What brand do you find most reliable in quality?

Pat McGrath has been pretty stellar between lip and eye products, but the cheek ranges are more limited, and the foundation has had mixed reviews (though it worked well enough for me, it didn’t usurp other favorites). Sydney Grace also comes to mind as there are very few misses within their extensive range, though they are very eyeshadow-heavy.

— Christine

29 Comments

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Kuávsui Avatar

NYX is IMHO pretty consistent across the board, although they do have misses, and of course I havent tried every single thing. However based on reviews and the things I’ve tried, they are consistently producing good quality, good value products 🙂

Nancy T Avatar

I am definitely going to have to say Pat McGrath! Have yet to receive a dud from Mother! I agree with you that we need cheek products from her. Fenty and MAC permanent product line (most of their recent LE stuff, too) also immediately sprung to mind as being very reliable in quality. Nars is usually reliable, but then again I’ve only bought products of theirs that reviewed very well and received high grades.

Ana Maria Avatar

I would also agree that the MAC permanent product line is quite consistent in quality. Especially the complexion product for me (although many complain about their foundations breaking them out, I personally always had good experiences).
I have noticed maybe a lot of variance in the eyeshadow formula. But it’s not specifically a matter of quality, as one might argue that a powdery or a stiff eyeshadow is bad/good with their own good arguments.

Beka Avatar

For the last five years, Lorac has consistently produced lovely, buttery smooth eyeshadows. I do not really use any of the other items in their line, but their eyeshadows were my initial gateway to the prestige, and ( now luxury) makeup world. With the exception of the Rachel Zoe collaboration, there hasn’t been anything they’ve produced in the last couple years that I absolutely had to have though. I seem to own every shade, and could produce dupes within the other palettes.

I’ve all but given up on buying any eyeshadow from Tarte, or Too Faced. The quality is so all of over the place, it’s maddening. One eyeshadow will be completely smooth, and then the next shadow, literally one pan over, will be patchy and weird. The holiday releases are either dreamy, or a complete nightmare.

Pat McGrath has consistently beautiful, smooth shadows….. consistently packaged with those darn gold sequins ?

Beth Avatar

Everything I have tried from Sydney Grace (and I have tried lots of stuff from them) has been great. I also have been very happy with Natasha Denona. I love her eyeshadows as well as her new “I need a nude” lipsticks. The only thing lacking with ND was her whole website fiasco on black friday.

Jane Avatar

Concur with you on the two brands mentioned. Though I do really like PMG’s colors (the subtle shifts, I’ve found that the quality for the price just doesn’t impress me. But ah!!! the large palettes quality…beautiful mirrors!)

Beth Avatar

I love PMG, for the most part. I have way too many of her lipsticks and love them all. However, I always get a ton of fallout with the sparkly eyeshadows. I have a really hard time cleaning it up, too. You can’t beat the packaging on those large palettes, though.

Ana Maria Avatar

Make-up brand would be Estee Lauder, especially the Double Wear line. I know if I purchase something from that line it would be great quality and it would work for me.
Skincare brand would be Paula’s Choice, I’m sometimes amazed how even products that are not targeted for my skin type, lifestyle, or preferences, simply do a decent job; I wouldn’t repurchase every single item I tried, but I don’t remember having tried something that completely failed from the brand.

Staci Avatar

Charlotte Tilbury. The only thing I didn’t like was the cream bronzer and highlight from the Norman Parkinson’s collection. I have her foundation on order. Here’s to it becoming a new favorite.

Rachel R. Avatar

Viseart, Bite Beauty, Pat McGrath, Natasha Denona, Violet Voss, Marc Jacobs, Juvia’s Place, ColourPop, NYX, Milani, BH Cosmetics, and Makeup Revolution have all performed consistently for me.

Indies: Apocalyptic Beauty, Notoriously Morbid, My Pretty Zombie, Black Moon Cosmetics, Darling Girl, LunatiCK Labs, Igneous Cosmetics (etsy), Tater Rounds (etsy), SugarPill, SauceBox, Sydney Grace, Looxi Beauty, and Shroud Cosmetics (formerly Strobe Cosmetics). I don’t think I’ve gotten anything bad from any of them.

aditi Avatar

I think I’m gonna have to say Estee Lauder. the single eyeshadows and lipsticks are my favorites and a lot of their other product are at least up to certain level of quality.

Genevieve Avatar

Most reliable in quality for me depends on the beauty product.
For lipsticks – the CP Lux lipstick line and Milani’s Colour Statement lipsticks have been perfect for me.
Eyeshadows: Most consistent would go to bareMinerals, UD (at least some of their older editions), Sydney Grace singles.
Foundation: L’oreal’s True Match extended line.

brendacr1 Avatar

First would be Pat McGrath, Natasha Denona, Urban Decay, Marc Jacobs and Nars.

My trick when I receive an order from Pat is to put the box inside a plastic bag. Open the box, the black stuffing can fall into the bag, not onto the counter or floor, because I don’t like that stuff all over the place neither! Then you can dispose of the packaging that you don’t want. I’ve made some beautiful craft projects with the sequins. I’ve put the black plastic grass away for Halloween next year, I can’t wait – my creative juices are inspired!

Lizzie - IsolatedColor Avatar

I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in a ColourPop product so far. I’ve tried a bunch of their eye shadows (pressed/normal and Supershocks), the brow pencil, No Filter concealer, a lipstick, a lip balm, and four lip glosses. Definitely one of my favorite brands!

bibi Avatar

Luxury:
Cle de Peau- I’ve loved everything I’ve ever bought from CdP! Easy Application, amazing quality, and performance, best for a “natural” or “Office-Appropriate” look. If you like Asian-style makeup (think delicate watercolors not heavily pigmented glam) you’ll love CdP.
Hourglass- Always innovative, never gimmicky, I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve ever bought from them. HG has set the benchmark for subtly glowing blushes, setting powders, and highlighters.
Drugstore:
Milani- Great quality, very affordable, fun color stories, fabulous performance. I’ve loved everything I’ve bought from Milani – lippies, eyeshadows, mascara, concealers, highlighters, bronzers, and I have every one of their baked blushes. For such an inexpensive brand, Milani’s packaging is quite sturdy too!
L’Oreal- Loved every product I’ve ever bought from L’Oreal. Ok, the lipsticks have this horrid Crayola-vanilla flavor/scent, but it dissipates quickly. Other than that I love their foundations, blushes, mascaras, eyeliner pencils, eyeshadow singles, – if I don’t know what to buy I’ll always choose a L’Oreal product first. Another drugstore brand that has sturdy packaging too! I do not like L’Oreal’s skincare though- tends to be loaded with alcohols that dry my skin out,

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