What formulas have a unique texture?
ColourPop Super Shocks, which more are familiar with, though it was a texture that MAC, Dior, and Chanel had as well (prior!). The spongy, cream-to-powder formula is very interesting and less standard for sure, though. I also think ColourPop’s Jelly Much formula (which I wish they’d shove into a tube format) is also quite interesting, since it’s very wet but dries down nicely. Surratt Artistique Blushes have a slurry texture, which is more popular outside of the US, but it is more unique for a US brand.
— Christine
The problem with unique textures is that as soon as it’s popular it’s copied even if it may or may not work well when done by another brand. So it’s hard for me to know who was first, sort of like what you mentioned with ColourPop. But to add on to what you mentioned, of the products I have or have had (to include skincare): I really liked Marionnaud’s body cream in a jar. It had a whipped cream texture that I’ve only found done the same way by Treets Traditions in Pure Serenity Shimmering Body Cream Yuzu & Cherry Blossom. Both are no longer produced, so if anyone knows of them and has found similar I’m all ears. Makeup wise, the only thing that stands out that I like and works well due to it’s texture has been certain brow products, like MUFE’s Aqua Gel brow line. It’s the only product that makes realistic brows for me. Because I can’t take the time to use them well everyday, I settle for Maybelline’s Brow Satin or MUA Brow Define that both have a realistic color match and liner effect that’s somewhat natural and takes less time.
Well, I’d say the old Matte2 shadows from MAC (long gone now, sadly, and those that are still available are reformulated and not as good) along with Starflash (goodness, I loved that formula/texture). Clarins used to have the most terrific long wearing but not drying or nasty lipstick….sadly, GONE!!!! I could go on and on but what would be the point….too many beloved products and textures all gone in a puff of smoke. I only have one Pat McGrath shadow palette but I do find the texture of her eyeshadows to be pretty special, in the main.
K-Beauty brands do glitter shadows way better because they use the slurry method. I wish US brands would use the same instead of often suspending their glitters in a gel base.
Can you elaborate the differences between the two?
I’m sure there’s a more technical term to describe the process but instead of being pressed into the pan, it’s poured in so it starts off as a slurry (like wet cement is how I always visualized it as unappealing as that sounds). But then it’s a powder. Not entirely sure of the chemistry of how it all works though. I just know that the chunkier formulas (you’ll see them referred to as spangles in K-Beauty) are smoother and stay on hooded eyelids.
Now I feel a need to try this type of formulation. I might get a blush from Surratt, I have some on my WL.
I’m sure there are less expensive brands, I’m not familiar with K-beauty, except for some skincare.
I found the description very good, wet cement it is! 🙂
Right now the trend is natural color in K-beauty or everyday kind of makeup and then they add something sparkly to glam it up—I prefer a dark outer corner to smoke out my looks so I haven’t bought a lot of Korean brands last couple of years. I like Heimish but have heard good things about Rom&nd and 3CE if you’re looking for a place to start.
Thanks!
Also, I want to add the CP’s “glitter-metallic” formula in their new quads seem similar, at least as close as I’ve found in Western brands. But with less “spangles”. I do feel like their quads have been Asian beauty inspired anyhow.
What you said above, Christine. I would also add those marbled eyeshadows that Huda makes that once swirled together on one’s brush create very dimensional, usually duochrome eyeshadow shades. I say this realizing that Hourglass does swirls, too. But those are not duochrome, nor dimensional.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyebrow Freeze…. When used as a lip balm…. 🤦♀️
One thing I can think of, mostly because I’m not particularly fond of it, is MAC’s Powder Kiss Lipsticks. They feel different when I put them on, not in a bad way, but I can “taste” the way they smell, which is really weird and feels uncomfortable; when I wear them I constanly have this strange taste in my mouth I can’t get rid of.
I remember the first time I used a cleansing oil. It was so different and unexpected -in a good way. I quite enjoy putting it straight on my face and massaging it in. I also love cleansing shower oils- I love how much easier they are to massage over the body and I’ve come to prefer them to regular shower gels.
I am not sure if I know any unique textures in makeup products -some textures are unique to me because I haven’t come across them before like City Colors Sandstorm and Cleo eyeshadow singles because they were more creamy like than just straight eyeshadow powder. It’s the same texture that’s used in Maybelline’s Burgundy Bar that made it such a successful product to use.
Butter London has a jelly texture eye gloss that I love! Not sure if they came out with it first or Colourpop though?
And it’s not makeup, but the Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm is amazing as an overnight lip balm because the texture really sinks in, but isn’t wet or greasy. It feels very nourishing to me, and bonus, it wears well under matte lip colours!
The first thing that comes to mind is Samantha’s video trying out Saie, lol. So amusing when she says a product is “confusing.”
Then I remembered those Magically Cool Liquid powders that MAC came out with after Prescriptives shuttered. Several MAC formulas, actually, that they release once as limited editions and then just…abandon the technology.
I was amazed the first time I tried Giorgio Armani’s Lip Maestro formula (probably 7-8 years ago) because I had never experienced anything similar. I still love it, but I believe there are probably other brands doing something similar now.