the forum | overhyped products

I'm sure that most of you have tried a product before that you found fell short of the buzz surrounding it. No matter how much research you may put into a purchase, sometimes products just don't work for you.

As nice as it is to discuss favorites, it's equally important to talk about products that just don't work for whatever reason, especially when those products get a lot of attention. Products usually get hyped because they work for people, but clever marketing plays an important role here, too.

So, today, we're discussing overhyped products—those lipsticks that everyone loves but that make your lips peel, or that cult-favorite highlighter that's actually just a chunky, glittery mess. I'll go ahead a leave a few of my greatest disappointments in the hype train below:

1. Chanel Vitalumière Aqua. Several beauty bloggers I adore absolutely love this foundation. Lisa Eldridge recommends it for dry skin that wants a good glow. However, the third inactive ingredient is alcohol, which is awful for dehydrated skin. The first full day that I sampled this foundation, my face felt like it was being shrink-wrapped. It had a lovely, light texture, but at what cost?
2. Laura Mercier Oil-Free tinted moisturizer. I used to adore this tinted moisturizer. My current Facebook profile features me in this very base. I really can't describe it, but it suddenly didn't work for me anymore after just a few months. Fortunately, this spurred me to try the NARS tinted moisturizer again, and, well, considering its many appearances in this space, I think you can guess how I feel about it.
3. Benefit Posietint. This just didn't do much for me. Posietint was probably my first stain product, and it turns out that I'm not a fan of traditional stains. I prefer balm or cream stains. Everyone has to start somewhere, though.
4. Benefit They're Real! mascara. I have a few close friends who adore this mascara, and I like how it looks on my lashes, but the brush is too painful for me to find it worth applying. It's like a tiny medieval torture device for your eyelashes. I typically use Maybelline mascaras nowadays anyway.
5. Shiro Cosmetics eyeshadows. Despite my love for Mother of Dragons, I must admit that Shiro's pigmentation and longevity leave something to be desired. Mother of Dragons, for example, looks lovely, but it requires both primer and glitter glue for the pressed version—which I purchased in hopes that these issues were confined to the loose formulation—to stay put. For an indie brand with such a loyal following, especially when pitted against brands like Hello Waffle, there really is no excuse for such poor quality.

What are some hyped products that have let you down?

the forum | changing seasons + halloween

Welcome back to another monthly forum! I realize that I skipped last month, so this time, I'm asking you about two topics.

First of all, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are experiencing the fading of summer, while our friends in the Southern Hemisphere are gearing up for warmer temperatures. How are you planning to celebrate the changing seasons? I, for one, am brewing more tea than ever and relishing every chance to break out the slouchy sweaters and ankle boots!

Second, how are you planning to celebrate Halloween this year? Have you picked out a costume? I have both a Dead Authors Party and Halloween night in mind. For the former, I'm going as Joan Green as my beloved John Green frequently advocates the death of the author—it's a stretch, mind you, but I'm ecstatic for it! For Halloween itself, I'm going as Lorde, the queen of cool. Never will my eyeliner skills be so tested as October 31.

Let's get talking in the comments below!

the forum | youtube

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the forum!

This time, we're talking about YouTube.

As you may have seen, I posted my first beauty video on YouTube this past Sunday. This made me wonder if you watch beauty videos on YouTube and, if so, whom you watch.

For my part, I'm a huge fan of Anna from ViviannaDoesMakeup, Lily Pebbles, Alix from icovetthee, Karima McKimmie, and the illustrious Lisa Eldridge. YouTube has been a huge part of my love for makeup: it keeps me informed about upcoming releases and shows me new techniques for what I already have. Online video on the whole fascinates me: it's an up-and-coming industry with the truly unique advantage of allowing anyone to create content.

Which beauty channels do you follow?

What lifestyle-related content would you like to see from me on YouTube?

the weekend forum | sunday evening pampering

Hello, everyone!

I just got back from a weekend with family and friends and am about to wash my face and apply a face mask or two.

What do you like to do to wind down the weekend?

the forum | indies

I'm considering starting a monthly forum. To kick things off, let's talk indies!

Have you ever ordered from an indie cosmetics company?

How was your experience?

What are your favorite little-known brands?

Have you found a holy grail from an indie brand?

Let me know your answers to these questions and any more you have in comments!