Beauty Tips

The 6 Most Overly-Hyped Products

See which buzzed-about beauty products our readers say aren't worthy of the praise they garner

by Audrey Fine

10 of 13

The Truth According to TotalBeauty.com Reviewers: The glowing assessments from TV stop short with our real women. "It cleared up some zits, but it dried out my face so badly that it looked like I had burns!" says one reader. A mom chimed in to say "I bought it for my daughters and we ended up going to the dermatologist to get help with the reaction they had to it!" And another review says "I used it as directed, and it just kept breaking me out more, turning my skin red, dry, itchy, and raw. I kept using it while trying to tell myself 'It's just bringing the toxins out of my skin, it will clear up.' But, no." Still, others say that it was effective in the beginning. "At first using this product made my skin slightly dry, but it really reduced my acne. However the more I used it, the less it worked and when I stopped using this cleanser, the acne immediately came back," says one reviewer.

The Bottom Line: Whether or not the product works seems to depend on skin type. Maybe you'll get red, itchy skin, maybe you won't. Either way, you'll still have to contend with another aspect that some reviewers found troubling: having to order it and wait for it to arrive.

Next: Will "Photo Finish," the critical darling from Smashbox, get the green light from our reviewers?

SEE NEXT PAGE: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, $36

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products mentioned

Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Original Formula

7.3

Philosophy Hope in a Jar

7.4

CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara

7.6

BUY NOW

BareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15

7.4

Maybelline New York Great Lash Washable Mascara

6.5

BUY NOW

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

8.2

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Older comments

I have tried all off these products. While I would agree on 6 of them, I simply can not agree with Bare Minerals. I started using it almost 8 years ago. With the price, I have tried 3 other very popular foundations (both liquid and powder) but always find my way back to BM. I think the biggest thing for people to remember is that everyone's skin is so different. Just because it works for me, does not mean that it will work for you. I HAVE to use the BM Oil Control Primer with it while my sister needs no primer and my mom needs the original primer. We all use BM but in different ways because we have different needs. The most important thing I have learned is to always purchase a new product from an actual BM boutique, not Ulta or Sephora. They will let you exchange or return any product that isn't working without any problems. They will try to help you find something else that will work for you but they won't push. Not everything works for everyone and that actually understand this concept. Also, they now have 3 different forms of foundation: Original ("luminous"), Matte, and now READY (pressed). Also, the different brushes really do give you different coverage so find the one that is right for YOU.

by bride040612 Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 04:40PM Report as inappropriate

Maybelline was one that I ran out and got, and was SOOOOOO let down, I would rather wear no mascara at all.

by MissPurple Friday, January 25, 2013 at 12:43PM Report as inappropriate

A good mix of products. I too always wondered why Maybelline Great Lash mascara had such a great reputation. When I tried it myself, it was not to my liking at all.

by inthemiddles Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 07:21PM Report as inappropriate

I agree with the products here, but I believe you have forgotten one product that 'everybody' loves, yet I despise. The culprit here is OPI nail polish. Yes they have nice colours,witty names, a nice brush, blah, blah, blah, but I had chips on my nail within 24 hours! When used with top coat, chips within 48 hours!I don't cheap out on nail polish either, considering my favourite brand is China Glaze, which is only $3 cheaper. For me, OPI is only good for a small amounts of colour needed for an intricate nail design. God forbid if my opinion may be different than anyone else's.

by nailaddict19 Friday, April 6, 2012 at 11:24AM Report as inappropriate

This is so true! I have been fooled on almost all of these products lol! Proactiv and bare minerals continue to be the biggest rip-offs on the market and I will stop at nothing to get the word out about those two products because they are HORRIBLE!

by Alisunshine Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 11:04AM Report as inappropriate

What's really funny is this article bashes LashBlast, but I'm reading another Total Beauty article at the same time that swears it's a steal for DiorShow. Make up your mind (I love LashBlast).

by VV001 Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 01:42PM Report as inappropriate

I like the hope in the jar. However I like the one that's for sensitive skin. that one rocks plus it doesn't have the awful smell

by Nayeli11 Friday, February 17, 2012 at 11:54AM Report as inappropriate

Smashbox primer is WAY too expensive. I get the same effect by using, of all things, Monistat anti-chafing gel as a makeup primer! Both mascaras mentioned are lame, bare minerals makeup is awful, and the combo of chemicals will burn the top layers of your skin right off! I do like Philosophy Hope in a Jar though. I only use it as a night cream in the winter.

by queeniemeanie Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 04:38AM Report as inappropriate

There were a few of these I almost tried, now I'm super glad I didn't!

by sportimonki13 Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 03:21PM Report as inappropriate

The Great Lash is not that bad! I like it. I also bought the LashBlast but I haven't tried it yet.

by MissXu Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 05:39PM Report as inappropriate