My 2013 Beauty Regrets

I've had a long list of 2013 Favorites and a few Surprises. While on a treasure hunt, you might strike gold... or could stand the danger of stepping on a landmine. Without further ado, let me introduce you the disappointments of 2013 - Products that were underwhelming or plain ol' BAD.

All the mentioned products, I've not tossed them away, but have either used till they're empty or found an alternative use for them. Here you go, ladies:

Merle Normal Delicate Balance Cleanser & Toner for Sensitive Skin: I have had a love-hate relationship with this duo. While I received and used a sample of these products, it showed good results and I paid the hefty price tag to have the full-size items. My beef with these - since the toner is meant for SENSITIVE skin, why should it sting when applied. Nothing alarming though. A tingle here and there - which shouldn't be the case. Cleanser wasn't that bad. It did purge the skin of residue, but now that I've tried other products that do a better job at a cheaper price - I'm not too keen. Have finished these, and would never repurchase.

The Body Shop Chocomania Body Butter: While the smell of chocolate is heavenly, too much or too strong a scent makes me nauseous. It does a good job of hydrating my body, but on the flip side, it makes me smell like a Walking DEATH BY CHOCOLATE. Twice it had happened that I applied the Chocomania Body Butter and went to see my friends - who asked if I had been baking muffins or brought some truffles because I have this lingering chocolate fragrance around me :-/ Hang on, that's not the worst part - THIS BODY BUTTER IS EXTREMELY BITTER IN TASTE! It could be my particular piece, I don't know. But it IS bitter. In my defense, I didn't actually give in to the tempting scent. I didn't try to lick/eat it. No. Every time I'd apply it, and do anything at all that's bound to bring my hands in contact with the face - later on, my lips would taste bitter. I've tried washing my hands after I use it, but that's just too much to ask for a product that I don't even love in the first place. So, I've given it to my Mum and Aunt for using on their feet in Winters after which they're requested to wear socks :-D I've had none of these issues with Moringa and Shea Body Butters.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser: It's a strong smelling tea tree product with consistency similar to Porefessional. However, this does not have silicone/slippery feel to it. I've realized that it's more of a skin care product than a makeup one. Almost everything I put on followed by another layer - be it primer, foundation, BB cream or even a moisturizer - this balls up like little rubber waste while you're trying to blend. I waited for it to dry and tried million things, so eventually, I only use it in Summers when I am not putting ANYTHING else on the face. Even then, it's not moisturizing at all and keeps shine away for 2 hours max. Not repurchasing after finishing this.

Garnier Light Eye Roll-On: It sucks. Expecting it to work or improve anyting is like planting your coins in the soil and waiting for money to grow. It was an impulse-purchase-gone-wrong. There's nothing to explain in this - it was THAT disappointing. Next.

Benefit Some-Kinda-Gorgeous Foundation Faker: It's a compact with cream-liker formula which turns into powdery finish when applied to the face. The shade medium came in Primping With The Stars kit, and it has been - by far - the WORST Benefit product I've tried till date. It applies patchy without primer & moisturizer underneath and when worn with the two helpers, it still creases and doesn't last beyond 2 hours. Not-to-mention, you'd end up looking like a ghost in cell phone flash photography.

Essence Gel-Look Top Coat: I'm not a nail polish person, but can tell that this particular Essence top coat is not what I'd like to put on or recommend to someone. With few tries, I didn't have much luck. It applies smooth, but just doesn't dry soon enough. I've put it on in the thinnest layer as well, thinking too much product might be the problem, but even an hour of applying nail polish  + top coat, it'll be sticky-denty-chippy. I've given up.

Garnier BB Cream (Oil Free - Fair): I've been on a hunt to get this baby even before they'd launched it in Pakistan. It would always be out of stock at justforgirls.pk and I'd skip it. I stumbled upon the launch of Garnier BB Cream in Hyperstar, Karachi and bagged this. It applied patchy on my skin, somewhat ashy. I used it over my Mum's face who is NC15 - thinking it would be a color-match for her. Still, after 2 hours, it looked like someone has taken a big underwater jump and their makeup is coming off. I don't know why it worked like this, because all I've heard about this cream is the gushing praise. 

Maybelline Colossal Kajal: This has to be the biggest disappointment of 2013. So, I got the Kajal before its official launch, used it - The staying power was okay, but it was so dry and tugged on my eyelids while I tried to apply. The kajal broke off its base and fell out. Plus, nobody wants their blackest black to be GREY. Then my friend, Fatima, got it from its launch in Dolmen and I thought may be my piece was old/defected/fake. I tried hers for a couple of weeks - the same issues, except for breaking. Dry. Unhelpful. Non-black black.

So, I've purged myself of the 2013 Beauty Regrets :-P And I welcome 2014 with open arms <3

To have a peek at my 2013 Favorites and 2013 Surprises in beauty, follow the links. If you've done the Favorites/Disappointments posts, I'd love to read them. Feel free to drop your links in the comments :-)

Cheers,

Bia