You're welcome. PHOTO: PROJECT MAKEUP
I wanted to share some of the products that are always discussed on Youtube/beauty blogs and which I am also guilty of purchasing just because I didn’t want to miss out. They are not necessarily over-priced, and may also give you the intended results, but I feel that these products are not as good as they are touted to be.
1. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
Urban Decay Naked 2 costs USD54. PHOTO: FILEI don’t think I got much use out of this palette at all. For the price, USD54, I find that this doesn’t offer as much variety as I would have liked. I also find the packaging a little inconvenient and bulky. I hear the Naked 1 offers the best colour variety and use, so I may just have picked the wrong one, or maybe there just wasn’t as much choice when I bought this about 3 years ago.
Recommended alternates: Tartelette in Bloom by Tarte (USD45), Urban Decay Naked Basics (USD29), any of the Too Faced Chocolate eyeshadow palettes (USD36-49)
Top: Naked Basics, Bottom Right: Too Faced Natural Eyes, Bottom Left: Tartelette in Bloom.2. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer
Luara Mercier Tinted Moisturiser costs USD44.PHOTO: WHATTINALOVESOil free, SPF20 and a wide colour range – what more could a girl ask for, right? WRONG. As I have tried more and more products, I have realised that this really does not add any coverage to my skin, and does not last very long at all. For the hefty USD44 price tag, I would not recommend this to anyone going forward.
Recommended alternates: DiorSkin Nude BB Cream (USD45 for 1 oz, much better coverage), NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (USD44 for 1.9 oz, SPF30), Bourjois CC Cream, Foundation (USD15 or below, SPF15).
Left: DiorSkin Nude BB Cream, Centre: NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturiser, Right: Bourjois CC Cream, Foundation.3. NARS The Multiple in CopaCabana
PHOTO: TOHOMEBEAUTYI think I have literally never used this product. Ever. It was USD39 for 0.5 oz of product, and it is absolutely terrible. I was never sure if I should just swipe it across my face, or use my fingers to tap some on, and I think it is too late now since the product dried up very quickly! Extremely disappointing, and wrong choice of colour (by me).
Recommended Alternate: For a cream finish and similar highlight – MAC cream colour base in Hush (USD22).
PHOTO: ASCOTISHLASS4. GlamGlow Thirsty Mud
PHOTO: THELDNDIARIESI had seen the Glamglow range at my local spa, as well as had read many reviews online, so I was very curious to try this. I am glad I picked it up in the 20% off sale at Sephora (USD69 for 1.7oz), otherwise I would have been even more devastated at my purchase than I currently am. I really do not understand the hype around this product, or GlamGlow in general, especially for the price.
I also bought a travel size of the Supermud Clearing Treatment (still super expensive) but it did absolutely nothing for me.
Recommended Alternates: Literally anything else. You could try products from The Body Shop (great masks and oils!), Kiehl’s or L’occitaine to name a few.
PHOTO: PRETTYPOTTERING5. BioDerma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
PHOTO: MUSINGSOFAMUSEOK, this is not a bad product – it does the job, but I just don’t find it as amazing as the reviews or rave around it. I find it to be a bit harsh, and I feel like some of my eyelashes come off with it when I am removing my makeup. I bought the travel size to try, and I did not find myself using it very much. It is good for days when I don’t feel like doing a full-on cleanse, but just wipe down my face with a Micellar solution.
Recommended Alternates: Simple Micellar Water (USD3 for 200ml), Vichy 3-1 Micellar Solution (USD15 for 200ml), Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Oil (USD15 for 200ml)
PHOTO: AMAZON The writer is a Strategy Specialist by day and beauty blogger by night. Based in Dubai, she blogs at Project Makeup.
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