Today I have a trio of products to review for you. Each of these surprised me in some way, some for the good: they outperformed my expectations and some, just could not live up to the bar I set for them.
I don't know about you but before trying out each beauty product my mind kind of places them in a little quadrant where x is the price or some sort of premium that I place on the brand name and/or ingredients list, and y is my likelihood to enjoy these products. Sorry for the nerdy little digression. But in any case, in the back of my head I pretty much already know what I expect out of most products I bring into my stash, which is why each of these products I'm going to review for you today were surprising to me.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
SHISEIDO SENKA disappointing MINERAL WATER UV SPF 50 PA+++
INGREDIENTS Cyclomethicone, water, isododecane, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, alcohol, vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, octocrylene, polysilicone-15, zinc oxide, PPG-17, PEG-9 dolydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, sorbitan sesquiisostearate, sucrose tetrastearate triacetate, polymethylsilsesquioxane, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, aminomethyl propanediol, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, talc, dimethicone, glycerin, isostearic acid, triethyloxycapriylylsilane, trisodium EDTA, orange, BHT [CosDNA]
ABOUT
A milky gel sunscreen that has spf 50+ pa+++ sun protection
THE GOOD
Price is $7.02 on Amazon for 40 ml of product with free shipping.*
The packaging is a really sturdy and ultra portable plastic squeeze tube container, with twist-off cap and tiny nozzle. It's great to throw in a purse and go.
The product is licorice scented, which although I'm not a fan of licorice in general, as long as I'm not forced to eat it, the scent to me is a plus. It's got that candy-of-the-earth type aroma.
No white cast.
Doesn't feel too heavy on the skin.
Offers full spectrum protection against UVA1, UVA2, and UVB rays
Is a physical/chemical mix sunscreen.
Is not too drying despite the alcohol and zinc oxide. My skin does not flake with this sunscreen.
THE BAD
It never really dries down which is a disservice to those who don't wear makeup as it gives the face a wet look. Even dry-skinned me does not approve. While those who wear makeup over the top may not object to the finish so much, I have to admit I do believe that it could get swept off the face as one pats and blends foundation into the skin.
Is not the highest UVA protection (PA++++) but one notch below (PA+++)
Only 40 ml of product, which can also be a plus if you like to keep one on you to reapply during the day, you upstanding sunscreen-wearing citizen you. I salute you.
THE VERDICT
This sunscreen is kind of more of an aesthetic failure to me. While this sunscreen may perform well for those with normal to dry skin in winter, for me, it's way too shiny for the summer. This sunscreen may send oily skinned people running away and might also not provide optimal protection as it's hard to get it to really absorb and dry down on the skin.
FOREVER 21 MEGA LIP PLUMPER for real
ABOUT
A glittery, clear lip gloss with lip-plumping claims in Nude/Crystal
THE GOOD
It's 3.90 for 1.32 oz of product which is an amazing deal.
It's not too sticky and feels like it really hugs and clings onto the lips.
The glitter is almost undetectable.
It makes the lips look plumper, but I suspect glossy finishes give everyone the Kylie look somewhat.
It smells strongly like mint/menthol, and also gives the lips a fun tingly feeling.
THE BAD
The lasting power - it fades (evenly, at least) after just 1-2 hours of wear. I always keep it on me to reapply.
The glitter can feel gritty on the lips.
THE VERDICT
I didn't expect much from this product, since this is the first time I used any Forever 21 beauty products, but for the price/value, this is something I would not mind repurchasing. I love a glossy lip with some bronzer in the summer and I love how I can use this to layer over anything else in my lip collection to make my lips look plumper.
FOREVER 21 LIPSTICK CRAYON for alternative uses
ABOUT
A matte lip crayon in Nude
THE GOOD
It's 3.90 for .03 oz of product, which doesn't sound like much, but when the product is swiveled up all the way, it's apparent they're not skimping too much.
It smells sweet, almost cake-like.
Wear time is average, around 3-4 hours.
THE BAD
The color is a flesh-colored nude and probably only looks good on its own against the fairest of skin tones. (Not an issue as I tend to use this underneath bright lip colors to neutralize them).
It gives patchy coverage on the lips and can get into fine lines. (Not an issue as I tend to use this underneath bright lip colors to neutralize them).
THE VERDICT
For my purposes, this product is a win. It works underneath lipsticks well if you're trying to tone down bright colors. And I suspect it might be a win for those with extremely fair skin as being the ideal pink-beige-nude for their skin tone.
See the product swatches below!
I don't know about you but before trying out each beauty product my mind kind of places them in a little quadrant where x is the price or some sort of premium that I place on the brand name and/or ingredients list, and y is my likelihood to enjoy these products. Sorry for the nerdy little digression. But in any case, in the back of my head I pretty much already know what I expect out of most products I bring into my stash, which is why each of these products I'm going to review for you today were surprising to me.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
SHISEIDO SENKA disappointing MINERAL WATER UV SPF 50 PA+++
INGREDIENTS Cyclomethicone, water, isododecane, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, alcohol, vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer, octocrylene, polysilicone-15, zinc oxide, PPG-17, PEG-9 dolydimethylsiloxyethyl dimethicone, sorbitan sesquiisostearate, sucrose tetrastearate triacetate, polymethylsilsesquioxane, phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, aminomethyl propanediol, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, talc, dimethicone, glycerin, isostearic acid, triethyloxycapriylylsilane, trisodium EDTA, orange, BHT [CosDNA]
ABOUT
A milky gel sunscreen that has spf 50+ pa+++ sun protection
THE GOOD
Price is $7.02 on Amazon for 40 ml of product with free shipping.*
The packaging is a really sturdy and ultra portable plastic squeeze tube container, with twist-off cap and tiny nozzle. It's great to throw in a purse and go.
The product is licorice scented, which although I'm not a fan of licorice in general, as long as I'm not forced to eat it, the scent to me is a plus. It's got that candy-of-the-earth type aroma.
No white cast.
Doesn't feel too heavy on the skin.
Offers full spectrum protection against UVA1, UVA2, and UVB rays
Is a physical/chemical mix sunscreen.
Is not too drying despite the alcohol and zinc oxide. My skin does not flake with this sunscreen.
THE BAD
It never really dries down which is a disservice to those who don't wear makeup as it gives the face a wet look. Even dry-skinned me does not approve. While those who wear makeup over the top may not object to the finish so much, I have to admit I do believe that it could get swept off the face as one pats and blends foundation into the skin.
Is not the highest UVA protection (PA++++) but one notch below (PA+++)
Only 40 ml of product, which can also be a plus if you like to keep one on you to reapply during the day, you upstanding sunscreen-wearing citizen you. I salute you.
THE VERDICT
This sunscreen is kind of more of an aesthetic failure to me. While this sunscreen may perform well for those with normal to dry skin in winter, for me, it's way too shiny for the summer. This sunscreen may send oily skinned people running away and might also not provide optimal protection as it's hard to get it to really absorb and dry down on the skin.
FOREVER 21 MEGA LIP PLUMPER for real
ABOUT
A glittery, clear lip gloss with lip-plumping claims in Nude/Crystal
THE GOOD
It's 3.90 for 1.32 oz of product which is an amazing deal.
It's not too sticky and feels like it really hugs and clings onto the lips.
The glitter is almost undetectable.
It makes the lips look plumper, but I suspect glossy finishes give everyone the Kylie look somewhat.
It smells strongly like mint/menthol, and also gives the lips a fun tingly feeling.
THE BAD
The lasting power - it fades (evenly, at least) after just 1-2 hours of wear. I always keep it on me to reapply.
The glitter can feel gritty on the lips.
THE VERDICT
I didn't expect much from this product, since this is the first time I used any Forever 21 beauty products, but for the price/value, this is something I would not mind repurchasing. I love a glossy lip with some bronzer in the summer and I love how I can use this to layer over anything else in my lip collection to make my lips look plumper.
FOREVER 21 LIPSTICK CRAYON for alternative uses
ABOUT
A matte lip crayon in Nude
THE GOOD
It's 3.90 for .03 oz of product, which doesn't sound like much, but when the product is swiveled up all the way, it's apparent they're not skimping too much.
It smells sweet, almost cake-like.
Wear time is average, around 3-4 hours.
THE BAD
The color is a flesh-colored nude and probably only looks good on its own against the fairest of skin tones. (Not an issue as I tend to use this underneath bright lip colors to neutralize them).
It gives patchy coverage on the lips and can get into fine lines. (Not an issue as I tend to use this underneath bright lip colors to neutralize them).
THE VERDICT
For my purposes, this product is a win. It works underneath lipsticks well if you're trying to tone down bright colors. And I suspect it might be a win for those with extremely fair skin as being the ideal pink-beige-nude for their skin tone.
See the product swatches below!
Have you had any surprising finds or disappointing ones recently?
Please do share!
Thanks for reading.
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. Purchasing through an affiliate link is one way you can choose to support this blog at no additional cost to you. Affiliate links are marked with an asterisk. If you're curious about my policy on press samples, affiliate links, and sponsors, please see my disclaimer and policies.
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