5 Beauty Products That Didn’t Work For Me And What I Use Instead

Today’s post is inspired by Mariia Cano‘s post where she shared her experience about some of the products that appeared to be not what was expected.

I’m going to start with the same intention sharing my list of not-impressed-me-at-all products as well as sharing what really works instead. So keep on reading!

1. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+

Although this CC cream is one of the Top Selling Products in Sephora this year according to Allure Magazine, I didn’t like it. Yes, it has SPF 50+ and yes it doesn’t dry out my skin, but the color selection is terrible, at least the Light shade that is closer to my complexion made me look grayish. On the days, when your face doesn’t really look healthy you turn to good foundation to add some color to your face, and this CC cream made me look even worse.

Instead, I’m using Diorskin Nude BB Creme from Dior (Shade 002) + NARS Smooth & Protect Primer SPF 50. This BB cream enhances my natural color and the primer protects my skin from sun exposure and makes the BB cream last longer.

2. Kocostar Split Ends Therapy

This is perhaps the most terrible thing I ever tried on my hair. And believe me, I tried a lot.

Apart from convenience of the package and quite easy application, this leave-in treatment  made my hair look extremely greasy and gross and I didn’t even notice if  it made my dry ends any softer.

Instead, I’m going to share with you my favorite hair mask from ESSENTIAL.

[The Face Shop] Essential Damage Care Dual Deep Treatment is also packed with all the ingredients mentioned in Split Ends Therapy but it actually works leaving my hair so silky. I use it instead of conditioner/ or after conditioner, leaving it for 3-5 minutes and then washing it off.

Alternatively, there is another DIY mask that stimulates growth and make your hair silky. I learnt it from my cousin. Here is the family recipe:

• 2 yolks
• 2 table spoons castor oil
•  1 tea spoon honey

Mix all the ingredients and apply the mixture to the roots. Add coconut butter on the length of your hair. Put a plastic cap on and wrap it with a towel. You would need to keep it for 2 hours, but the final result is really worth it.
One more hack: use egg’s whites as a face mask to minimize pores: just whip the egg white and apply it to your face for 15-20 minutes.

3. SwissCo Soft Touch Oval Brush Polypin

I got this Shower Brush from Marshall’s for $4 and honestly, it doesn’t work at all! It gets stuck somewhere in the middle of the length and I hear tearing sounds (my hair screaming) as i’m trying to brush through my wet hair. Interestingly, that I neither liked using it on my dry hair. I remember my hair artist using Wet brush on my hair at the salon and it was gliding through so easily, definitely not like the one that I bought from SwissCo. So please please please, don’t even think of buying dupes, it isn’t really worth your time and your damaged hair.

Instead, get the Original Wet Brush. They come in different colors and designs so that you have a variety of handles to choose and the quality won’t be compromised.

thewetbrush.com

thewetbrush.com

4. PÃœR  – HydraGel Lift

Dark under eye circles is one of my biggest skin issues so I’m open to experiments searching for products to improve the skin in that area and to cover it with make up. If you are just like me, you have probably noticed that when you apply makeup in that area it starts to crease really fast. So I decided to get an under eye primer to smooth the natural lines under my eye and prevent the concealer from creasing.

I tried the HydraGel Lift under eye primer after reading some good reviews online. Honestly, it neither smoothes my lines, nor hydrates the skin to prepare it for concealer. All I was feeling is some cooling effect which was even bothering me a little bit during cold season.

Instead,  the artists that was doing my makeover before the Anastasia Beverly Hills Master Class, recommended using a small amount of Make Up Forever Smoothing Primer after applying a tiny amount of moisturizer. When it comes to under eye are, you want to use only a fraction of products to avoid product build up in your lines and crease.

I got a sample at Sephora and little goes a long way! Will definitely get myself a full size next year.

5. JUICE BEAUTY – SPF 30 Sport Sunscreen

Despite the natural formula with organic ingredients, I didn’t like the smell and the thickness of the formula that doesn’t really moisturize the skin, but make it very sticky. My husband didn’t like the smell either saying “it’s disgusting” every time I was applying it.

Instead, I really liked the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion. The best part of it is that it provides broad-spectrum protection SPF 50+ and can be used on face and body.

Luckily, here in the US, stores like Sephora and Ulta have a customer-friendly return policy which actually keeps me less disappointed when the products do not work for me and don’t stop me from experimenting with new products.

What product was your biggest disappointment this year? Let me know in the comments down below!