Last week, I published my Best in Beauty 2014 list. I had a tough time limiting it to 18 products, and I tossed in two extras at the end. I discovered so many great beauty products this year, it was almost overwhelming.
But what about the duds?
Fortunately, I had very few major disappointments. Two key disappointments were both mascaras. There are so many good mascaras available now that clearly the technology to make a decent mascara is definitely there. So how did these fail?
The other product that I have a bone to pick with is lash adhesive.
Be A Bombshell Lash Out Mascara
I received the BAB Lash Out Mascara in an ipsy bag in the early part of 2014. I was excited about it because I like the lip/cheek stick, the lipgloss and lip crayons that I’ve purchased from BAB.
Lash Out Mascara was supposed to be a lengthening formula, but I have no idea whether it delivered on that promise or not because I never put it near my eyes. When I and lots of other ipsy subscribers opened the tube, it smelled terrible, horrible, disgusting! Definitely not something that I wanted to put on my sensitive eyes. I tossed it.
I complained to ipsy about it, and they sent me a replacement product from another brand. What was so odd, I thought, was that Be A Bombshell didn’t respond at all. Lots of women received the BAB Lash Out Mascara and had the same bad experience that they also reported to ipsy. Why wouldn’t BAB address the issue? Say it was a bad batch that sneaked through, or just say “I’m sorry”. Send out a replacement BAB product instead of a random brand. My confidence in BAB definitely took a hit.
Paula Dorf Teal Mascara
I love colored mascaras. I have for years. I’ve tried all shades of blue, purple, brown, green. So I was so excited when I had a chance to try Teal Mascara from Paula Dorf.
I also got to try out Paula Dorf’s beautiful Aztec City Eye Palette, 5 desert-inspired shades, that I loved.
The teal mascara came in a very upscale looking rubberized black tube. I had great expectations. But what a letdown! I applied coat after coat of the thin mascara trying to get it to show up on my blonde lashes. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. No length, no volume, no teal color at all. So disappointing. I threw it out.
I reviewed it for Brandbacker who provided the products. And to their and Paula Dorf’s credit, they published my review without changing a word. However, I was disappointed that again no one got in touch to say anything about the product. Was it a bad batch? Are they reformulating it? What the heck happened? I guess I’ll never know.
Ardell LashTite Adhesive
In early December, I applied false lashes for a holiday look I was creating. I used strip lashes, but by mistake (my mistake!), I applied Ardell LashTite Adhesive for Individual Lashes.
Since individual lashes are meant to stay on for a couple of weeks, the adhesive is very strong, super strong. I didn’t realize that I used the wrong adhesive. And I didn’t realize that you need adhesive remover to get the lashes off.
One of the strip lashes went on perfectly, but the other one didn’t. Unfortunately, it adhered and I was having a heck of a time trying to get it right. Somehow I got it on well enough to take some pix.
Then, my eyes started watering like crazy. And itching. I could hardly wait to take those lashes off. Then I realized I couldn’t get them off easily like I could when I used the adhesive for strip lashes.
I freaked out. I appealed to my “fellow” beauty bloggers, and they had a number of suggestions when I explained that I used the wrong adhesive. I went to a couple of nearby CVS and Walgreens, and there was no individual lash adhesive remover to be had. Sally’s Beauty was too far away to try. So, I tried using coconut oil, literally soaking my lashes in coconut oil, and then yanking the lashes off. OMG, that was awful.
I have since looked at lots of reviews of Ardell LashTite Adhesive for Individual Lashes, and others have complained that their eyes water and itch from this adhesive. Some complained that Ardell LashFree Adhesive Remover wouldn’t remove the glue, that it took a long time to work to release the lashes, and that the lash remover burned like crazy if it gets in your eyes. Some complained that after the lashes finally fell off (after a couple of weeks), the glue remained behind. Something seems wrong here. I think I’ll be passing on both LashTite Adhesive and LashFree Adhesive Remover.
BTW, I do not have this problem with the Ardell Adhesive for Strip Lashes.
Does anyone have any better suggestions for applying and removing individual lashes?
Wrap Up
So I was lucky: only three truly disappointing products this year. I have other product disappointments, but they weren’t bad products…more like my own issues.
For instance, I am very sensitive to peppermint oil, and I wish that OCC Lip Tar and Tarte and L.A. Colors would take the peppermint oil out of their lippies, but I’m sure they won’t since most women do not have any issues with it.
How ’bout you? Any products you would add to the list of dogs for 2014?
I had the same bad experience with the Bombshell mascara but didn’t think to complain. I tossed it after one try.
I was angry, Marcia, that there appeared to be no quality control from either BAB or ipsy. That’s why I complained. But I was happy to receive another product…just surprised that it wasn’t a BAB product. I think BAB dropped the ball on that one.
It is refreshing to read periodic posts devoted to misses– especially since one becomes so accustomed to reading about Holy Grail products instead! That BAB mascara sounds horrifying! Like you, I have sensitive eyes, and anything that even gives the hint that it might bother my eyes isn’t even worth trying. It is for this reason that I avoid false lashes as well. If I want dramatic lashes, I use mascara. It’s just not worth the pain and discomfort for me! Excellent post, as always! <3
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Thank you again, Lola! I must admit that I haven’t tried falsies again since my mishap before the holidays. I’ve gotta get my courage up! And boy, I wonder don’t all companies test their products before taking them to market?
oh my goodness, you had some bad luck when it came to mascaras!
Yes I did, but luckily I found some great mascaras this past year too including my fave L’Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Intenza Mascara 🙂
I tried two Sephora brand products this year and was very disappointed with both. One was an individual eyeshadow in a medium gray shade–not very pigmented at all, so I had to apply a ton to see it, plus the color wasn’t very true and looked strange on me. Also tried a travel-sized eye liner pencil in navy… only $5! But it was hard as a rock and I couldn’t get it to show up at all without killing my eyelids. 🙁 At least they weren’t expensive.
That’s a bummer, Kim! I heard that Sephora reformulated their product line, but I wasn’t sure I believed it so I haven’t tried anything from them recently. I have heard good things about the Sephora liquid lipsticks/stains though.
I got that Bombshell mascara but have not tried it yet!
Smell it before you try it, Eugenia, or just toss it. I’m pretty sure it won’t be any good.
Such a refreshing list – everyone always praises their favorites but it’s fun to read a post like this!
Thanks, Deborah. Hope you didn’t get any dogs this past year 🙂
Too bad about the Bombshell mascara. Paula Dorf didn’t do anything for me either.
Aleya Bamdad recently posted…Valentia Even Glow Serum Review
I wonder whether the Paula Dorf folks did any testing with the teal mascara? How could they release it when it doesn’t work at all?
That bombshell mascara sounds ghastly!
Thankfully most of my duds were samples or gwp. I did have to return my purple Dior IT-lash mascara, but that wasn’t because it was a bad product, just that one of the colourants irritated my eyes. I used up my tube of IT-blue with little issue, so even though the purple didn’t work out, I’m not holding it against the brand. My eyes are evil and picky, and I generally anticipate some degree of revolt.
Yes, the BAB mascara was ghastly and the Paula Dorf was just a disappointment. Like you, I love colored mascaras. And I have always had good luck with the DiorShow colored mascaras. Sorry you had a bad time with the purple Dior IT-Lash 🙁 It would have been so pretty! It’s tough and unpredictable having sensitive eyes. I can attest to it as well.
That Be a Bombshell mascara was seriously the WORST. I still can’t believe ipsy actually shipped it like that.
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…NARS Holiday 2014 Haul – Swatches, Photos, Review
Me, too, Brooke! Don’t you think they would have tried the product before putting the bags together?!
This year my biggest disappointment was the Sephora Rouge Lipstain. It flaked off my lips!
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Really, Miranda? I thought I had heard some good things about that line, and I almost bought it. Guess it’s good that I didn’t!
I haven’t tried any of these products, and now I never will. Thanks for the honest review 🙂
Yes, stay away from them 😉
that lash thing is horrible! so sorry you went through that 🙁
Yes, I kinda freaked out 😉
Same here with the Bombshell Mascara, I was so disappointed but I think that maybe the only bad thing I tried this year which is pretty good:)
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Yes, that is pretty good if it was the only bad product, Helena 🙂
Oh man. That eyelash adhesive sounds downright scary. I wasn’t even aware of that product. I swear by my Duo lash adhesive- that stuff works great!
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What I didn’t realize, Brianna, is that there’s a lash adhesive for strip lashes and another more permanent adhesive for individual lashes. My bad for not doing my homework. But the more permanent adhesive drove my eyes crazy, so itchy and burning. And the bad news is that no stores anywhere near me carry the adhesive remover 🙁
Thankfully, I never had the chance to try your #beautyfails I have a similar post coming up soon 🙂
Looking forward to yours, Kathryne. I was lucky I only had a few this past year
Every time I try a beauty product with peppermint oil, I think of you! I reviewed a mint lip balm that made my eyes water, and I love mint. I’m also reviewing a skin serum with peppermint oil that I like, but you would hate, hate, hate. I am getting the jibblies reading about your poor lashes and that adhesive again. I hope they’re growing back!
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That’s so nice, Nidia, that you think of me in regard to peppermint oil. No peppermint oil products are on my list because I now know to avoid them, thank goodness, and I know most others can wear them with no problem. Yes, my lashes seem to be OK now, but I still haven’t put on a pair of falsies since. 😉
Only three! That’s not bad at all! 🙂
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Yes, I guess I was lucky this year!
I like reading about the disappointing products too! Great post.
I agree that it’s good to know which products to avoid 🙂
I’m very picky about my mascaras. Thanks for letting me know to avoid these ones!
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Definitely stay away from those two!
I’ve never tried any of these products (a don’t think I will now!) but that’s crazy about the lash glue- doesn’t sound fun at all!
That lash glue was sooooo awful on my sensitive eyes! Never again 😉
That bombshell mascara straight up sucked!
Exactly!
Oh my goodness, I would have been in full-on freak-out mode with the lashes & glue. I’m so glad you found a way to get them off. Hopefully, they didn’t pull any lashes out. :\
Actually, Natalie, I was in “full-on freak-out mode” (I love that description! It’s exactly right). I wouldn’t have thought of the coconut oil but it eventually worked. Although I did lose a few lashes, they seem to be returning. I’ll never make that mistake again!!!!
Hi Allison! I’m sorry you and peppermint oil don’t go well together. I love minty flavored products and would almost always buy anything that has that flavor. On the other hand, I find that I don’t like lip products with vanilla or downright sweet flavor to them. 🙂
As for disappointing products of 2014, I could only think of one – a Bonita eyeshadow palette that I purchased thoughtlessly way back. The pigmentation was meh, but the fact that I have not reached out for it after swatching it the first time made me regret that purchase.
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Unfortunately, although I love peppermint as a flavor, it burns and dries out my lips so I really do have to avoid it. I’m glad that you had only one disappointing beauty item this year. I’ve never heard of Bonita, but the name is distinctive and I will remember to avoid it. 🙂
I could say the same thing about you – three disappointing products for the whole year isn’t bad at all. I find that most people have at least twice as much disappointing ones in their collection. The good thing though is that one can pretty much return the disappointing products there (at least from what I’ve heard), so one can still use the money/store credit for an item you really love. 🙂
Kissel recently posted…Milani Multitasker Face Powder Review
That’s great that you didn’t have to many duds!
Yes, and of course, something I just bought from HSN that arrived in January is my first dud of the new year 😉