A number of you have requested this post, and we do see merit in warning our readers about products that we deem utter rubbish. It’s not often that I’m left disappointed by products because I do a fair amount of research prior to purchasing, but sadly these ones slipped through the net:
Vita Liberata Ultra Sheer Tinted Gradual Mousse in ‘Light’
Towards the end of last year the usual ‘it’s suddenly summer and I’m so pale’ panic convinced me to dip my toe back in the self tanning pool. I did a lot of research beforehand and decided on Vita Liberata because it appeared to get the best reviews across the board. I wanted something subtle, so when the Gradual Mousse in ‘Light’ was recommended to me it sounded like just the ticket. Now, I know it says “Ultra Sheer” on the bottle, so perhaps my expectations were too high, but to me “sheer” still implies some colour, albeit not very much. After three consecutive nights’ use I still looked exactly the same, not a single shade darker. I very rarely self tan, so when I commit to it, I expect results – applying it is a pain, and sleeping with it on is gross. If I’m going to go to the trouble of tanning, I want to look tanned.
Dove Advanced Hair Series Oxygen Moisture Shampoo & Pure Care Dry Oil Conditioner
Please forgive the product photograph taken in Clicks – I had already thrown the bottles I’d bought in the bin before I decided to do this post. For context regarding my Dove choices: I like to use volumising shampoos and moisturising conditioners because if I use volumising only, my hair is too dry, and if I use moisturising only, my hair is too slippy (I find the Redken Body Full Shampoo and Pureology Hydrate Conditioner to be the ideal pairing). The aforementioned combination from Dove was horrible. HORRIBLE. The shampoo left my hair feeling completely stripped, as opposed to volumised, and the conditioner did absolutely nothing – I may as well not have used it (and I did use this combination a few times just to verify how horrible it was). The result: dry hair that was impossible to handle – by the end of my blow dry I was left with the exact opposite of ‘rich girl hair’. Two very dissatisfied thumbs down from me.
Note: if you are looking to try ‘drugstore’ hair care that actually works, try the L’Oreal Paris Hair Expertise range.
Catrice Beautifying Lip Smoother in ‘040 Coffee to Go’
Controversial. I love the colour, but the formulation dries my lips out something fierce – if I wear this for more than a day or two my lips descend into a chapped, flaky mess. The packaging and colour selection are similar to the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors, but I’m afraid that is where the comparison ends. I think the formulation of the Clarins offering is far superior, and actually conditions the lips as opposed to offering a slick of colour and not much else. And I’m not about to start applying a layer of lip balm prior to each application, because I simply don’t have the patience to try and find ways to make an average product work better.
Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder Brush & Bobbi Brown Full Coverage Face Brush
Can someone please explain these brushes to me, because I feel like I’m missing something? The amount of rave reviews online honestly made me think that my life could not carry on until I’d bought them…so I did.
When I felt the Sheer Powder Brush in store I noticed that it felt a little scratchy, but I assumed it would soften after I’d washed it. Not so much. If anything, it’s gotten progressively scratchier – how is that possible? At this point I am one wash away from slapping some Philip Kingsley Elasticizer on it to try and soften the bristles. I’ll admit that I’ve probably been ruined for life by the RMK Cheek Brush (soft, squirrely goodness), but honestly, I think that even Real Techniques pips Bobbi to the post on this one.
As for the Full Coverage Face Brush. Well *purses lips*. The Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is better, sorrybutitstrue. Sure, the Full Coverage Face Brush is nice and soft, and sure, it blends well enough, but it’s nothing to write home about. I didn’t notice any difference in my foundation application, nor did I find it significantly more pleasurable to use. Save your pennies and invest in some Real Techniques or Sigma brushes.
OSKIA Renaissance Cleansing Gel
The biggest disappointment of the lot. After this experience, I’ve come to the very sad realisation that Anna (Vivianna Does Makeup) and I might actually not be she-doesn’t-know-it-yet-best-friends. I bought this on the back of her glowing reviews, and I have to say, I just don’t get it. Firstly, it’s esspensive – over R600 at the time I bought it, which is by far most I have ever spent on a cleanser. Secondly, I haven’t noticed any change (better or worse) in my skin, it just looks the same. I suspect that in order to see the true benefit of a cleanser like this, perhaps you need to live in a city like London where pollution and general grime are in and on your face 24/7 ie the cleanser has some real work to do. Living in Cape Town doesn’t pose much of a challenge in that regard!
I have never spent a lot on cleansers because, to my mind, they are on my face for such a short space of time, the price just can’t be worth it. I was persuaded by the internet to change my mind and I (quite literally) paid the price. I will continue to use it until it’s finished because hello, the price, but this definitely won’t be a repurchase.
Are there any products you’ve tried recently which have left you with buyers remorse? Share the love and help educate us and your fellow readers!