Come on, you know exactly which products we’re talking about: they’re the ones that have reached cult-status in a matter of months; the ones that you see constantly on your Instagram feed, interspersed with rave reviews by celebrities and influencers.
But are these beauty products with waiting lists miles long actually worth the hype? Daily Vanity does some investigating to see if they’re worth your hard-earned cash.
- 1. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
- 2. The Ordinary Serum Foundation
- 3. Sand & Sky Pink Clay Mask
- 4. Kylie Lip Kit
- 5. Farsali Rose Gold Elixir
- 6. Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque
- 7. GlamGlow #Glittermask Gravitymud Firming Treatment
- 8. Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops
- 9. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
- 10. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
- 11. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation
- 12. Hourglass Equilibrium Biomiemetic Skin Active Serum
- 13. Verb Dry Shampoo
1. Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask
Slated to be a skin-smoothing, radiance boosting sleeping mask that gives post-facial results, this watermelon infused sleeping mask by Glow Recipe has been receiving what feels like universal acclaim.
Reviews on Sephora, Influenster, and Amazon are largely positive, though we did discover a common pattern of comments addressing how the product should be used sparingly.
It seems to check out in every other aspect though, with most users on various review sites having nothing but good things to say about the product. Suitable for all skin types and at half the price it costs for a facial, we have to say that we definitely get the appeal.
The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask is available on its site, Sephora USA, Amazon, and Qoo10. It retails for SGD69.99.
2. The Ordinary Serum Foundation
A 25,000-person waitlist for a — get this — six-dollar foundation? Yup, you heard that right. The Ordinary is a skincare brand that basically focuses on producing clinical technologies with honesty and integrity. To sum it up? It’s a no-frills, no-fluff skincare brand that promises to deliver on effective results.
But how does The Ordinary Serum Foundation fare, reviews wise? Well, this one is a bit of a mixed bag, from what we can tell.
In general, there are a large number of positive reviews, though we can’t help but notice that there are more than a several who talk about how the foundation only provided very light coverage, with the formula ‘separating’ and cracking after several hours of application. After further research, it seems that the foundation is definitely not suitable for those with dry, oily, or mature skin, as the foundation apparently settles into fine lines and crow’s feet, making them look more obvious than ever.
Our verdict? Not all that worth the hype, despite the excellent price point.
The Ordinary Serum Foundation is available on its site, Shopee, and Qoo10. It retails for SGD15.
3. Sand & Sky Pink Clay Mask
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkCTkhihYnO/?hl=en&taken-by=sandandskyaus
This mask is a 4-in-1 treatment that apparently works for all skin types. It tightens pores, detoxifies, brightens, and gives your skin a radiant glow for days after use. Not just that, it also happens to be vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.
The reviews are mostly positive, though there have been a few instances of users complaining about how the mask leaves a stinging sensation on their skin. A big gripe also seems to be its price point. While it works great, many users have mentioned that it’s not worth USD50 (~SGD68), and that there are cheaper alternatives out there that provides the same results at a fraction of a cost.
It does, however, seem to mostly deliver on a bright, radiant complexion and an even skin tone all whilst cleansing your skin, so it seems worth a shot if you have the money to spare!
The Sand & Sky Pink Clay Mask is available on iShopChangi for SGD65.33.
4. Kylie Lip Kit
Ah, the Kylie Lip Kit. This product pretty much broke the Internet when it was first released, with the whole collection reportedly selling out in just seven minutes. Slated to give you Kylie Jenner’s signature pout, the kit comes with a lip liner and a liquid lipstick, available in either a matte or velvet finish.
The reviews are pretty mixed for the lip kits, with some claiming that it has ‘one of the best staying powers she’s ever seen in a lip formula’, and others basically talking about how it’s extremely drying, flaky, and doesn’t set well.
It’s definitely on the pricier side, too, with one costing anywhere between SGD50-SGD63 depending on where you’re purchasing from. With the addition of shipping, it costs SGD60 to get it from the official site. From what we can tell, the hype seems to be mostly about how it’s associated with Kylie rather than the product. We’ll give it a miss if you’re not a big Kardashian fan.
The Kylie Lip Kit is available on its site and Qoo10. It retails for SGD60.
5. Farsali Rose Gold Elixir
This moisturiser was all over our Instagram feed for a while. Known to be an effective daily moisturiser suitable for all skin types, it claims to keep skin hydrated, healthy, and… oh did we mention that it does all of that with pure 24k gold flakes?
Yup, the formula contains shimmering, iridescent gold flakes that reminds us a little of fairy dust.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf7GwTznht9/?tagged=rosegoldelixir
It’s pretty, that’s for sure, but does it live up to its hype? According to a variety of reviews from sites like Makeupalley and Beautybay, it seems like it does, though some do claim that its overpriced and feels greasy on their skin. It’s a minority, though, so take with that what you will!
The Farsali Gold Elixir is available on its site and on Sephora. It retails for SGD79.
6. Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque
This hair treatment mask exploded onto the scene, with users claiming that the product gave them shinier, moisturised hair in just ten minutes. Claiming to be a 5-in-1 treatment, it restores, hydrates, and improves hair texture and shine. Simply dip the Tangle Tamer (comes with the product) into the formula and comb it over damp hair to see results!
The reviews are largely positive, though a few users have mentioned that they could have achieved the same effect with a cheaper conditioner or treatment out there.
The Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque is available on its site. It retails for SGD64.90.
7. GlamGlow #Glittermask Gravitymud Firming Treatment
Remember when you couldn’t go through your Instagram feed or two without seeing someone with a face full of glitter and sparkles? Yup, that was this treatment mask by GlamGlow, which supposedly delivers mega-targeted ingredients that makes the skin feel firmer and more defined just after one use.
It seems that the product is not living up to its reputation, though, with the reviews on its own site being largely negative. It has two and a half stars under reviews on its own site, with many users addressing how the mask made their skin red, blotchy, and irritated skin. They recently released in My Little Pony inspired glitter shades as well, but judging from the reception, we don’t foresee it reaching viral levels.
The GlamGlow #Glittermask Gravitymud Firming Treatment is available on its site and Sephora. It retails for SGD88.
8. Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops
These versatile bronzing and illuminating drops caused quite a stir when it first dropped. Available in a wide variety of shades so you can customise it to your ideal level of radiance, users mixed them in with their favourite foundations, primers, and serums to get their glow on.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bei3ZPpgYtA/?hl=en&taken-by=coverfx
A majority of the reviews are positive, with users loving its versatility and great coverage, though there are a few outliers who feel that the product changes the texture of the makeup they mix it in with, leaving it a little too oily for their liking.
The Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops are available on its site and Sephora. It retails for SGD65.
9. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser
Virtually any Glossier product could go on this list, if we’re being entirely honest — but the Milky Jelly Cleanser is definitely one of their most hyped products, with it claiming to be the ultimate daily face wash. Apparently, its cleansing power comes from gentle cleansing agents found in contact lens solution, which makes it tough on impurities but still safe on eyes.
The Milky Jelly Cleanser may have had a legendary waitlist, but there are definitely some less than pleased reviews out there about the product. Majority still enjoyed using the product, but apparently it is not suited for those with sensitive skin types. They developed red bumps, breakouts, and caused irritation along the eye area.
The Glossier Milk Jelly Cleanser can be bought from Blushboss. It retails for SGD24.55.
10. Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Drunk Elephant is another one of those cult brands whom you constantly see on your Instagram feed. The much-raved about product gracing everyone’s #Shelfie? The T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, which is basically a AHA/BHA Facial that helps improve skin texture and tone.
The product received positive reviews across the board, though we did come across two mentions on Makeupalley about how it caused breakouts.
The Drunk Elephant T.L.C Sukari Babyfacial is available on Skin X, Qoo10 and Ezbuy. It is also available in-store at Skin X (1 Tanjong Pagar Plaza, #02-15, Singapore 082001) and retails for SGD129.
11. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation
The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation was all anyone could talk about for months after it released. It made such a big splash that other beauty brands are now following suit, creating foundation ranges with much more diverse shades. But does it really deserve the hype?
Reviews are mixed across the board— it garners mostly high reviews on Sephora and Influenster, but Makeupalley has several negative ones. The complaints are mostly focused on how the product gives dry patches and scales on those with dry skin, though, so take note if you have a dry skin type!
The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation is available at all Sephora outlets. It retails for SGD50.
12. Hourglass Equilibrium Biomiemetic Skin Active Serum
This serum had a waitlist even leading up to its launch, which says a lot. Apparently, it’s a revolutionary night-time re-balancing treatment that comes with a whole host of benefits, allowing your skin to appear more youthful and radiant than before.
The reviews so far has been overwhelmingly positive across several sites, with lots of users saying it’s worth the hefty price tag.
The Hourglass Equilibrium Biomiemetic Skin Active Serum is available on Nordstrom. It retails for SGD477.36.
13. Verb Dry Shampoo
This dry shampoo already had a 2,000 person waiting list even before it was released. That’s right, people heard of it and came flocking. Formulated for all hair shades and textures, this baby supposedly refreshes hair, removes oil, and prevents damage from washing and styling.
So far, it has received mostly glowing testimonials, though we did find one addressing how the powder showed up in her dark coloured hair instead of being invisible as claimed.
The Verb Dry Shampoo is available on Sephora. It retails for SGD21.74.
