
Armany Eye Tints eye shadows. So easy for a quick on the go makeup and they last me all day!
Bite Beauty amuse bouche lipstick. So comfortable and opaque.

Carole Avatar

For me the Hourglass ambient lighting powders of which i have 3, my face now feels unfinished without them, such a lovely lit from within glow that is not too shimmery on my more mature skin.
Viseart shadows, just gorgeous, blendable and they even last through a gym and then sauna session with primer on me.
Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel, love it, again so subtle but lifts and warms my skin beautifully especially in the winter.

Nika99 Avatar

1.Tarte Shape Tape it really is the best new concealer out!I bought a bunch of colors before they were in everybody’s Utube favorites video and sold out every where and I love that it is so full coverage but doesn’t crease.2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kits I own all of them and they are perfection you can use them as eyeshadow also and they are so soft,pigmented, and beautiful. 3.Lime Crime Superfoil eyeshadow duos they are water activated and turn very metallic when applied to the lid wet but can also be used dry for a lighter wash of color.

Kayle Avatar

Totally with you on the Modern Renaissance palette! I think the Colourpop eyeshadows definitely deserve all the hype, they tend to be consistently good and I firmly believe that the best product they have to offer is eyeshadow (with cheek products in a close second). I also hate to do another Anastasia product but the Dipbrow pomades are a force to be reckoned with – they’re often imitated but I find that nothing works quite as well as the original!
If I were to pick something that isn’t a repeat, I would have to say Ecotools brushes, as they’ve outlived many of my more expensive brushes and they’re just so nice and soft with no shedding. I’m not sure how hyped they are since I’m not too up-to-date in the brush community, but any hype they do get is well-deserved.

Gisèle Avatar

It’s really difficult to pick only three products, but I would say :
La Roche Posay skincare products (Toleriane and Hydraphase ) for my very sensitive and dehydrated skin
Wayne Goss brushes, especially the air brush
UD macara combo subversion + perversion

Vanessa Avatar

Urban Decay Naked Palette, I actually originally purchased it off of your recommendation Christine and got it on the first release when it came with the double ended eyeliner before it sold out the first time around. MAC lipsticks- between the array of finishes and shades there is sure to be something for everyone. Becca shimmering skin perfectors -pressed, poured or liquid I own about 3 in each category.

Lea Avatar

Hmmm…well I’m going to go with Sunday Riley Good Genes, MUFE eyeshadows and Tom Ford blushes. I have so many more products that live up and beyond expectations, but these are more in the hyped category.

Bonnie Avatar

I’m onboard with you most of the way
Urban Decay-Naked the original. It might not be the trendiest but it deserves all the hype it gets.
Mufe-Artist Shadows. The first one I swatched about made my jaw hit the floor. All I could do was giggle maniacally and say “omg no wonder! They were right, everyone was right! Sooner? Why didn’t I do this sooner??omg no wonder::on a loop::” while I swatched with abandon. For me it was one of the best makeup moments of my life. For my Mom and my friends with me that aren’t into makeup it was one of their most embarrassed moments ever lol I kept telling them to trust me, that makeup people get it no need to cover their heads but they were mortified.
ItCosmetcs CC Cream 50 spf. It’s not the most elegant formula nor does it have that dabbed on by angels look and finish but it’s just so easy and it never fails. I know it will go on fast and blend easy using fingers, sponge or brush. It never pills, streaks or oxidizes. Hot, cold, humid, windy doesn’t matter, it’ll work. AND it has spf 50. If you buy the matching CC+ spf 50 pressed powder compact and lightly dust that over your face with a loose retractable brush you can get a light dusting of protection throughout the day that doesn’t make even my super dry, fortyish skin look cakey or settle in lines.

Emily Avatar

This is a tough question…I feel like cosmetics are almost like the so-called “fast fashion” these days. Companies release new products almost every other month, and it’s so hard to keep up with the hype because it almost seems as if there’s a hype every other week! But I’d say the three products I listed below definitely deserved the hype.
– UD vice lipsticks, especially the comfort matte formula
– MUFE eyeshadows
– MUFE Face & Body foundation (I haven’t tried the new Waterblend formula yet, but I’m hoping it still has the consistency and finish that the Face & Body has.)

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!