Top 5 Cult Beauty Products That Actually Deserve the Hype
You know you’ve heard of them – those same few beauty products that are always featured in fashion magazines, get rave reviews online, and might even count a few of your friends as evangelistic fans. But if you’ve ever tried some of these cult products for yourself, you probably know that the hype is sometimes just that – hype. (Maybelline Great Lash Mascara comes to mind!) These cult products sadly don’t always work as well as their reputations would suggest.
But sometimes, these cult products really do live up to their own hype, and really do perform miracles! Curious as to which ones are actually worth the money? Here are the top 5 cult products that deserve all the hype they get.
1. Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion – $17 at Sephora
This product is a must-have if you wear eyeliner or shadow on a daily basis – it will keep your eye makeup in place and looking flawless all day long!
I actually stayed away from this product for a LONG time because I didn’t believe anything would stop eyeshadow from creasing on my oily lids, but this totally does. I was honestly shocked the first time I tried it, and I’ve been a total convert ever since. This product is truly non-negotiable – if you want your eye makeup to look amazing and STAY looking amazing, this is one product you have to invest in.
2. Rosebud Salve
Rosebud Perfume Co. Rosebud Salve – $6 at Sephora
Rosebud Salve is a miracle lip product that will have even the most chapped lips feeling smooth and soft all day. It comes in a cute vintage-style tin and smells amazing. Even better? It’s only $6 for a huge tub that will last you months. While Chapstick and Carmex don’t work for my winter chapped lips, I swear by Rosebud Salve all year long. I don’t know what I’d do without it: no other lip balm comes close.
3. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler – $19 at Sephora
Say what you want about other eyelash curlers, but there’s not one that beats the Shu. Maybe it’s because of the specially curved pads, or the ergonomic design, but I’ve had noticeably better results with this curler in comparison to the drugstore brands I’ve tried.
Yes, $19 is a lot for an eyelash curler, but it’s worth it because you will use it every day and it really does make a huge difference in how your eyes look. Don’t believe me? See this before and after to understand why curling your lashes is so important.
4. Batiste Dry Shampoo
Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo – $7.49 at Sally Beauty Supply
If you’ve ever woken up with 5 minutes to get ready for class and no time to shower, you need Batiste Dry Shampoo! This is the ultimate time-saving hair product for girls on the go and works like a charm to rid your hair of greasy roots and leave your strands freshly scented. At $7.49, it’s a little pricey, but so worth the cost for the time it will save you in the morning. As a bonus, it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like talc, so it’s not only a great beauty product, but it’s also health-friendly (at least as far as hair products go).
5. Tweezerman Tweezers
Tweezerman Slant Tweezers – $20 at Sephora
I know some people think all tweezers are the same, but these really do make a difference. At $20, Tweezermans are definitely expensive, but worth it because they cut your tweezing time in half. There’s no more struggling to grasp a hair, worrying about the tweezers slipping, or trying more than once to tweeze the same hair. Tweezerman gets the hair without fail, every time. Even better, these tweezers are SO cute in your makeup bag – in tons of colors including a limited edition Prada print, you’re bound to find the perfect design for you.
What do you think?
Are there any cult beauty products in your repertoire? Which cult products do you believe deserve their hype? Which cult products are NOT worth trying in your opinion? Sound off in the comments!
Posted on on December 17, 2009 / Filed Under: Beauty & Hair / Tags: Beauty, Beauty Products, Eyebrows, eyelashes, Lip Balm, Lips, Makeup, Tweezers
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EmilythePanda
Yes to Rosebud Salve! Yes to the Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler! And Yes to Tweezerman tweezers! I’m definitely going to get dry shampoo this winter, being so busy means I don’t always have a lot of time to get ready, and I’m intrigued by this Urban Decay stuff…
Heather
The Batiste dry shampoo has been banned in Canada because of the propellant causing health problems, I’d be wary of using it.
Shannon
I’ve always used the Shiseido eyelash curler, but when I was in Japan this summer, Shu Uemura eyelash curlers (mini and regular sized) were $10 duty free in the airport, so I picked up one of each.
Verdict: I still like the Shiseido one better, but that might be out of habit? I dunno..But both work better than any eyelash curler I’ve bought in the states, probably because they’re from Asian companies so they fit my Asian eyes better. =]
As for the Rosebud Salve, I think I’m going to be taking a trip to Sephora for that today…
Great article!
Sam
I totally agree on the Primer Potion and the Tweezerman tweezers. I actually hate Rosebud Salve (the smell sickens me for some reason) but it is a good moisturizer. You can also use it on your hands and any other dry spots. I bought some for my lips, hated the smell, and decided to use it on my feet every night (inside of socks.) My feet were extremely soft although I think vasaline works just as well. The eyelash curler doesn’t impress me. My friend has that one and it didn’t seem to work any better than my $1 Elf curler. But I naturally have long lashes that curl, so maybe there isn’t much any eyelash curler can do for me.
Anyways, great post! I love beauty posts and would love to see more of them.
Natalie
Yesss to Rosebud Salve! I have the Shiseido eyelash curler, but hardly ever use it. I never see a difference between my curled and uncurled lashes!
As far as products that DON’T deserve the hype…what’s up with Maybelline’s Great Lash mascara winning awards left and right every single year? The pink and green tube is cute and all, but honestly I didn’t think it was that great of a mascara. Maybe for the day, but it looked like I didn’t have anything on at all!
Simone
I love Rosebud Salve! I’ve been using it since high school and converted a few of my friends to it. And I swear by Urban Decay primer when I use eyeshadow. I’m planning to get one of the Shu eyelash curlers and to check out the dry shampoo soon. Great picks!
Zephyr - CF Editor
Heather – Really? I tried to look up info about that and couldn’t find anything.. could you send me a link? I had no idea – hope it’s not true!
Shannon – Hmm, never tried Shiseido but I have heard good things as well! I think so long as you don’t get a drugstore brand eyelash curler you’re probably good. The Shu is just the best one I’ve tried!
Sam – Too bad about the scent bothering you! I love it but I can totally see how some people might not. Glad you still found a use for it, though.
Natalie – I don’t know! I hate that stuff – it doesn’t do anything good for me at all and I really don’t understand why people love it so much… maybe because it’s just really basic? I don’t know.
Ashley
I’m not crazy about the Shu Uemura curler! I’ve tried so many eyelash curlers over time, from fancy to cheap, and my favorite is still the cheapest one they sell at walgreens – I think it’s by Studio 55? No other curlers fit my eyes at all! I do love Tweezerman tweezers – I actually bought all of my friends a pair for Christmas from TJ Maxx for about $10 each! As far as dry shampoo, I prefer Oscar Blandi – I love the light lemon scent, and when my roots are showing, it even makes them blend in more (I have blonde hair). It’s expensive at $11 for 1 ounce, but so worth it!
My favorite beauty splurge is Ultra Bland Cleanser from Lush! I used to bounce from drugstore brands to Clinque stuff, but this oil based cleanser does wonders for my skin. I’m so obsessed with it – my boss even noticed the other day that my “face looks more smooth and stuff” (oh, boys).
I agree with Natalie about Maybelline mascara! I love DiorShow!
Oh, and about the eye primer – I used to use that stuff all the time, but then a friend turned me on to Monistat Anti-Chafing Creme. Yeah, the yeast infection people. In that same aisle you can find this cream that is supposed to be used if your thighs rub together and chafe – but it works AMAZINGLY well as a makeup primer. Seriously. Try it. it’s something like $6 for a big tube that lasts forever!
diana
You chose some great picks that are well deserving. I’ve tried so many eye primers and I swear that Urban Decay is the best eye primer out there. I have yet to try the Rosebud Salve but I’ve heard so many great things about this lip balm. I’ll definitely pick one up during my visit to Sephora this weekend.
Samantha
There’s only 1 item of those 5 that I don’t own, the eyelash curlers, so I completly agree with the post, and now have to buy the curlers :)
Erin
Rosebud salve does work really well, but if you look at the ingredients it’s just petroleum jelly with a little cottonseed oil, menthol and coloring/scent mixed in. So save the money and go buy a tub of petroleum jelly/vaseline.
As for the rest, I have to agree they’re certainly worth the hype!
Heather
Zephyr – I never found any info about it on the net either but when I went to my local Sally Beauty store that’s what they told me. Canadian regulations are generally a lot stricter than U.S. ones, so it doesn’t surprise me that you can still buy it in the U.S.
Kellie
Rosebud salve is my favorite beauty product of all time! I absolutely love the scent (it is unique though) and it works miracles! I first tried it my freshman year of high school and have been hooked ever since. Also, Tweezermans definitely beat all other tweezers. I always carry mine in my purse because I hate getting ready at my friends house if they don’t have one!
gaby
I totally agree with the Urban Decay Primer. When I go out at night and forget to take my makeup off when I come home, its still perfect in the morning even after hours of sleeping. My friends are always so surprised that it still looks perfect and it’s all because of the primer!
Adrianne
Another great thing about Tweezerman is that you can send them back to the company to get them resharpened for free, so you pretty much only have to buy a pair of their tweezers once.
Rebecca
I have been using Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer for the last 6 years (and I’m only 19, so that’s saying something) and it’s never failed me even once. I remember agonizing over my eyeshadow going downhill throughout the day and found it online. I make special trips to Sephora every couple of months just to make sure I have some!
Christine
I just started using Urban Decay’s primer potion and I love it! I dont have to worry about that ugly crease showing up in the middle of the day.
A product that I love that I cant live without is CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Balm Stick. Everytime I breathe its minty! Its like a quick easy breath freshener when you need it ;D They have a gloss but I’m not much of a glossy lips person.
Zephyr - CF Editor
Ashley – Wow, never heard of the anti-chafing stuff! Sounds kinda gross but I guess if it saves money and works the same, that’s pretty good! Just have to make yourself forget it’s an “anti chafing cream” haha.
Erin – Good point! You definitely pay for the packaging and the scent – I just love how cute it is though and I’m addicted to the smell. I’m sure vaseline would work just as well though.
Heather – Wow, that’s good to know! I’ll keep looking into it – I definitely don’t want to recommend (or use) something that isn’t safe. Thanks for the info!
Adrianne – Oh yeah! Totally forgot about that. Yet another reason Tweezermans are the best. :)
Rebecca – Aah, I wish I had jumped on the bandwagon sooner. I never bought it because I don’t wear a lot of eyeshadow – but totally didnt realize I could use it for liner too! Makes my life SO much easier now.
Paula ♥
I def. want to check out the Rosebud Salve, I hear so many good things about it! As for the eyelash curler, I don’t think I need one. My eyelashes are naturally curly :D
Ashley LaFerriere
Number 1 and 2 are my absolute must haves. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I haven’t tried any of the others, but I will now! Thanks :)
JG
Love the Shu eyelash curler. I’ve been using it for years and it is by far better than any other eyelash curler I’ve used.
Although most swear by the Rosebud Salve for lips, I swear by Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment with SPF15. It is pricey at $22.50 a bottle, but for someone who must have chapstick on at all times, it’s nice for me because I only need to use it a few times a day because it lasts so long. I also like that it has SPF in it and it smells wonderful.
Also, dying to try the Urban Decay Eyeshadow primer. I hate the crease eyeshadow can leave sometimes (especially cream eyeshadow) and if you recommend it, I’ll try it!
allieb
I have been using Shampowder Dry Shampoo they just sent me a coupon code for second at 1/2 price . the code is “shampowdersecret” – Just thought i would pass it on.
Cathy
URBAN DECAY PRIMER IS AMAZING!! I haven’t had a chance to replace mine yet and every time I’m doing my make-up to go somewhere, I’m bummed that I don’t have it around. My eyeshadow just doesn’t come out well and just doesn’t stay without that primer! It’s magic, for real. I could go out FOR HOURS, come home, and my make-up looked just as pretty. I need to get my hands on some more Primer Potion ASAP! Definitely worth the money.
However — the shape of the product means that there’s A LOT of product in there that you aren’t able to get to with the wand. You won’t believe how much until you see it! Check it out here: http://www.bellasugar.com/940116 There’s also a link to a how-to get it all out. Now it’s even more worth the money! ;)
Caitlin
I love my MAC paint pot and its almost out, and I mentioned this to the girl who was helping me out last time I was at Sephora making another purchase and she mentioned the Urban Decay Primer. She said she’d used the MAC one I have and the Urban Decay, and Urban Decay is way better. Now especially after seeing it here on College Fashion I’ll definitely be trying it out next (not to mention its cheaper than MAC) :). I just bought some Rosebud Salve a few weeks ago and I love it, although I haven’t noticed yet if it works much better than my other lip balm. It definitely IS good though, and with the great smell, cute tin, and nice tint of colour its definitely something I can see myself buying over again!
rachelle
i have all of these things except for the dry shampoo…i use a diferent brand. they are all great, though!! funny you should mention great lash mascara…i have a friend with GREAT eyelashes that uses it and i could not believe it when she told me it was greatlash! WELL i tried it again because of her, and she must have natrually amazing lashes underneath because i STILL hate the stuff haha.
Andrea
I also hate Maybelline Great Lash. There are so many better mascaras out there! (Even drug store ones!) My favorite drug store mascara used to be Max Factor’s Lash Lift. And then they stopped selling in Canada (about four years ago!). So i was buying them online. And then they stopped selling in the states!
I did not know that you could get the rosebud salve at sephora. I have never seen it?
I totally agree on the primer potion. But I just love anything urban decay though. I find their eyeshadows stay on pretty well without the primer!
Ava
Rosesalve smells and tastes so good. And it works well. I would love it if it came in a click stick! One time I left my rose salve in my car on a hot day, and it was completely ruined, not to mention a total pain to clean up.
Linda
Great article!
I love the salve…although I had to get used to the smell…lol
I have a cousin who always has the most amazing makeup even after we go out and party for hours…. I finally asked her how … & sure enough she said it was all due to the primer. Haha…
I’m not really a makeup person..but I have been experimenting & the UDPP is amazinggg.
Lisse
I love anything from LUSH. They opened a store in a mall nearby almost 2 years ago, and I’ve been going there ever since a friend told me about it. I love their handcreams and lip balms. The only downside is that it’s pretty pricey. My sister has extrememly dry skin and she only uses the cream when it starts to dry up and it works miracles. There are other creams she’s tried which sting and LUSH doesn’t. Also, all you vegans out there, they have great vegan products all around the store (:
lea
diorshow mascara, buxom lash, and nars orgasm blush are other cult favorites of mine. you won’t be disappointed!
Lorry
Dear Heather,
Batiste Dry Shampoo is definitely available in Canada, and has been around for more than 2 years – and has been available in Europe for more than 20 years.
I work for the Canadian distributor of this amazing product and can assure you that it had no problem whatsoever passing Health Canada standards.
I can be reached at lorry@farleyco.ca if anyone is looking for it in stores here.
It is currently available in select Zellers stores, select Pharmasave stores and many independents stores across the country. Select Shoppers Drug Mart stores carry the “Original” scent.
Very disappointed that Sally’s would say such a thing, and we will be looking into it.
We will in fact be bringing additional new Batiste products to Canada in 2010.
Julie
i was out buying a gift for my sister in law and decided i needed to try this rosebud salve, its been 3 days and i think im already hooked.
After shoveling the snow that rocked NY on sunday, i had THE worst chapped lips. I put the rosebud salve on before i went to bed and my chapped lips were gone by morning!!
Verge
I love the beauty blender! It’s a little pink foam egg — you wet it and you can get amazing, airbrushed looking results easily. I’m not even that good at applying makeup but with this thing it’s almost impossible to goof!!! Target had some similar items but in purple. I bought both of the ones they had left. I’ll never buy another applicator sponge again.
Kristina - University of Arizona
I have a Shu and a MAC eyelash curler, and I like the MAC one better. However, the Rosebud Salve is amazingggg.
Zephyr - CF Editor
Verge – Yes, the BeautyBlender is amazing! Totally want to feature it here sometime soon. It really does do wonders if you wear foundation!
Nazrine
I’m a big fan of Helena Rubinstein mascaras, though the prices are ridiculous.
Kristina - University of Arizona
Zephyr I have a question about the Urban Decay product…you said you can use it for eye liner but what about the bottom lid? Wouldn’t it get into your eye ball? Haha Im just curious because my bottom eyeliner never stays on, but I’m skeptical about using a product so close to my eye!
Zephyr - CF Editor
Kristina – I don’t really wear bottom eyeliner most days, but I have used UDPP on my lower lashline before for smokey eyes – basically you just do a tiny amount and make sure to not put it on the inner rim. I’m not sure if it would work well for the inner rim, though, although I SWEAR I’ve gotten it in my eye before and nothing bad has happened, haha.
manda
If you are looking for beauty products that are good for the environment there is alot out there, I recommend Aveda…no aerosel dry shampoo will be a “good for the environment; at least for hair products.’ You can have sustainable, plant and flower products at great costs.
LIly
I’m surprised u guys don’t like maybeline great lash. I’ve used that mascara for plenty of years and it works great, of course i use make up forever’s lash primer, which maybe gives my lashes a boost? idk but i personally have never had problems with it. It lasts all day on my lashes.