The Newbie Awards | Worst of Beauty 2018 January 10, 2019
Even though I found many new beauty loves in 2018, I came across a few fails, too. From allergic reactions and breakouts to ineffective formulas, these were the worst products I tried in 2018. Please keep reading to learn about my thoughts on the worst of beauty 2018.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links (*). If you purchase by clicking on my links, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you.
The Newbie Awards: Worst of Beauty 2018
IT Cosmetics Secret Sauce Clinically Advanced Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer | $38.00 (CF)
IT Cosmetics is one of the most hyped up skincare brands. Unfortunately, the Secret Sauce Clinically Advanced Miraculous Anti-Aging Moisturizer* did not live up to the hype. This moisturizer not hydrate my skin. However, it left my naturally oily skin feeling dehydrated and textured. There are far better hydrating moisturizers sold at the drugstore for a fraction of the price.
IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm | $38.00 (CF)
I didn’t have high hopes for the 3-in-1 Cleansing Balm when another blogger friend mentioned that this product caused breakouts. However, I still wanted to give this a go.
The Cleansing Balm left my skin feeling greasy and congested. Even after double cleansing and doing various deep treatment masks, the Cleansing Balm caused horrible breakouts that took a long time to fade. If you have oily or sensitive skin, stay far away. Read my full thoughts in my It Cosmetics Skincare Review.
The luxe-looking packaging is deceiving, right?
Make Up For Ever Full Coverage Extreme Camouflage Cream |$ 34.00
Make Up For Ever’s Full Coverage Extreme Camouflage Cream was a big let down this year due to the product’s lack of staying power. The Extreme Camouflage Cream provides complete, full coverage for acne and dark spots, but has no staying power. Within 4-5 hours this concealer creased and made my eyes look crepey and aged.
If you want a full coverage concealer just to spot conceal or for blog/social media photographs then you may like the Extreme Camouflage Cream. However, if you’re looking for a long-wearing, flattering concealer then you should avoid at all costs.
Milk Makeup Cooling Water Under-Eye De-Puffer Stick | $15.00 (CF)
Spoiler alert: The Milk Makeup Cooling Water Under-Eye De-Puffer Stick* is the worst skin care product I tried all year. While this de-puffer left my eyes feeling cool immediately upon application, it caused a painful burning sensation.
To be fair, I always test skin care products for at least 3 weeks before jumping to any conclusions because skin care takes some time to transform the skin. However, I had to stop using the De-Puffer after two weeks because this caused a painful, burning sensation around my eyes. My under eye area burned badly for over a week. I couldn’t wear makeup near my under eye for days because the skin by my eye was red, raw, and sensitive.
Hopefully, I’ll fare better with the other Milk Makeup goodies I’m trying out. A full “Bad or Rad” brand review is on the way this year.
SkinThesis by Dermstore Refining Retinol & Night Treatment
I received several products from Dermstore in the Beauty Con L.A. Hauler Bag. However, after doing extensive research on the internet, I could not find anything for the brand SkinThesis. Nevertheless, I wanted to try what I had received because I am a skincare junkie.
Despite the beautiful, sleek white packaging, the Refining Retinol and Night Treatment caused a massive breakout. After trying these two products out for 3-4 weeks, my skin was a wreck.
RELATED: Thoughts on Hauls & the Beauty Con L.A. 2018 Bag
LUSH Big Solid Conditioner | $12.95 (CF)
The Big Solid Conditioner from LUSH was my biggest hair care let down this year. I LOVE so many of LUSH’s shampoos but have yet to like any of the brand’s conditioners. Although the bar conditioner is convenient for travel, this product did nothing for my hair. In fact, after use, my hair felt like tangled, dry straw. Also, the product left a strange film.
Bonus Baddie
Natasha Denona Mini Lila Palette | $25.00, CF
Man, oh man. The Natasha Denona Mini Lila Palette was my biggest let down of the year. After being lured in by the *affordable* price tag (cough, cough only affordable compared to ND’s regular palettes) and the gorgeous purple hues, I bought this mini palette.
Not only were these shadows difficult to blend and build on the eye, whether used wet or dry, but these were patchy and had zero staying power. Within a matter of 4-5 hours, the colors faded, slipped around my eye area and heavily creased – again, no matter how I set the shadows down. Moreover, the packaging is deceptive because ND claims that the shadows are talc-free, which is untrue.
I’ve heard from many that the “mini” eyeshadow formula is different from the formula used in the larger palettes, but this experience was a turn-off. Will I try something from the brand again? Honestly, I probably would – but I would never recommend the minis to anyone.
Worst of Beauty 2018 Disclaimer
Just because these products didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean that they won’t work for you. Beauty product preferences are deeply personal due to everyone’s unique tastes and skin type. If you like and use any of the aforementioned products, this is in no way an attack on your tastes.
Finally, just because I dislike certain products, it doesn’t mean I dislike the brand mentioned. Some of the above brands make holy grail staples in my beauty collection.
Let’s connect on social: Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Bloglovin’
Did you enjoy reading my roundup of the Worst of Beauty 2018? Check out my Best of Beauty 2018 roundup.
Do you agree with my roundup of the worst of beauty 2018? What were the biggest product fails you tried this year? Or, have you been able to make any of these products work for you? I’d love to know in the comments below.
bblogger beauty beauty blogger cosmetics it cosmetics makeup milk makeup product fails product reviews review worst of 2018
Milly Williams says
January 10, 2019 at 8:09 amThis was actually so helpful! To read a post that doesnt just rave about different beauty products!! Very very useful !!!
The Newbury Girl says
January 10, 2019 at 8:14 amThank you so much for your comment! 💜 This is great feedback – I always share my honest thoughts when I review products!
Beauty with Alice says
January 10, 2019 at 10:00 amI haven’t tried any of these products but this year I wanted to try IT cosmetics.. from your reviews I may have to rethink what’s on my wish list. Great post!xo
The Newbury Girl says
January 10, 2019 at 10:32 amIf you’re looking to try IT Cosmetics, the Bye Bye Under Eye Eye Cream is definitely the standout product from that line. It definitely helps to brighten the appearance of the under eye for a healthier look!
Beauty with Alice says
January 10, 2019 at 10:46 amOooooh amazing, thank you so much!
Alex | california pollution says
January 10, 2019 at 12:57 pmLoved reading this! What a shame about the Natasha Denona palette. I have a hard time justifying “splurge” purchases sometimes, so it’s good to see what works and doesn’t work in general.
xx
The Newbury Girl says
January 10, 2019 at 6:22 pmThank you, Alex! 💜 I need to work on reigning in my spending but hopefully my fails will help others to save some money! 💰
kattieh says
January 10, 2019 at 4:21 pmIt is always such a shame when products don’t live up to your expectations, especially when others people rave about them!! Or when their ads are really good and make you think that you’re missing out on not having this certain product!! I think it’s great that you are being honest in your reviews of these! It’s great to see this ❤️
The Newbury Girl says
January 10, 2019 at 6:23 pmThank you so much!! 💜 I hope this helps others and saves them some money!
jennifertarheelreader says
January 10, 2019 at 8:35 pmLoved reading your thoughts, LP, and still so sorry about the IT balm. I know I tried to warn you, but eek! Breakouts are the worst.
The Beauty Wonk says
January 11, 2019 at 5:34 amThankfully I haven’t tried any of these and it was bad to know about the Natasha Denona palette! At least it was a mini so you wasted lesser bucks than you would have had you bought the full size one.
Love,
http://thebeautywonk.com/
The Newbury Girl says
January 11, 2019 at 8:49 amThank you for your comment! 💜 The ND Mini Lila was definitely my most disappointing buy this year – part of me wishes I hadn’t spent so long testing it because then I could have returned it! But you live and you learn.
Tayler says
January 11, 2019 at 8:01 pmDANGGGG – I am glad you shared this. I just used up a sample of the Milk Makeup Cooling Stick and didn’t like it. I was hoping it was only the sample. It didn’t burn but was kind of sticky for me.
Anyway, great post! I have the big Lila palette and love it so far but I did hear the mini palettes aren’t actually worth it.
The Newbury Girl says
January 12, 2019 at 9:41 amThe Milk Makeup Cooling stick was the worst. I wanted to hold out reviewing this because I’m going to do a “Bad or Rad” style review once I’ve gotten to test everything within the “Meet the Fam” kit but I honestly wanted to warn people about this one…
Thank you for letting me know about the ND Lila Palette – everyone always talks about the formula difference between the large and small palettes… lm going to need to really evaluate all of her palettes one day and then just pick the one I want to splurge on! 🙈
katedaysaweek says
January 12, 2019 at 7:52 amHahaha I’m glad I’m not mentioned in this one LOL
Anyways, I remember your posts about IT Cosmetics and ND’s pseudo affordable palette, so I’m not surprised to see them here. I’m not sure MILK cosmetics is a brand I could find in Europe, but I’m very ambivalent about the whole concept.
About Lush, there’s a liquid conditioner of theirs that I REALLY like (I hate their solid shampoo bars, I’m very anal about hair products) (no pun). It’s the I Love Juicy one. Ask for a sample, you won’t be disappointed (I think)!
Love xx
Kate | https://katedaysaweek.be
The Newbury Girl says
January 12, 2019 at 9:37 amMilk is still kind of a newer, ‘trendier’ brand owned by Kendo Labs (Owned by Sephora – they created KVD, Bite Beauty), so I’m not sure how successful they’ve been in terms of sales. But in terms of products offered I would say they’re the most similar to Glossier.
So I love the LUSH shampoo bars and the liquid shampoos (I Love Juicy is my favorite) because I have an ultra sensitive scalp. I’ll have to try more of their conditioners – but I know I didn’t like the Rehab one either, sadly 😭😭
katedaysaweek says
January 12, 2019 at 11:28 amYup Milk totally sounds and looks like Glossier, which I can’t get my hands on here either (and that frustrates me)
The Newbury Girl says
January 12, 2019 at 12:23 pmhopefully you’ll be able to try Glossier soon though! They just recently expanded to France, which is encouraging!! 🙂
jamnesreen says
January 14, 2019 at 7:35 pmI have no product fails for this year solely because of posts like this. I always, always research a product first before trying them on. I tend to shy away from products that has been into someone’s product fails too because of fear that it might not also work for me. Haha! So sad that the Natasha Denona did not work for you. Oh boy…
The Newbury Girl says
January 14, 2019 at 9:05 pmThank you for your comment! 💜 I’m glad that posts like these are helpful. I always try to be very honest with my reviews so I can help others to avoid making the same bad purchases. Happy Blogging!