When I review products, I try to test them out for a length of time that gives me confidence that I know what I’m talking about, lol. For skincare, I aim for about a month before reviewing a product. But sometimes, when I use a product till I use it up, I change my mind and alter my opinion. Here are just a few where I’ve had a change of heart.
Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer: ⇑
When Tarte released Shape Tape earlier this year, there was a lot of hoopla around the introduction. I decided I needed to try it for myself. When I first started using it, I wasn’t bowled over it, and I decided not to review it. One thing that I still don’t like is the thick, stiff doe-foot applicator. Why is it so fat and so rough feeling? But truth be told, it’s not a deal-breaker.
As the months have passed, I like Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer more and more. I bought the shade Light (the second lightest shade after Fair), and it is quite Light (in other brands, it might be considered “fair”.) I love using it under my eyes as a highlighter. I sometimes layer it over my foundation and the Judith August Orange Mask Concealer that I use to color correct my dark circles, or just over my foundation. The thick, creamy, very pigmented concealer definitely makes a difference. I don’t set it with powder because my skin/undereye area is too dry.
Tarte Frxxxtion Stick: ⇑
Here’s another product that when I first got it, I was underwhelmed by it: Tarte Frxxxtion Stick. In fact, I received this deluxe sample in a Sephora Play bag during the winter at the same time as I received a full size PUR Joystick Exfoliating Deep-Pore Cleanser. Because they perform the same function, I compared them, and I thought I preferred the PUR Joystick. In fact, over time, I have come to appreciate Tarte Frxxtion Stick. The Frxxtion Stick is a deep purple waxy balm that turns my face purple when I use it. Initially, I disliked the deep purple color. Now I’ve decided that I like that I can see where I’ve applied it! The “grit” that does the exfoliating is a fine caliber. The FrXXXtion Stick deep cleans my dry skin that doesn’t have a lot of visible pores, and it isn’t irritating to my somewhat sensitive skin. The waxy balm leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated. So I decided I like this handy, gentle exfoliating cleansing stick after all.
MyChelle Quick Clean Micellar Water: ⇓
MyChelle is a natural skincare brand that I like a lot. Their affordable products that you can buy at Whole Foods and natural products stores are effective and within reach.
I received a bottle of MyChelle Quick Clean Micellar Water to try out several months ago. I’m a big fan of micellar water and I was eager to try this one out. First, I noticed that the bottle had a handy-dandy push-down top that brings up the liquid onto a cotton pad.
The top works the same way that Zoya Nail Polish Remover does. Over time, I found that the push-down top doesn’t work as well to bring up the micellar water onto a cotton pad as it did when it was new and filled to the top. It requires multiple pushes to get enough on the cotton pad.
Another thing that was different about this micellar water from others I have used is that it says to shake the bottle before pumping some out. That implies that something has to be mixed. The other brands of MW don’t need mixing. I know shaking before use isn’t much of an issue but it makes me wonder what’s different about what’s in it.
Most importantly, I don’t think MyChelle Micellar Water is as effective and easy to use as my two favorite micellar waters, BioDerma Hydrabio and Garnier. I have to make more passes on my eyes especially to remove my eye makeup, and I don’t like having to tug at my eyes. Disappointing.
So as much as I like MyChelle, I can’t really recommend the micellar water. 😥
Mineral Fusion Intense Hydration Face Cream with Hyaluronic Acid: ⇓
Mineral Fusion, like MyChelle, is another affordable, high quality natural brand that’s sold at Whole Foods and other retailers that sell natural cosmetics. Mineral Fusion also sells makeup as well as skincare.
Last winter, I received Mineral Fusion Intense Hydration Face Cream with Hyaluronic Acid to test. It’s handy plastic tube makes it a great choice for travel or to bring to the gym. Receiving it in winter, I was impressed with how rich and thick the white cream moisturizer is.
The trouble that I am having with it over the months is that it seems to just sit on top of my skin rather than sinking in and hydrating my dry skin. I thought that it would work like a sleeping mask, giving my skin a serious and apparent boost of hydration. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to do that. It just sits there on top. Oh well, I’m glad I got to try it. I’ve taken to applying a serum or oil first and sealing it in with Mineral Fusion Intense Hydration Face Cream.
So here are two products that got better with use and two that did not. How about you? What have you liked more or like less over time? Spill it!
Hi Allison,glad you changed your mind about the Shape Tape Concealer,I really like it. One thing though,about the Micellar Water is they should say to shake well before use,there is a layer at the top third of the bottles that you can see when you look closely and I learned this by reading about them in some article or another and sure enough when I went and checked my Garnier I saw the clear layer on top that mixed in when shaken up.The writer called the layer “The magic in the water” and I agree.Let me know if you can see it,I promise you it’s there! Have a great day!! xo 🙂
Laura, thank you for that interesting bit of info! The MyChelle Micellar Water comes in a non-see-through plastic bottle so I can’t see the separation. Unfortunately, I used up my bottle of Garnier so I can’t check that one. But I am halfway through a big bottle of BioDerma Hydrabio and I have another untouched travel size of it, both of which are in clear plastic, and neither one says to shake or mix it and neither one has a separation, and I definitely scrutinized them both. So maybe it varies by brand??
I had to double check my Micellar Water…it is Garnier too. No info on shaking it up and no layer on the top 3rd. ??? But I did shake it up and will do that again before I use it tonight to see if I think it cleans better. I also love Tarte Shape Tape!
Thanks for looking at your MW, Sandy. It could be that some brands have some sort of chemical that keeps the layers from separating, maybe? Curious to see if you think shaking it makes a difference! And the Shape Tape has really grown on me xo
Dang,I hit send by accident. Anyway , I just saw Sandy’s comment and on the back of the Garnier bottle in small print it says directions and the first one is shake well. I checked their website (yes, I spent too much time on this,lol). If you vsn find the button for micellar water instructions it says it there as well. I’m glad Sandy will shake hers for now on because I’m sure, for Garnier at least,it does make a difference. Possibly from not shaking it the top layer got used,idk…OK,ramble over,have s great day ladies. 🙂
Thank you so much, Laura, for spending time on this. To be perfectly honest, I never noticed the “shake well” on the Garnier bottle, and next time I buy some, I will remember to shake it! I know I wrote about Garnier MW, and I doubt that I said to shake it coz I didn’t notice that. They should put it in big letters if it truly affects the performance. I looked again at the BioDerma, and it doesn’t say anything about shaking it. It just says “soak a clean cotton pad”, and it is clear, clear, clear all the way through. But maybe I’ll just shake it anyway, lol. I think I remember when I first wrote about micellar water, I read about “magic water”. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention, Laura xoxo
Hmmm…..I think you’re right that it varies by brand. I checked my Garnier bottle again(now I had to know,lol) and it does say to shake well. I spent some time on line and it’s hard but not impossible to find directions to shake well. Many videos a articles about Garnier don’t mention it and it kind of upsets me because I believe in this case it’s an important step. I probably spent more time than I should on this,lol. Next time you see a bottl
Laura, I just went back and added instructions to shake the Garnier MW to the review I did over a year ago. Thanks again for this useful info!
The one product that I changed my mind on was Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm, I hated it when I first used it but have since grown to love it and about to purchase full size. It’s it strange how we can love or hate something the longer we used it?
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I looooooove cleansing balms especially for the colder weather. I haven’t tried the one from Emma Hardie, but I have tried a couple and loved them. I just applied to Farmacy on Brandbacker to try out theirs.
One product I really disliked when I first started using it was a hydra/water based moisturiser that I bought in a rush without giving it a proper read. But I have really grown to love it! AT first my skin took a while to adjust to it as I had previously used quite a heavy day cream as I have quite dry areas on my face. But it has really managed to bring my skin under control and I’ve really grown to love it.
That’s so interesting, Alexandra. I think it can take time for skin to readjust to something with a new formula.
I love the concept of this post, Allison! We seldom go back to follow up on products in this way, other than maybe in an empties post. This is really quite helpful!
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Thank you, Helen. I think I’ll do this “cosmetics I’ve changed my mind about” post every now and then. There are so many products I’ve changed my mind about it could go on forever!
I was the same way about the shape tape. Everyone was hyping it up so much at first that I felt like the only person who wasn’t 100% sold on it. However, after I’ve been using it for a while, I’ve really started enjoying using it more. I think I need a different shade as I got the same color you did and it’s a little too light, but I’m still enjoying it!
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I was surprised at how light the Light Shape Tape shade actually is! And I’m glad I’m not the only one for whom it wasn’t exactly love at first use 😉
The one I’ve changed my mind about was It Cosmetics Powder foundation. I used it and then put it away, tried several times then I finally I LOVE IT. The secret is go light at first then touch up where you need more. I love that it has a SPF too. I have stayed with it now and really do like the results. I use It Cosmetics and Laura Gellers Balance & Brighten Power foundations. Have a nice evening 😘💐🍷
I have the IT Cosmetics powder foundation too, DiEtta. I bought it probably 18 months to 2 years ago. My skin is so dry, I could really only use it in the summer. I’m glad that it suits you well! I switched over to IT’s Confidence In A Compact, their gel serum foundation that’s much better for my super dry skin. Isn’t it funny how we can change our minds about certain products! (PS I haven’t gone to the post office yet. Hopefully, I’ll get there tomorrow. Will let you know.)
Love the idea of this post since it’s what cosmetic life is all about. I find I change my mind too, usually after an initial love affair. I was so hesitant to buy Shape Tape and don’t think it deserved the hype but I do like it (other than the huge wand). I think now I’ll start shaking my micellar water just in case.
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LOL, let me know about the micellar water. The MyChelle MW definitely says to shake it, but BioDerma doesn’t say anything about that, and it looks completely clear.
I have the FrXXXtion Stic too and I think I will give it another try because I totally forgot about it!
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It’s definitely worth a second try. It really has grown on me.
This is a great idea for a post. I often change my mind.
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Thank you for sharing these updates! I think it’s totally normal to change your mind about products, or everything in life really.
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I really like this post Allison! I change my mind sometimes too after using a product for a long period. I think I need to break down and finally get some Shape Tape!
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Thank you, Kristina! It just came to me that I change my mind about products all the time.
I love this post idea! I’ve found myself feeling differently about products after I’ve reviewed/talked about them and this is such a great way to address everything.
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Glad you think it’s a good idea. I think after we use a product for months or longer, it’s easy to change your mind!
It took me a long time to try the tarte shape tape. The darker skin color range is lacking, but I do like it.
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I like the Pur stick better. I like the consistency of it.
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I liked PUR’s stick better at first, and now I like them both equally for different reasons