I shared this picture on Instagram last week, where I proclaimed this to be among my least favourite liquid foundations. If I have a Top 8 liquid foundation list, this one falls in my Bottom 8 foundation list. Ok, I lie I don’t have a Bottom 8 (although if I think hard enough, I might be able to pick them out) but if I had that list, this would be down there at No. 7.
But the abysmal performance of the foundation aside, what interested me were the comments I received. Those who had tried this foundation (so popular at one time, and which I hear, is making a comeback – WHY?!) agreed with me that it was heavy and greasy with no wow factor. But many were in agreement with the fact that as a brand, they tended to be disappointed with Benefit Cosmetics.
Naturally, that started me thinking. Is there a brand that consistently disappoints you with their products? Do you notice that trend, or are you liable to find hits and misses in all brands equally?
In the case of Benefit Cosmetics, I realised that although I used to wax lyrical about their box blushes and their cream eyeshadow (Skinny Jeans is still a fave colour although it’s dried out and been tossed) there is very little else I’ve used from the brand that merits my consideration.
I used to buy Benefit from their website whenever there was a sale, and share the purchase with friends to get free shipping. It was worth it then, because it’s overpriced at our counters (and still remains so) But then I realised that other than the 2 items I mentioned above, nothing else from the brand really grabbed me or impressed me enough to keep trying. This foundation was bought at the height of its hype and it dashed my expectations on the cold hard rocks of reality that it wasn’t a good foundation at all. At RM135 (then) I could have topped up just RM15 and bought a Diorskin Nude which is fabulous!
So therein lay the problem. As a brand, Benefit Cosmetics has cute packaging, quirky and catchy names and what seems at the first glance, to be an innovative/interesting product. They know how to use online hype to drive their sales and they are masters at using social media, bloggers and vloggers to push that hype for a new product. I noticed this with the It’s Real eyeliner last year and this year, the marketing for the Roller Lash is everywhere. You can’t move for having a close up eye with an apparently non-curler-curled lash staring in your face (don’t believe everything you see on Social Media, kids!).
But strip all the marketing and hype aside, and I find the products fairly mediocre. Even the blushes are, I’d agree average for the price. In fact, in recent years, while the prices of the blushes are kept constant, it turned out that they’re reducing the quantity in each box. Sneaky? Yes. Locally, I find it very hard to justify the price of Benefit simply because it’s priced too close to high end brands and honestly, I’d rather pay a little extra for a luxury brand.
But you know, Benefit isn’t a brand that consistently disappoints me. Strange as it may seem, the brand that has failed to blow me away is actually Burberry Beauty. I love the idea of the brand and I actually have a soft spot for the fashion side, Anglophile that I am. I also know that many people love their products.
But personally, everything I’ve tried from Burberry Beauty has been just average. Yes, their blush is nice…. but the pricetag is a bit too rich for my tastes. The eyeshadow quads have not impressed me at all. I tried one, and it left me feeling so bland, I have not tried another despite being swayed. After the 1 lipstick I owned turned after just a few months, I’ve stayed away from their lipsticks. Their liquid foundation leaves my skin like an oil slick. I suppose I’m extra harsh on them because they are a luxury brand with hefty pricetags and at this sort of price point, I expect a much higher standard of quality. But it’s not been the case in my experience.
That said, this is just my view. I’m open to trying most brands, but there are very few that consistently blow my mind. In fact, I’d safely say that there is none for me LOL! 😀 OK wait, I lie. Guerlain does often blow my mind 😀
Do you have a brand that consistently disappoints you with their products? Do you find yourself prejudiced the next time you try something new from it?
I admit I will be prejudiced. I try to keep an open mind, but hey, I’m human and you know, once bitten, twice shy! What about you? Is there a brand you keep trying and trying but just doesn’t wow you?
Paris B
Funnily, Benefit box o’ powders is still a star product in my books. I’ve lost count of the number of Dandelion boxes I’ve used. Love <3 The one brand that's consistently disappointed me is really Dior. I used to love their products but for some reason, all it seems is just pretty packaging and pretty design. The nail polish is really rubbish (don't know, maybe I have T-rex nails and I smash the keyboard extra hard), skincare is fragrance-laden. I just can't find anything from Dior that works. I used to love their eyeshadow quints but fallout galore! I'll be fair to say that my very unpleasant bag experience I had with them years ago does exacerbate the situation 😛
Many women I know swear by their products and hey, to each his/her own!
Benefit Box o Powders are good stuff! But over the years, they have reduced the quantity which bugs me somewhat. Not that I finish them (unlike you) but yeah, bugs me anyway LOL! Oh and their local prices too. BOO! I quite like my Dior. Works for me but their shadows are, I feel more “Japanese” in feel so if I work them the way I work my Japanese brands, they’re fine. If I try to work them like a “western” style shadow, they don’t hit the mark. But hey, whatever rocks our boat I say! 😀 I’d pan Chanel actually, well until they reformulated their eyeshadow quads, they were shit and their skincare breaks me out something awful. But then they changed things around and hey, new formula works 😀 But skincare still is touch and go.
I can’t say I have one brand … For the past ten years I was a creature of same ole same ole products so out of no where I busted out and am really “in” to make up! Got the I Wants real bad.
That said…now that I think of it, philosophy skin care promises a lot but it never truly delivered. I do like purity and hope in a jar for dry skin (newly discontinued ) but the other stuff I have tried, the exfoliants, line fillers, etc….meh.
I’ve never tried any Benefits products before but I do love Dior Air foundation!
Haha it’s the initial getting into makeup that really hits you (and the wallet) I remember when I first “got it” wow, wanted everything in sight! 😀 I’ve only tried 1 Philosophy product, the Microdermabrasion something or another. It was all the rage about 8 years ago. But I just found it average and never tried anything else. Did you mean the new Dior Nude Air foundation? I tried a sample, but wasn’t blown away 🙁
Agree with legeeque. I can never find anything from Dior that suits me. Usually I stay away from fashion brand cosmetics as I never really have good experience with them but I’m giving Marc Jacob eye liner a chance (not open yet!! ;p)
I’m pretty cool with Benefit but I’ve not tried their foundation beside their foundation Fake up(I think I got it right) but used it ages ago when my skin was “younger” & less to coverup
Oh the MJ liquid liner is quite impressive! Expensive though 😛 I’m quite a Dior girl – but Chanel doesn’t quite do it for me in a lot of ways. They have improved though, while Dior now seems to be sliding backwards for me haha!
Hello!
Benefit came up with another range. So far it has not disappoint me but the “Hello Flawless” does have it’s flaws. I noticed when the skin specialist applied. He used the “now” famous dabbing techniques & enhanced it with other Benefit products.
I made the mistake in my early days of using this by using the brush technique which although looks great/well covered but it also made my skin oily.
Now, I have switched to Shizens – so far am happy with it. I still switch & use my leftover foundations around just to play & utilize it. 🙂
I guess it will come down to technique and our preferences. I thought it was ok when I first bought it but for some reason it really went downhill after that LOL! Still, it’s not a brand I’m crazy over so I’m good. Their marketing is No. 1 though!
One of my friend highly recommended Foundation from Armani exchange. But once I used it I feel it was too rich n oily, and I left the foundation in my drawer for sometimes and I noticed a layer of oil appeared which make me fear of it n quickly throw it away
Yikes! It does happen with serum-type foundation which, if you were using from Giorgio Armani, it will happen over time. Happens to most foundations actually. GA actually does excellent foundations. I’m just kinda bummed they pulled out and never came back here 🙁
I’ve been disappointed by quite a few products from Benefit, e.g. Instant Brow Pencil, They’re Real Mascara and Porefessional Agent Zero Shine. However, contrary to your review, I do find Hello Flawless liquid foundation and its custom powder acceptable. I like it that they give sheer and natural coverage, with a dewy finish. I have combination skin but did not find Hello Flawless oily (I use it on top of Shu Uemura Poreraser). I’m guessing that this may be due to the different makeup mix we are using or our skin type. I’m not sure. 🙂
It’s good to know that this foundation works for you 🙂 I think often it comes down to personal expectations and experiences and well, we don’t all have the same skin right? 😀 But yeah, no more Benefit for me. Too gimmicky for the price! 😛
Ehh I never really liked Benefit either. After trying their lip tint I felt it was quite sub-par especially when I compare it to Korean branded lip tints. The product did not stain evenly and worse, it wore off in patches *shudder*. I have not had the urge to rush back to try any other products from Benefit and recent reviews (from friends and bloggers I follow) have the same consensus that Benefit products are not worth the price or hype.
Dior is another brand I have not been too impressed with. The eyshadow quads feel chalky and colour payoff is so sheer I might not have used it at all.
Haha I hear ya on Dior although i’m a fan but it’s mostly because I find them similar in texture and pay off to Japanese style eyeshadow. Same sheer, shimmery textures which I know doesn’t appeal to everyone, but which I cut my teeth on, so if I use it the same way I wear Japanese shadow, it works fine. But if I were to wear it like a Western shadow then yes, I agree that it’s lacking. But their blushes are really pretty though! That one I can’t fault 😀
I feel the same way about Benefit! I love the cream eyeshadows, but nothing much has compelled me to keep purchasing from them, so I have gone on an accidental Benefit ban. I find them generally quite sneaky.
I also loved this foundation at some point and then it started breaking up on my face and going splotchy as the day went on.
“accidental Benefit ban” Sounds just like me! I didn’t mean it, but it just happened haha! And like you, this foundation worked on me initially but it just didn’t work out in the end. Guess we’ve moved on to better things 😉
I haven’t tried the foundation you mentioned, but just based on the picture… Dat airless pump tho. *_* All base makeup should use either this packaging or squeezy tubes. Down with pumpless glass bottles!
Sorry, that was kinda off topic ^^;;
I’m not familar enough with brands to say any one entire brand has been disappointing. Maybe the US Shiseido skincare products? Overly fragranced moisturizers and drying as heck cleansers in multiple lines. I know they probably have great products too, but I’ve been hesitant to try anything else from them due to my bad experiences
hahaha Oh man! Pumpless bottles really get my goat! (I’m looking at you Nars!) I don’t understand why they can’t just package the damned pump instead of making us buy it separately. Great foundation, shit packaging 😛 Ooh I haven’t been a fan of Shiseido skincare too! I too find them drying but then I do find that Japanese skincare in general tends to be drying on me. I think it’s the alcohol coz they do infuse their skincare with it 😛
This is my first time leaving a comment, even though I have been stalking this blog everyday for reviews and muse. Hi Paris.
So here goes.. I have been using the Hello Flawless compact powder foundation and I felt it suits my skin color very well. So in love with it that I bought it twice and using it sparingly and alternately with the Revlon Colorstay Foundation which I use religiously everyday. I thought I wanted to give the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow a try, particularly because the powder version was out of stock and I am in desperate need of a foundation. I never thought I spent RM145.00 for this foundation only to find that this foundation disappoints me to bits. I am thinking of reselling it to those who finds it good and suitable to their likes, really. With RM145.00 I could buy, roughly three Revlon Colorstay foundation.
I have also tried their mascara, They’re Real. I have nothing against the product but I feel like I can get the same effect as They’re Real by using the Sephora Outrageous Volume with less price.
Now that I have read how Benefits disappoints many readers, I don’t have the eager to try any of their overpriced products anymore except sticking to the Hello Flawless powder foundation until I find a cheaper dupe.
Hiya Siti! Thanks for leaving your first comment! 😀 Goodness, I can just imagine your disappointment! 🙁 Revlon Colourstay foundation is really good. I like it too and from the pharmacy, it’s one of the better brands, I feel. I can’t help you with a dupe of the Hello Flawless powder foundation since I’ve never tried it, but yeah, they have excellent marketing, and really cute products but I feel the quality is just sub-par especially for the price. Did you see that roller lash mascara thing? Gosh, tell me about being overhyped 😛
agree with you. I have tried many Benefit products coz i love the packaging plus it has a big hype. They’re real mascara and eyeliner was so overhype. I bought them tried once then dont use anymore. Same goes with the their foundation, benetint etc.
Hey Peggy, you noticed the hype about Benefit too eh? I think they were better before they discovered social media LOL! Now that they have, gosh, they’re everywhere, pushing their pretty mediocre products in our faces.
It’s Shu Uemura for me. Nearly everything I’ve tried have not worked out. I have only kept one blush and one eyeshadow, which I use as a brow powder occasionally. None of the foundations sit well on my skin and I’ve pretty much given up on that brand. I’m okay with Benefit. Yeah, the products are gimmicky but there are a few I quite like.
Ooh now that you mention it, Shu does slip off my radar these days. There was a time I was very familiar with the brand, before they reformulated all their eyeshadows, twice! Now I don’t even pay attention to the brand anymore. I think the loss of Mr. Uemura definitely had something to do with the slide of the brand. Their brushes used to get my attention but when I last checked them out, I noticed the quality wasn’t as good as I remembered, and they felt thinner.
Elizabeth Arden skin care was just very very meh for me.. It didn’t break me out but neither did it do anything else. Clinique didn’t do very much for me either to be honest, nor did Estee Lauder (though I did like their pore minimizer serum and was allergic to their advanced night repair eye).
Bobbi Brown skin care was good with the exception of their extra eye repair cream which I’m allergic to.
It’s only when I switched to Shuu Uemura skincare that my skin turned better, so I’m thinking it might be I’m more suited to Asian skin care. After I finish my current set of skin care I’m going to try Kanebo Impress line next.
I think the Kanebo Impress line is quite good, if your skin likes Asian skincare. My skin started out with Asian skincare but doesn’t seem to be responding very well in the past few years so I’ve moved away. Clinique doesn’t do much for me either except for one or two targeted products that work fairly well. Their 3 step line was horrendous to me 😛 Ditto EL, some products I like. Not all because I find their products too fragranced. Bobbi Brown skincare was a surprise to be honest. I didn’t expect a lot, but some of their products are quite good!
I don’t buy much high end skincare or makeup so I don’t really have complaints. The only thing that has consistently disappointed me is Arsenal the football team :/
Hahaha.. that’s a good one.
LOL good one 🙂
OH SNAP! 😛
ROFLOL!!! But let me guess, you support them nonetheless 😀
I tend to be more hit and miss with brands, but that may be because my makeup collection is quite small. Revlon and Australis are brands that do tend to impress me, but I would never buy eye shadow from them since I can’t stand poor quality eye shadow. I don’t think I’d fork out the money for Benefit either since it’s so close to being a high end brand.
Ooh you are right about Revlon (coz I’ve only tried Australis’ mascara and that’s awesome!) Their face and lip products are really good but their eyeshadows really leave a lot to be desired. I could never make them work! At local prices, Benefit is practically a high end brand so their cardboard packaging does get my hackles up. If they want to charge high end prices, they’d better put it in high end packaging!
Ha now that you’ve asked… Benefit is definitely that brand for me. It seems like whatever I’ve tried from them just turned out so bad that I think it’s time for me to give up on it altogether. For me it is a brand that has a bigger marketing machine than anything else. Maybe they just get my hopes up too high, so each time I end up disappointed!
So sorry to hear you are disappointed by Burberry tho! Have you tried their single eyeshadows?
I think Benefit gets the hype coz they’ve mastered using social media and bloggers. That’s my view anyway. They really know how to use them to drive the hype of their new products. I have one Burberry single shadow. You are right, that one is pretty impressive in terms of texture. I have Pale Barley. But everything else I’ve used from the brand has just disappointed me 🙁
For me, it’s Lancome. I find their bases mediocre and skincare, does not suit my liking and preferences. And for the prices that they charge as well, for example, the latest cushion foundation by them, is exactly the same as a drugstore/ hughstreet cushion foundation from Korea (the Lancome’s cushion’s sponge looks like a sponge loofa thingy that is next to your bath – what I meant by mediocre). To make matters worse, normally cushion foundations comes in a refill (15ml x2 – even high end ones) but the Lancome one doesn’t, yet they charge 5x more. Disappointed? Yes.
Am also disappointed at some other brands as well but there’s an odd few products from them that I like, so felt like that justifies me not mentioning em ha.
You have a point about Lancome, Robert. I haven’t actually looked at the brand in a long time, much to my surprise. I suppose it’s because they have that odd item that’s a hit (some of their lipsticks are nice) but everything else is a bit meh. I had heard about the cushion foundation they released, but I hadn’t actually seen it. Is it really that expensive?! Gosh. How la to fight with the Korean brands, right? 😛
1. Shu Uemura and Anna Sui
2. Bobbi Brown
3. Benefit ( I only like their Bella Bamba blush)
Anna Sui, omg the scent!!! I used to love their mascara. They do excellent mascara but the rose scent they put in everything kills my interest >.<
Yup. I can’t stand Benefit. The products are overpriced and overhyped. I don’t buy anything from them anymore.
But I do love a few things from Burberry! Not their blushes so much, but the single eyeshadows are great. And I love their lipsticks too. The star product for me is the glow liquid-it’s amazing. Great to use as a primer, mix in foundation for a glow, or tapped on top of cheekbones for the most natural highlight.
I’ve been told often that the Burberry single shadows are good stuff. I have one Pale Barley and I do like it. But everything else I’ve used from the brand just doesn’t cut it for me. I know their lipsticks get a lot of love too but for me, somehow they just don’t “work”. I remember a friend telling me about the Glow base too. Somehow though, when you are based where you can get hot and sweaty at a moment’s notice, a glow is the last thing from my mind LOL! 😀
I actually really like the benefit wow flawless foundation, on the other hand I dislike the dior nude skin foundation! funny thing.
I’ve never liked the eyeshadows coming out of chanel or dior. I hear they reformulated but still don’t like them. haven’t come across an entire brand I dislike…..mostly I stick to bits and bobs here and there….
And that’s why there’s a product/brand for everyone out there! 😀 Chanel’s latest eyeshadows are impressive. Absolutely worth a look because they are now pigmented and blend beautifully. Dior is still a bit hit or miss despite their reformulation but for both brands, I find you have to like sheerer eyeshadows. They aren’t for those who’d prefer MAC or Urban Decay or something strong and pigmented. Perhaps it’s because those who can eventually afford the Chanel and Dior won’t be wearing that sort of colours and textures anymore LOL 🙂