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Allure’s Best of Beauty: Blockbusters, Flops, & Coming Soon
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items Welcome to the Allure’s Best of Beauty: Where my opinion is the star! After trying a handful of beauty’s most talked about products, I’m breaking them down into categories, because why not make it fun? We’ve got the ones that stole the show, the ones that didn’t quite make the cut, and tho...
Loved: These are the products that truly impressed. They’ve earned the fanfare and the applause.
Flops: The ones that bombed at the box office and ended up nowhere near the red carpet.
So-So: The ones that had their moments but ultimately didn’t steal the show. Just kind of…there.
Coming Soon: These are the ones I’m eyeing!! I haven’t tried them yet, but I’ve got high hopes.
Popcorn ready? Shh! The show's starting.
Loved: These are the products that truly impressed. They’ve earned the fanfare and the applause.
Flops: The ones that bombed at the box office and ended up nowhere near the red carpet.
So-So: The ones that had their moments but ultimately didn’t steal the show. Just kind of…there.
Coming Soon: These are the ones I’m eyeing!! I haven’t tried them yet, but I’ve got high hopes.
Popcorn ready? Shh! The show's starting.
Sections
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Blockbuster Hits That Will Stand the Test of Time
Flops That Should’ve Never Hit the Screen
Mixed Reviews That Left Me Questioning Everything
Coming Soon: The Next Big Thing (I Hope)
Blockbuster Hits That Will Stand the Test of Time
These products are the stars of the show. They’ve got all the right moves, and they deliver! No wonder they’re getting rave reviews. If it’s in this list, I’d buy more tickets to see them again and again.
I LOVE Exfolikate. It smells so good, it feels like a mini spa day every time, and my skin always feels so smooth the next day. Can't get enough of this one!
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment – Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid Super Facial Scrub Improves Texture and Pores
Even if you twist my arm really, really hard, I cant think of a negative thing to say about Tatcha. It is my NUMBER ONE skin care line. And this eye cream is perfection. It smells heavenly and feels like pure luxury. GET IT.
TATCHA The Brightening Eye Cream | Brightening & Dark Circle Reduction with Vitamin C for Bight, Firm Undereyes, 15 ml / 0.5 fl. oz.
Shiseido knows how to do luxury. There are two things I absolutely adore about this sunscreen: the satisfying shake of the bottle and how my skin feels when wearing it. And one thing I dont like: It’s a too pricey for daily use! (I still love it though.)
Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free Sunscreen SPF 42 - Protects, Hydrates, Mattifies & Works as Face Primer - Water Resistant for 40 Minutes - Non-Comedogenic
I’ve been using Tide since before I was born because my Nanny and her Mom used it. That’s a lot of Tide! I’ve tried other things…but always come back to Tide. My skin can’t handle anything else, so when it gets sad from other products, Free & Gen...
Tide Free & Gentle, Liquid Laundry Detergent Soap, Unscented, Hypoallergenic for Sensitive Skin and Free of Dyes, HE Compatible, 64 Loads, 84 fl oz
Gotta wear sunscreen! Might as well use something simple like a spray for kids who WILL NOT WAIT. I feel good using Neutrogena on them, and SPF 70 lasts a while. I buy it in the big 3 packs, because...kids!
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray, Broad Spectrum SPF 70, Lightweight Spray Sunscreen, Non-Greasy & Water Resistant, Oil-Free & Non-Comedogenic UVA/UVB, 5 oz, Pack of 3
Smells like cotton candy. Feels like lotion. Get some and don't delay!!
Watch This Hand Wash - Cotton Candy Scent
I dont *gasp* wash my face every day. But this is in my nursery for face washing when my skin needs to be babied. It's crying and reaches for it.
Cetaphil Face Wash, Hydrating Gentle Skin Cleanser for Dry to Normal Sensitive Skin, 20 oz, Fragrance Free, Soap Free and Non-Foaming
I don't usually go for these deep, rich colors, but I really like this one. This is a great polish with only one step.
Nails Inc It's Topless Gel-Like Nail Polish, 4-in-1 Base Coat, Treatment, Color, Top Coat, Long Lasting, Strong, Chip Free Nails, Glossy Salon Quality Manicure, Air Dry Nail Polish, Billie, 0.47 Fl Oz
Smells nice. Works great! Looks pretty too.
Pantene Miracle Rescue 10in1 Multitasking Spray - Heat Protection, Detangles, Repairs Damaged, Dry Hair, Improves Shine, Leave-In Conditioning Treatment with Keratin and Pro-Vitamin B5, 5.7 oz
I have all of them. Well, not all all, but a WHOLE lot more than any normal human needs. I'm so glad I'm not normal and can buy all the colors.
Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish - Mint Me In St. Louis, 0.31 fl oz (Pack of 1)
It's really good! I love the purple but would love to have all the colors. I know I only have two eyes.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil - Smudge-Proof, Long-Lasting, Transfer-Proof, Up to 16HR Wear, Smooth No-Tug Formula, Hydrating Color Liner With Vitamin E & Jojoba Oil - 0.04 oz
This stuff is LEGIT! I hate doing my brows and at 51, I dont have to and you cant make me. But whenever I want to, this makes it easy!
Anastasia Beverly Hills - Volumizing Tinted Brow Gel - DLX
There is something special about this powder. That's all I can say. It's THAT good. Even on over 50 skin.
Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Talc-Free Setting Powder Ultra-Blur: Hyaluronic Acid Infused, Natural & Blurring Finish, Long Lasting, For Normal to Dry + Mature Skin, 4 Shades, Holiday Gift Set
There are no lies told here. I'm here for Laneige.
LANEIGE Bouncy & Firm Lip Treatment: Plumping & Firming Lip Care with Peony & Collagen Complex, Ceramide Capsules, & 5D Hyaluronic Acid for Hydration
I'm only HUMAN!! And it was on sale. It's GOOD good.
SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Face with Five Types of Hyaluronic Acid that Smooth Fine Lines and Wrinkles, For All Skin Types, 2 Oz
I havent bought it again, but if I saw it on sale, I'd grab it. I really enjoyed using.
Get READY for BRIGHT, FIRM, and HYDRATED Skin with Barrier+ Triple Lipid-Peptide Cream!
Flops That Should’ve Never Hit the Screen
These didn’t even get close to making it to the top of the box office. They had big promises but ended up being total duds. A definite miss…they just couldn't deliver their lines convincingly.
I just don’t like it. It doesn’t do anything for me, and I don’t feel like it’s effective. For the same price, I can get Retin-A from Amazon Pharmacy, which works way better for me.
Differin Acne Treatment Gel, 90 Day Supply, Retinoid Treatment for Face with 0.1% Adapalene, Gentle Skin Care for Acne Prone Sensitive Skin, 45g Pump (Packaging May Vary)
I just don’t get it. There’s nothing special about it. Gold Bond Age Renew Overnight Retinol does all the things for my skin! And for a third of the price.
Kiehl's Ultra Body Barrier Repair Cream, Hydrating Body Lotion, Formulated for Sensitive Skin and Safe For Eczema - 8.4 Fl Oz
I get that it’s inexpensive, but so are lots of other things that actually work better. Try any Tree Hut lotion or body butter. They are scented, emollient, and way better, at a similar price point!
eos Shea Better Body Lotion Vanilla Cashmere, 24-Hour Moisture Skin Care, Lightweight & Non-Greasy, Natural Shea, Vegan, Vanilla Body Lotion, 16 fl oz
I'm 51 years old without a lip line in sight. I take skin care seriously. I've used this and every single lip product there is. This one does nothing for anti aging. Nothing! There are definitely higher end ones, but Carmex has anti aging ingredients for the same price point. And dont believe the myth that you'll get addicted to Carmex.
Vaseline Lip Therapy Advanced Healing 3-Pack – White Petroleum Moisturizing Lip Balm for Extremely Dry Lips, 0.35 Oz Ea
It's not good! It's too hard and too big and too much. I also don't love Beauty Blender. You know what I do love? Ulta's sponges! They are perfect. They come in a variety pack with a little case. Adorable!
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, Makeup Blender for Liquid and Cream Foundation, Full Coverage, Streak-Free Professional Makeup Tool, Cruelty Free, Vegan, Latex Free, 4 Count
Mixed Reviews That Left Me Questioning Everything
Not a total disaster, but not a knockout either. Some of these products had their moments, but I slept through others. There were a few highlights, but overall, they didn’t leave me on the edge of my seat.
It's alright. Nothing special. It does what it should, and it’s pretty unobtrusive. But you know what is special? Tony Moly X Squishmallows patches. Those are the real winners!
Mighty Patch™ Original patch from Hero Cosmetics – The #1 Hydrocolloid Acne Pimple Patch for Shrinking Zits and Whiteheads in 1 use; Nighttime Spot Stickers for Face and Skin (72 Count)
I don't have sensitive skin so maybe I cant judge this properly. But it's a decent hand soap. That's all I've got.
Dial Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap, Aloe, 11 fl oz (Pack of 12)
Meh. It's aight. It's for sensitive skin and I know you have to be careful there but Dove has a wonderful body scrub that is also for sensitive skin and does a much better job at being a good scrub and being gentle. (I use it on my face and you can too!)
St. Ives Gentle Smoothing Face Scrub Our Gentlest Scrub Yet Rose Water and Aloe Vera Made with 100 percent Natural Exfoliants, Paraben Free, Oil-Free, Dermatologist Tested 6 oz
I'm a big fan of Neutrogena but this one just mediocre. They actually have one that I prefer for sensitive skin called HydroBoost Water Cream. It feels so bouncy and light. Give that a try instead!
Neutrogena Collagen Bank Face Moisturizer, Daily Anti-Aging Face & Neck Firming Collagen Cream, Bakuchiol & Micro-Peptides Face Lotion, Support Skin’s Natural Collagen for Visibly Plump Skin, 2 fl. oz
They are fine. They have some cute ones. But they dont last as long as the KISS do for me. And they dont have as many styles as I like. I'll still buy them, dont get me wrong…
Glamnetic Press On Nails - Goal Digger | Glossy, Semi-Transparent, Short Round Nails, Salon Quality | 12 Sizes - 30 Nail Kit with Glue
It's fine. It protects you from the sun. But for half the price and a better scent (along with a host of other things I like better), you can get Supergoop's mineral sunscreen.
EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Face Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, All Mineral, Safe for Sensitive Skin SPF 50
It's aight. I feel like at this price point it needs to be better than average though. For the same price you can get Nooni Appleberry that taste, smells and feels better.
e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil, Nourishing Tinted Lip Oil For A High-shine Finish, Infused With Jojoba Oil, Vegan & Cruelty-free, It's Giving Guava
Coming Soon: The Next Big Thing (I Hope)
These are the ones I’m dying to see. They have all the rave reviews. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but the buzz is real. They’re sitting at the top of my list…just waiting for their moment to shine in my beauty routine.
I want Beachwalk!!! I have a bday coming up, maybe I'll get some. How many perfumes is too many? My mom was wondering. Not me. Not me!
Maison Margiela - Replica - Beachwalk Eau de Toilette - Fresh Fragrance - With Bergamot, Ylang Ylang & Coconut
I've coveted it for so longggg. But it costs so much. Do you have it?
Dyson Airwrap™ Multi-Styler Complete Long