Regret Me Not: 17 "Villain" Beauty Products I Wish I'd Never Bought & "Hero" Versions I Cannot Go Without
Your "anti-product junkie" reporting live from my bathroom vanity.
9 minute read.
Do you remember Birchbox? That circa 2010 subscription wherein you pay to receive a monthly surprise medley of skincare and beauty products?
That is my idea of hell. Don’t leave a dead fish on my doorstep; leave a GlossyBox.
I am the anti-product junkie, so just the thought gives me shivers: lots of items to clutter my bathroom; testing new potions on my precious skin; tiny dispensers and bottles yielding an elfen portion that runs out just as you think you like it; minimal information on each company and chemistry…
Deliberate about what I purchase for skincare, I almost never buy new products because I only use what really works, and I stick with that until they stop making it. Old school.
If I actually buy something new, it’s because I anticipate it will be used almost every day, will noticeably improve my skin or hair, is not going to be the name defendant in a toxic tort lawsuit in 30 years, and will be refilled and replaced.
But sometimes I look around, seeing other women frolicking in the shallow waters of testing out the newest and shiniest thing, and wonder if I’m missing out. Maybe I should just chill a little bit and dip my toes in the pool of products. So I’ll dabble.
Sometimes I deeply regret it. Sometimes I feel like a smug genius.
Below, I share the 17 “Villain” and “Heroes” (yes, with photos and links) of my adventures in skincare and haircare. The worst Villain? A recent mortifying $250 waste that you’ve heard of. The best Hero? Hard to pick between the Brazilian Blowout dupe or the P50 replacement…
1. Hero: Anfisa “ãn-balm” radiant hydra balm
SAVED HERE. This is my fourth jar. Recommended by my facialist, Isabel, who only uses the best “clean” yummy effective products. This is what I use as my face lotion every morning and night. You scoop out a tiny rice size amount of balm, but as soon as you rub it into the skin, it emulsifies and spreads out as more of an oil. But it’s not runny or droppy, nor is it sticky; it just disappears and seeps so deep into the skin. It’s like drinking a huge glass of water. I’m never going back to typical face lotions. The largest jar is $145, but it is quite large and again, you use a rice (not even pea) size amount each time. The product literally expands and multiplies when it touches your skin so you use very little each application. I love it so much and have for a long time.
2. Villain:
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