I know this seems like I’m a little on the negative trend these days, but I wanted to get the beauty products that I really didn’t like or that disappointed me this year out of the way before I start doing my best ones. I like to think that I’m a smart shopper so I don’t have many products that were really fails or that have disappointed me, but this year I also got to try more brands and products because of the beauty boxes that I got. Which is not a bad thing, because I don’t feel so sorry about spending money on the respective products. Also, please remember that what didn’t work for me may be a good product for you, so don’t completely write off these products because you may like them.

Ecooking Moisturizing Serum

2020 was the year when I really started using face serums, because I received quite a few in subscription boxes. I had used serums in the past, but now I feel like I know what I want from a face serum. The Ecooking one was disappointing because it promise a lot for the price because it doesn’t have the pricing of a drugstore brand. I didn’t see any effects while using the serums and also it did feel a little bit tacky on the skin. I wasn’t impressed at all.

essence Stay All Day 16h Long-lasting Foundation

The shade range was really horrible in my opinion and although I had a shade that was supposed to be light or medium at best, my face would turn orange from this foundation and I had to declutter it. Also, it didn’t have a nice finish because I felt like I was too shiny (not glowy, keep in mind), so I wouldn’t recommend it.

Bellapierre Peach Blossom Eyeshadow Palette

I was so excited to get this because it was the only eyeshadow palette we got from Lookfantastic, but the quality was very poor compared to the prices of Bellapierre palettes. I had cheaper palettes that were much better in terms of the shades in the palette and of the performance. This is one of the palettes that is on the list of the first to go when I decide that I need to make some room in my makeup collection.

Balea Shampoo with Green Apple

This was probably the worst shampoo I tried this year. I have oily hair but this shampoo somehow made it look dry like I would have dried straws instead of hair. Also, my scalp was also very dry and I had dandruff from it.

Minetan Coffee Scrub

It was just some grounded coffee mixed with a little bit of oil. That’s something you can DIY very easy. Plus, it’s very messy in the shower.

L’Oreal Paris Bonjour Nudista Skin Tint BB Cream

This was a mix between a tinted moisturizer and a liquid highlighter or something. I think not even L’Oreal knew what they wanted to achieve with this. It crumbled on the skin and it looked bad used all over the face or as a highlighter. It was one of the crappiest makeup product I tried this year.

Lotus Natural Plant Deo Stick

This was hand down the worst deodorant I ever used. I don’t think this something that might work for someone. No, it’s a shitshow if you try to use it, especially in the summer. Not only it doesn’t do anything to reduce the sweating, but it make the under arm area stink!

Philip Kingsley Pure Colour Frizz Fighting Gloss

I got this in November’s Lookfantastic box and I didn’t get to do a review on it, but I’ll tell you now what the deal is with this. It makes my hair very very oily. I tried applying it on damp hair, on almost dry her, in smaller and smaller amount, I rubbed it in my palms and then just went my hands through my hair, nothing. It makes it look greasy from day one. I had higher expectations from this brand because it seems to be something a little bit more fancy but it’s a “nah dawg” from me.

These were all my fails and disappointments. I had some other products that were kind of like “meh”, but it wasn’t as bad as to make it to this list. Now let’s get to drawer number 6 in the advent calendar.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep-conditioning treatment Mayan Vanilla and orange Blossom (40 ml)

I can’t say I’m excited about this product considering my previous experience with the Philip Kingsley product I mentioned before, but I will give it a try. This is a hair treatment that should be applied before shampooing, so hopefully my hair won’t become greasy from it. It’s supposed to give elasticity, moisture and strength to all hair types with a limited edition fragrance of vanilla and orange blossom, which are scents that I like. I didn’t know that the Elasticizer treatment was first created in 1974 for Audrey Hepburn, so that’s kind of cool. The full size product contains 150 ml and retails on the Lookfantastic website for 203.40 lei, so this mini size is worth 54.24 lei.

And finally, let’s enjoy our daily cup of tea.

Keep Calm Cupper Tea

After a couple of fruit infusions, it was time for a herbal infusion. Keep Calm is so far the most “boring” of all I tried so far. I mean, no offence, but that’s how it is. At least that’s how I know which teas I’ll like and which I don’t from this brand. Keep Calm contains chamomile, honeybush, mint and lemon balm.

So, this concludes the first week of advent. I t was generally speaking a good one, so I’m hoping that the rest of December is at least as good and full of nice surprises.