INSTAGRAM OVERHYPED THESE BEAUTY PRODUCTS...

 

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Today we're getting spicy and talking about products I think are way overhyped on social media! Most of these aren't bad products, I just expected way more from them based on how much they've been pushed on Instagram. We'll dive into the products, my experience with them and why I think they've received hype that might not be quite justified...

The first product we're talking about today is the Fenty Hydra Visor Moisturiser SPF 30* | £35 | original review. This made a real splash back when Fenty first launched as an inclusive sunscreen, but I couldn't help thinking; a) a chemical sunscreen should be virtually traceless on the skin and, b) it's only SPF 30! I did like the dewy finish of this hybrid sunscreen-moisturiser, but honestly; I do think most European and Korean sunscreens manage an equally or more elegant formulation whilst providing SPF 50 protection. This is a nice sunscreen, it's very hydrating and it is traceless on the skin, which is perhaps less easy to find within the US market but I just don't find it to be anything special, let alone a personal holy grail like it was for so many people within the first couple of years after it launched. If it was a mineral sunscreen which could work for any skin tone then I'd be much more impressed. Even if it was an SPF 50, I think that would be more impressive, because the truth is; an SPF 30 chemical sunscreen should have all of these cosmetically-elegant qualities. I think is product is less popular these days, perhaps since the increasing popularity of Korean sunscreens and how accessible they are these days. Personally, I don't even have to order online any more to get access to SPF 50 sunscreen that's 40-60% the price of this product from Fenty; they're in my local Boots level. So, I do think this is a good product but it's been blown up by the internet in a way that feels a little unwarranted...

Next, let's talk about the Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer in Always Sunny | £27 | original review. I think I may get a little more flack for this one, but honestly; I think this is more about personal preference than anything objectively 'wrong' with the product. Firstly, I found the texture a little too dry and matte for me; I have dry skin and I love a dewier, more balm-like bronzer (such as those from Refy and Merit that I've reviewed on this blog). Obviously I don't want my bronzer to be shiny and wear off, so it is a balance, but this formula isn't on the right side of this spectrum for me. I also found the undertone to not actually be that warm; the colour looked a little flat on my skin tone and pulled more like a cool contour than a sun-kissed bronzer. The product does glide on nicely and it has a good level of pigmentation and longevity, but I just don't enjoy the tone or finish, unfortunately! There are lots of other products by Rare Beauty that I have enjoyed, though, such as the liquid highlighter so I do still recommend checking out the brand in general.

A beloved product that I just don't 'get' is the Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil | £35 (50ml). Maybe it's people wanting this cute packaging design on their dressing table, maybe it's the nice honey floral fragrance or maybe it's just the difference between people with quite fine, straight hair vs. people with thicker, curlier hair; I'm really not sure! But this hair oil is expensive and it doesn't really do a lot for me. I sometimes use hair oils as overnight treatments, but with a product like this that isn't marketed for that use, I really tend to just use them as a finishing product. When I've done my hair, if the ends are looking a little dry, or I've just washed it and its natural oil levels are lower; I just take a little oil and run it through the ends (and sometimes the lengths too) in order to smooth any flyaways and provide added nourishment. This product is formulated with honey, argan oil and coconut oil, with the honey as a big selling point. Honestly, I've tried products a fraction of the price that have been more effective than this. I know they emphasise the honey in this product and that oils are going to vary in quality by price, but argan and coconut oil are very basic ingredients found in drugstore hair oils. For me, the ingredients aren't standout and my experience with this product is that it's a middle-of-the-road hair oil that's ok but doesn't do a lot, so I don't recommend spending over the odds on it.

Finally, we have the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Drops* | £32. I like this product but I don't love it, and in a world where beauty products are getting more expensive and people's budgets are being stretched; I just don't find this to be a worthwhile investment. Let me explain... basically, this is a kind of dewy priming product with an added active benefit, which does look really pretty and luminous on the skin. However, I just don't think it's going to be necessary or make that much of a difference if you have your skincare routine down, and if you don't have it down; focusing on that is a much better use of your resources. This is a clear gel product that gives the skin a fresh look, though I really think you could achieve this look with a nice, hydrating gel moisturiser and a little bit of highlighter (both products you already own). It's also formulated with niacinamide; a great all-rounder active that can help boost ceramide production (improving skin barrier function), prevent discolouration in the skin and regulate oil production. The thing is, niacinamide is so ubiquitous that it's probably already in your toner, moisturiser or serum. And even if it's not, you can find a niacinamide serum for under £10, so it's still not a reason to pick up this product. It's a 'nice to have' not a 'must have' for me...

Have you tried any of these products? Did they live up to the hype for you?

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Read more posts from this series here!