Products That Didn't Work For Me - Part II
Written by: Swati on:
Being a beauty enthusiast, I try a fair shade of products. However, I am very particular about what I buy & impulse buys for me have become very rare over the years. But even though I do a lot of research before getting anything, every now and then an odd product doesn't work well for me or doesn't perform to my expectation. That's just how products work - all of us are slightly different and we might have different needs and skin requirements. So here is another list of products that did not work for me.
You can read Part I of the post HERE. Let me know if you like these posts, because I sure like sharing them. Maybe we can make it a bi-yearly thing?
Disclaimer - While these products somehow did not work out for me, they might work/or might have worked for you. This in just my personal view.
1) Juicy Chemistry Blood Orange & Rosehip Lip Balm
Bought this after seeing rave reviews in the Indian skincare community. I thought it would be a cheaper alternative to the Forest Essentials Narangi lip balm. However I did not like the consistency of this balm. I like mine to be on the thicker slightly heavier side. Moreover, it gave me allergy and flared my dermatitis. Full review here. If I over look the allergy, it still was an average lip balm for me & perhaps for people who like thin balms with a lot of oils.
2) Ras Oh-So Luxe Liquid Lip Balm
Here's an example of an impulse buy. I saw ads of it on social media just before it launched and got tempted. If I would have thought about it a bit more, I don't think I would have gone for it. The main reason being the doe foot applicator. I don't think that this applicator system for a product that is supposed to be used everyday is a good idea. It would get sort of grimy & a potential harbour for microorganisms.
I will never get to know if this lip balm is any good or not because it flared up my dermatitis like crazy on first use. Over the years I have learnt that these all natural products aren't the best bet for my condition, because they have a lot of potential allergens and aggrevating factors - one or some of the ingredients didn't suit me.
3) Herbal Essences Rosemary Shampoo
My pick & favourite from their range is the Argan Oil variant - you can read my detailed review HERE. I have been using it for 2 years now and it works well for me. Thought of trying another variant out and got the Rosemary one - wrong decision! This makes my hair dry and increases frizz. It's not terrible but it wasn't good either or at par with the Argan range.
4) Suganda White Lotus Moisturizer
As well loved this product is in the Indian beauty community, this broke me out. As someone who suffers from troubled acne prone skin & who keeps getting breakouts very often anyway, any product that increases breakouts - temporarily or otherwise, is a big no-no. My number one criteria for using any product is that it should not break me out. And unfortunately this did. I would also call this more of a niacinamide serum than a moisturizer. You can read my detailed review HERE.
5) Suganda BHA Exfoliating Serum
I bought this bottle right before getting the Paula's Choice BHA, used it a for a few weeks and did not like it. It didn't do anything for me. I didn't see any reduction in comedones or congestion nor did it work on any active breakouts. Full review here.
Now if you are looking to get a leave on BHA treatment, can I gently nudge you towards the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant? That product is, without a doubt, one of the best BHAs in the market & you won't be disappointed!
6) Kama Ayurveda Suvarna Brightening Face Pack
Somehow I get this slight burning sensation whenever I use it this mask. It also did not show any effect temporary or otherwise for me. Also tints the skin yellow. I am disappointed because I usually like products them, but hey, every once in a while there is a dud no matter how much you like any brand. It is expensive and I would rather put my money elsewhere or make a mask at home. Detailed review here.
7) The Body Shop Fiji Green Tea Purifying Hair Scrub
Man oh man... what a dud product this was. Everything else mentioned above has the potential to work to not work for you, depending on your skin. But this hair scrub was such a bummer and I don't think this can work for anyone. This might sound harsh but it's true. Read my experience here to understand exactly why this is a huge waste of money. Dries out the hair, makes it very frizzy, foams like crazy, difficult to use and spread...should I go on? The only thing I liked about this was the fragrance and the cooling sensation on the scalp on hot summer days. I think TBS has discontinued it, and if that is correct, thank God they did!
Got this because I wanted to cut down on my beauty waste wherever possible.
The good thing is that it doesn't have baking soda/sodium bicarbonate! It does have a bunch of essential oils - I don't have a problem with essential oils, yet...but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. Anyway, this was pretty much ineffective for me. It smells good for a while, but it did not help control/minimize sweat/body odour. I also find it difficult to spread & use. Once you swipe it on, it forms little lumps & needs to be rubbed in well.
It's also infuriating seeing all the marketing around all natural products - it usually geared towards fear mongering accompanied with words like "toxin free" "no nasties" "clean".
* If you like using natural deodorants & if they work for you then keep using them, but it's not for me.
9) Farsali Volcanic Elixir
This is easily one of the worst smelling skincare product I have ever used. It stinks...literally stinks! I am not sure if Tamanu oil smells like this or not because I don't have a point of reference.
I felt brave one night and applied the oil - my skin started feeling very itchy & red within 5 minutes & I had to wash it off before I got any reaction...never used it after that.
10) Tijori Underams Skin Brightening Pack
Again an impulse buy (it was on discount & I got tempted). It is quite literally clay - kaolin & fuller's earth (Multani mitt) in a tub. The ingredient list mentions things glycerin, papaya, orange but I honestly could not make out any and no one knows what is the amount put in.
It also did nothing. Nada...
I have used the Dot & Key Underarm mask before and at least that one makes the underarm area feel fresh and takes care of body odour too.
I also don't think I need a pre made mask for the underarms - I prefer making body masks at home. I honestly do not know why I bought this.
I hope this post helps you out. If you have any question, reach out on Instagram HERE and I will be happy to help you out.
xoxo,
Swati
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