What brand's releases have been overrated in the last year?

I want to say either Wayne Goss Cosmetics or Tom Ford. I’ve found Wayne Goss Cosmetics to be pretty underwhelming (particularly compared to the brushes, which I’ve enjoyed for years), both in terms of quality and the kind of products released. Tom Ford feels like the brand has been spinning its wheels for the last year or two.

— Christine

22 Comments

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Mariella Avatar

While I haven’t tried either of them, from the reviews here, I’d have to agree with Christine’s choices of Tom Ford and Wayne Goss. I adore Wayne Goss – his skills, his generosity in sharing his skills on youtube, his entire manner, so I was really hoping his makeup collection would be a winner. As for Tom Ford and his always over-inflated prices and his frenquently under-performing products, I say “feh”!

I guess a (dis)honourable mention should go to Urban Decay!

kjh Avatar

Agreed w/TF and WG. Cannot believe my fantasy son released such poor quality e/s palettes or that his L/S and esp eye pencils were insipid, showing zero imagination. Nyx and CP deliver a better product, with far greater variety and a better price point. But it’s not as if WG has not touted schlock before. It just didn’t have his name on it. His brushes remain my faves. MJB seems to be dwindling and dying on the vine. UD remains well rated through the hardly unbiased review process. Same is true for CP. Both cos have had significant market dominance, and it seems there are loopholes to make sure you keep it. The rep holds up, even though the products do not. UD/CP have cut corners, developed crappy formulas or become ridiculously repetitive. Those guys seem impervious to any criticism from reliable sources, because they know they can weather it. I think in finance/investments it’s called ‘see through the volatility.’

Cynthia Avatar

Wayne Goss releasing cosmetics was so exciting to me but I felt so disappointed by the quality and products being released. I was hoping for something that reflected his makeup style and was up to par with the quality of his brushes.

Caroline Avatar

I agreed – don’t know much about the WG’s make up, but Tom Ford hasn’t really come out anything impressive for a couple of years for sure. Hourglass would be another one. I was disappointed with their palettes, blush and face. CoverFx, Becca, Two Faced, Tarte, Bobbi Brown, and Urban Decay? Haven’t seen much excitement from them either.

Lydia Avatar

I feel like nothing that Colourpop has released in forever has been noteworthy at all. And unfortunately Pat McGrath hasn’t been all that exciting recently, though I am pumped for her re-release while sort of being sad that it’s an old product coming back that’s way more interesting to me than anything new lately.

Wayne Goss Cosmetics, sadly, taught me to never just jump on a release without waiting for reviews…

Nancy T Avatar

Far too many. Lately, whenever I hear of a new release/collection from either Urban Decay or ColourPop, I’m pretty much prepared to be disappointed and letdown. The QC of both has been steadily declining over the past few years for both, especially so for UD. And then there’s the two that you mentioned. Both of them falling flat, mostly because they’re boring shades, particularly in their eyeshadow selections they’ve been sticking in palettes.

Teresa Avatar

I have a few of the WG cosmetics and like them but don’t love them. I had hoped for more of a bang with his eyeshadow palettes. I do enjoy my blush/highlighter palette but I really want to see some deeper lipstick shades and maybe expand into a creamy matte formula. I agree that Tom Ford appears to be relying over much on the reputation rather than the reality of lackluster performance of the eye shadows. Can’t argue with the good foundation but also can’t justify the price tag for them when there are comparable options at a much more accessible price point.

Eleanor Avatar

i thought it was just me thinking that. i totally agree with wg comments. why wouldn’t his makeup be as wonderful as his brushes? not so with the lip products i tried, so i haven’t tried any more of his collection.

DUA Avatar

I don’t understand the hype around Natasha Denona, Charlot Tilbury, Jeffree Star & Fenty (ok, I understand it’s Rihanna for this one).

The last thing a bought from Colourpop and genuinely loved was the second Karruchi collaboration (still looking for dupes for Dame bronzer).

To be completely honest, make up is no longer exciting to me as it was before.

I think my interest grow towards other things now.

Ivy Avatar

I definitely agree with Wayne Goss, though at this point I see him more of an influencer brand than a MUA brand. I feel that a lot of the brand regardless of quality is basically backed up by a small group of influencers who have relationships w/him and tend to review his products favorably.

I feel this way about Chantecaille as well, I can’t speak to how good the quality is, but I do feel as though their releases are overhyped among influencers despite some items such as their eyeshadow and blushes being extremely overpriced in my opinion. I also feel they’re overhyped for their philanthropy and marketing marketed corporate philanthropy is somewhat distasteful to me, so all in all I just think the brand’s releases get hyped up more than they deserve.

Christine Avatar

Chantecaille’s charity angle has driven me bananas for years; like something is better than nothing, but it’s not at all compelling or really deserving of applause. They haven’t disclosed how much is donated in YEARS, and when I’ve seen disclosures, it was like… 5% of proceeds. It always grated to hear someone talk about how great the charity aspect was on luxury priced products when it’s so miniscule.

I just looked to see if there was any more disclosure, and they are donating one bottle of milk to feed orphaned elephants–a $3 value!–when you purchase their $128 cushion foundation, so you know, 2.3% charitable donation.

Ivy Avatar

It’s really funny you mention the cushion! It was the only product of theirs that really interested me, but when I saw so many reviews and their site talking about “1 cushion gives 1 bottle of milk” I felt that was shockingly low donation, and also found the exact same link on their site saying you could give a direct donation for $3. I suppose in some respect it’s good that they are advertising the direct donation, but that stopped me in my tracks immediately.

I find them using their charitable donations as a marketing tactic as a negative as it is, but the fact that they are still very cagey about the donations and that influencers pretty much uncritically talk about those donations when advertising the brand (I understand they’re getting PR, but still) just doesn’t sit well with me and I don’t feel like I can order from the brand in good faith.

Christine Avatar

I totally get you, Ivy! I feel like the charitable component gets a lot of attention and is really overblown given the lack of transparency on most products + how little it has ended up being when disclosed at all!

I usually don’t bother talking about a brand’s “charitable” product if it isn’t a significant portion or isn’t clearly disclosed for this reason!

Jane Avatar

What’s sad is I REALLY wanted to support Wayne on this collection, and in particular the palette you posted as personally I like the dark quirkiness of the color scheme, but it just rated tooo low for me to invest that kind of money for it. If ever it’s on a deep sale, I’ll likely purchase it though, just because.

Jen Avatar

Charlotte Tilbury – I have no doubt that it’s a good brand from what I’ve heard but to me every release looks the same. I feel like I should go on and get my makeup lover’s obligatory stick of Pillow Talk already but I just can’t pull the trigger on it because the thought of it bores me.

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