What products are you least critical of? Why?
Just to reiterate, since I spend most of my time using products I’m testing, I think I’m critical most of the time (as I am looking for pros/cons!)… but not all “flaws” are ones I care about (personally!). I think I have a lower bar for what I want in a gloss – like it can’t be drying or glue-like, but if it’s sheer and lasts two hours, I’m not bothered! With facial cleansers, especially ones that I use in the morning (so no makeup to break down), I’m looking for something that cleanses without drying my skin out but feel like most do that!
— Christine
Probably face powders. I’ve got high end ones and low end ones and some pretty pricey ones that I really do love but there really isn’t a whole lot of difference between them all and if I’m honest, the cheap ones often do as good a job as the expensive ones and even those I have that aren’t really good are still okay because powder (setting, translucent, etc.) seems to be pretty forgiving.
Lipsticks/lip glosses… not to say there aren’t bad ones on the market but in general, this is something brands get right. And for me, I am interested something pretty on the lips that is mildly comfortable. I don’t need it to be super long lasting, fully opaque. I’m just not that fussy with lip products
And blush. Again brands generally get blush right. For me if I don’t like a blush it is bc of its color and not bc of formula. Again, I am not that picky with blush formulas. But I only wear powder so I cannot speak to creams or liquids
I’m least critical of the brands that I buy from repeatedly. Even if it’s subpar or just mediocre, I will work with it because of brand familiarity. And I stick to products that I’m familiar with like blush, lipstick, powder, foundation, eyeshadows and lip liners. I don’t try new ‘revolutionary’, ‘latest and greatest’ hyped products much anymore either. The hype is an eyeroll. At this point I am comfortable with what I have and I know what I like and stick to what I am used to so there’s not much to be critical of, even if it’s within a brand with which I am familiar.
The last 2 things that I took back were the MAC Risk Taker palette – that red purply shade was a patchy horrid mess and that minky metallic shade did not transfer to the lid from brush or finger – and a Burberry something or other in a pot many years ago. I tried Burberry’s mascara, a few eyeshadows, a mascara and a glowy face primer also and just . . . meh. I gave those away. I’ve heard their products described as very tonal and I would agree. I love the aesthetic and packaging but the products were too nuanced for me, too subtle and not enough punch (except for the lipsticks).
Lipstick. If it doesn’t settle into lines or feather too bad, it’s all good in my opinion.
Lip gloss and lipstick. So long as it doesn’t feather or dry my lips out, I don’t care too much that it doesn’t last very long. I don’t like eating/drinking with stuff on my lips so it seems like I’m always taking it off and putting it back on anyway!
Overall, I would say I am not a particularly picky consumer. If it is workable then I am happy. I would have to say when it comes to beauty products I am least critical of blush. I can’t remember the last time, if ever, I said, “WOW this is a terrible blush!” Even then it was most likely a shade issue and not a performance issue.
I agree-I’ll be happy with just about any product as long as I can work with it (foundation and concealer excepted-I need those to match right off the bat).
For me, translucent setting powders – I had the Laura Mercier one, which lasted only a few months and was good. Then I purchased the Rimmel translucent setting powder, at a fraction of the price, it lasted more than a year and was equally as good.
Mascaras – as long as it doesn’t promise to add length to my lashes, I am not fussy.
*Lipsticks and glosses — Most brands across price points do a pretty good with these. I just ask that matte lipsticks not be too dry. Lipglosses shouldn’t have cinnamon oil in them or make my lips stick together.
*Blushes — Again, most brands do a good job with these.
*Setting powders — as long as they’re not tinted and not heavily fragranced, I’m usually good. I tend to use cheaper ones: e.l.f. HD, RCMA, and Ben Nye.
My thing is mascara- I can’t remember the last time I tried a black/brown/grey mascara that I didn’t like. They just all seem great, like they do what I want and I move on.
Eyeshadow primer. If it keeps the shadows on, I’m usually fine with it. Now I’m starting to care a bit more about how they look on my lids (texture, hydration, etc.) but I don’t know where to start looking for alternatives because I’ve used the same one without question for years.