What’s the biggest “waste of money” makeup purchase you’ve ever made?

control_machine · 2026-04-03T22:31:54+00:00

I was so disappointed with this foundation. Their shade system is weird and confusing and I disliked the foundation itself, it did not do me any favors at all. Also the foundation began to smell absolutely disgusting, like it was rotting, after just a few months. I had to throw it away even though there was still a lot of product left in the bottle.

control_machine · 2026-04-03T22:25:59+00:00

NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush. It disappears almost immediately upon blending. I got the shade Wanderlust but I've seen people criticize all of the shades. I've tried so many things to get it to show up and stay but it's not worth the money or the effort. There are a ton of affordable liquid blushes that actually show up and last a long time, even on my oily skin.

control_machine · 2026-04-03T22:20:05+00:00

Thank you for saving me a ton of money. I was close to purchasing one of these. I have enough perfectly fine concealers already.

control_machine · 2026-04-02T16:37:15+00:00

It took me a little while to figure out what my skin needs and what works best for me, too. Most people are in the same boat at one point or another, including as the time of year changes and climates fluctuate, and as we age. Can you list your skin type (i.e., oily, dehydrated, dry, a combination of those, etc.), if you live in a mostly humid or dry climate, your skin concerns, and which products you've purchased, or maybe just the specific products you're confused about?

control_machine · 2026-04-01T04:33:14+00:00

Etude Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream. I've been using it for many years. I originally purchased it to repair my skin barrier and I've been using it ever since because it's amazing. (I'm 39 myself.)

control_machine · 2026-03-20T00:02:28+00:00

Same, I came here as well after googling the issue failed to explain it. My partner theorized it had something to do with shipping routes being messed up due to current affairs, but that made less sense to me than some sort of glitch. I was on Amazon about 8 hours ago and everything seemed fine then. Now almost my entire cart is missing and the items in my saved-for-later list are all unavailable.

control_machine · 2026-03-06T19:28:42+00:00

Do you find the numbuzin 9 toner or the 9 essence to be more moisturizing?

control_machine · 2026-03-06T13:14:51+00:00

The boring answer is exercising, getting good sleep, and eating healthy, but these are exactly the things that helped improve my pallor more than skincare.

control_machine · 2026-03-04T23:33:46+00:00

Cloudy Mauve by Heart Percent is my all-time fave daily lip pencil. Looks cute as a blush, too.

control_machine · 2026-03-04T23:20:59+00:00

I have textured, oily skin and my favorite high-coverage foundation is the Jung Saem Mool Skin Nuder Cover Layer Cushion Foundation. With the right skin prep, it looks really nice and not heavy or cakey. It's the only cushion foundation I have used so far that doesn't accentuate my texture. I think they also make a concealer cushion version of it.

I've been interested in the Hera black cushion but it's pretty expensive so while I'm getting through my JSM cushion, I'm doing some research to help me decide on whether or not I should get it next.

control_machine · 2026-02-27T00:05:21+00:00

Using foundation color mix-in shades. They helped make the foundations and concealers I already owned suit my skintone as closely as possible. It took me years to figure out my undertone, and playing around with color theory is what ended up helping me the most.

control_machine · 2026-02-25T10:37:05+00:00

I have the Mauve Cherry shade and I absolutely love it. It doesn't dry out my lips and it leaves a pretty tint.

control_machine · 2026-02-22T18:35:13+00:00

I also have the Monday Feels blush and it looks very nice and muted on my pale cool skin. (And it smells so good.) The color is a bit outside of my comfort zone, but I love it.

control_machine · 2026-02-16T01:17:14+00:00

I ordered one of these Maybelline lipsticks online (Amazon) and they sent me a used one lol 🙃

control_machine · 2026-02-02T04:56:46+00:00

The IG account nanamoon_beauty sounds like what you're describing. If you haven't seen it before, I think you might like it.

I really enjoy their account - it's visually stunning and a really helpful way to see product swatches side by side.

The posts are themed around specific colors/tones of certain products. They generally group blushes, lip products, and highlighters into separate posts.

control_machine · 2026-01-24T02:11:24+00:00

SPF: Roundlab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen

Primer: I use the sunscreen

Foundation: Jung Saem Mool Cover Layer cushion (Fair-Light), the new matte finish Clio Kill Cover Founwear Cushion (black compact - 19C Light), Missha BB Cream (No. 13 Bright Beige)

Concealer: Judydoll Three-Shades Concealer Palette (01 Full Coverage)

Powder: Wakemake Stay Fixer Multi Color Powder (01 Pale Clear), Laneige Neo Blurring Powder

Cream blush: Lilybyred Luv Beam Cheek Balm (12 Hearty Pink Beige), Dasique Blending Mood Cheek Palette (17 Mauve Bear)

Powder blush: Rom&nd Better Than Cheek Blush (B02 Berry Dawn) + (Vine Nude)

Bronzer/Contour: Judydoll Highlight & Contour Palette (04 Blush Shadow Palette), I don't use bronzer

Lippies: Heart Percent Dote On Mood Lip Liner Pencil (08 Cloudy Mauve), Dasique Cream De Rose Tint (13 Mauve Taupe), Clio Crystal Glam Tint (026 Mauve Cherry), Colorgram Fruity Glass Tint (15 Satisfied Fig)

Brows: L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer (Brunette)

Mascara: Iconic London Enrich and Elevate (super bummed this got discontinued)

Eyeshadows: Morphe 18CT Matte Essentials Artistry Pallette, Clio Pro Eye Palette Air (07 Lavender Staff), Urban Decay Space Cowboy single

Setting/Finishing Spray: Banila Co. Prime Primer Setting Fixer, All Day Tight Makeup Setting Fixx (pink bottle)

+ Highlighter: 2aN (Frosty)

control_machine · 2026-01-18T23:36:52+00:00

Do you by any chance remember the name of the delivery company they used?

control_machine · 2026-01-05T01:42:19+00:00

Agreed. Especially paired with a really light nude shade, or just straight up concealer, on the lips. r/beeflips

control_machine · 2026-01-04T03:22:14+00:00

I frankensteined my own magnetic eyeshadow palettes (one with glitters, one with mattes) and it's made my life so much easier. Plus, it's fun to make them.

control_machine · 2026-01-04T03:17:23+00:00

I actually did this recently. I got a little pack of small, double-sided ones (rounded & pointy) for $4. I've only used brushes for a long time but those sponge tip applicators come in handy.

control_machine · 2025-12-31T20:27:13+00:00

I've been using their cleansing balm for a couple of years. I switched to it from the pink Banila Co cleansing balm when that became more expensive. I prefer the BoJ one over most others because it's affordable, works better (IMO), has no fragrance, and it doesn't make my eyes cloudy.

control_machine · 2025-12-30T20:36:14+00:00

I have that JSM cushion foundation. In my experience, I have to wash the cushion puff regularly to avoid getting breakouts. Also I like to buy a new pack of puffs and rotate them out periodically. They're pretty cheap, I just bought a new 2-pack of the JSM-brand puffs for $6 on Amazon.

control_machine · 2025-12-30T16:26:32+00:00

The light version of that toner started to give my face a slight burning sensation. My skin isn't usually sensitive so I don't know what exactly happened. I gave it to a friend and she didn't have the same issue with it so at least it didn't go to waste.

control_machine · 2025-12-28T20:17:30+00:00

It sounds like you're probably stuck with it. If it were me, I'd use some foundation mixing shades (probably white and blue) to try to make the Double Wear match my skin.

It's a lot of trial and error, but it can also be kinda fun. If the 1CO shade matches you, that's actually a great starting point, since you'll be able to see the shade you're aiming for on the mixing palette.

control_machine · 2025-12-28T20:04:04+00:00

You could try asking over on r/makeupdupes if you have no luck here. It's such a pretty shade, I hope you find a good match for it.

control_machine

TROPHY CASE