Beauty ‘Classics’- Are they worth the hype?

When you hear of a ‘classic’ beauty product, do you question the legitimacy of it or run straight out to drop however much needs be to acquire it?

Luckily, most of the classics I have tried have not let me down but there have been times when these have been a big disappointment.

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Today I gathered up a bunch of the products I own that gurus have raved about over time and decided to do a short break-down of each. I do try to keep in mind that beauty products are different for everyone, so who knows, my disappointments may be someone else’s can’t-live-withouts’.

Lips: MAC Matte Lipstick in ‘Russian Red’ $36

One word can describe this lipstick: red. It is probably the reddest lipstick on the market today. One swipe and you get opaque pigmentation. For a lipstick that known for its fabulous colour payoff, this is definitely a good thing.

However, the opacity of the lipstick can sometimes be a bit overwhelming and can also be difficult to apply for those who don’t have steady hands. The colour is a classic blue-based red and has a velvety matte finish.

Lasting power is quite good, it tends to stain the lips, about 4-5 hours with eating and drinking. Is it worth the hype though? Yes in my opinion, if you are looking for a straight up classic red, this is it. If you prefer something softer and a little easier to work with, MAC’s ‘Ladybug’, a sheerer cherry-red, might be for you.

Cheeks: Nars Blush in ‘Orgasm’ $45

Known for their quality products and risqué names, Nars overall has the reputation of producing some top notch colour cosmetics.

Cheek powders are especially famous in the collection, with most beauty enthusiasts almost definitely having heard of the famed ‘Orgasm’ blush. The colour is the main selling point of this blush, the peachy-pink base with fine gold micro shimmer claiming to flatter all skin-tones.

I find myself reaching for this often enough, do I love it though? Probably not enough to repurchase it. However it is a great blush for everyday use and I do see it being flattering on most people. If you like shimmery peachy blushes, this is for you. If not, probably best to give it a miss or try a cheaper dupe like Bourjois ‘Lune D’Or’.

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Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original $23.70

I never wear eye shadow without a primer, so I just had to get my hands on this famed primer. Perhaps the most talked about eye shadow primer, Urban Decay Primer Potion has reached cult status in the makeup world.

Despite this product being the one I was most itching to try, I am saddened to say it did not live up to my expectations. The formula was a tad too greasy and thin and, even though it lessened it, I did see creasing in my eye shadow about halfway through the day.

Some reviews I have read have stated that the newer releases, like ‘Sin’ and ‘Eden’, do a better job at helping eye shadows stick.

Face: YSL ‘Touche Eclat’ $55

Touche Eclat (Radiant Touch) is one of YSL’s best selling products. It claims to brighten areas of the face while simultaneously concealing blemishes and acting as a highlighter.

Upon application it is slightly liquidy, making me a little wary about how well it can actually cover dark circles and blemishes. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that is worked quite well to cover these imperfections.

The light reflecting particles in this concealer work superbly to accentuate the cheekbones while deflecting shadows away from any lines and discolouration.

Nails: China Glaze ‘For Audrey’ $9.95

Here at BWA, we love everything Audrey. And this nail polish is no exception. It is about as close to the Tiffany’s box blue as you can get. It has a hint of seafoam green, making it quite an original colour too.

It wears fantastically, opaque in one coat and chip-free for up to a week. One problem with this polish is that it is incredibly difficult to get your hands on.

Many online outlets do not ship to Australia and out of the ones that do, most never seem to have any in stock. For those who are going to the USA or UK or have friends/family who are going there, definitely stock up.

Alternatively, you can use a forwarding service like ShipW to ship your purchases from US to Australia. They will provide you a US address where you can shop like a local. Also, when you are ready, all your purchases will be shipped through DHL or USPS Express at lower rates than regular ones.

Skin: Philosophy ‘Purity Made Simple’ Cleanser $13.50

Philosophy products tend to be on the pricier side so when I discovered that the much hyped about ‘Purity Made Simple’ was such a steal, I jumped on in.

It has become my holy grail cleanser. Everything about it is divine. It lathers nicely, smells amazing and leaves my skin feeling super soft. Personally, I have fairly normal skin- not too sensitive.

I have read a few reviews where this cleanser was a bit too abrasive for those with sensitive skin, so if you’re in this demographic I suggest asking for a sample or demonstration before purchase.

Body: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream $12

One of these hand creams is sold every 20 seconds around the world. With this kind of consumption you can’t help but wonder what makes this hand cream so special.

First of all, it is a very rich cream- perfect for extremely dry hands. It’s 100% natural and contains reparative ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil and rapeseed.  The cream does a good job at repairing and preventing dryness however it does nothing above and beyond that.

For the price though, you can’t really complain. Personally, I like to keep this in my stash as a staple- not holy grail material but definitely useful.

Perfume: Chanel No. 5 $136

Chanel No. 5 is the kind of perfume your mother and her mother may have used. It is a tried and true classic. It is a powdery, floral scent with notes of Ylang Ylang.

I have tried to like this perfume but honestly I find it much too cloying. The scent is quite heavy and very sophisticated, a great night scent. It has a very traditional perfume scent and judging by generations this perfume has been around, it was the first perfume launched by Coco herself, it is something that really captures the essence of the 1920s.

If you guys have made it to the end of this very long article, props to you! And if you have any other beauty classics you have tried let me know what they are and if you love them/hate them!

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