Every year, beauty enthusiasts dive into countless makeup products, discovering new favorites and sometimes facing disappointing flops. After a year of testing dozens of formulas across foundations, mascaras, lipsticks, and more, I’m sharing an honest review of the best and worst makeup products I tried this year. Whether you’re hunting for holy grails or want to avoid common pitfalls, this roundup will help guide your next beauty purchase.
The Best Makeup Products I Tried This Year
1. Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara – Thrive Causemetics
This mascara truly impressed me with its tubing formula that lengthens and volumizes lashes without smudging or flaking. It’s gentle, removes easily with warm water, and gives a dramatic lash look without clumps—definitely a standout in the mascara category.
2. Buildable Blur CC Cream – Thrive Causemetics
A perfect blend of makeup and skincare, this CC cream provides medium coverage with a natural finish and SPF 35. It feels lightweight and breathable while offering skincare benefits like hydration and antioxidants. Ideal for everyday wear.
3. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation
Affordable and reliable, this foundation provides excellent medium coverage with a natural matte finish. It controls oil well and offers a smooth base for the rest of my makeup, making it a great drugstore find.
4. ColourPop Eyeshadow Palettes
Known for vibrant pigmentation and buttery textures, ColourPop palettes made it easy to create both everyday and bold looks. The shades blend seamlessly and wear well throughout the day.
5. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
Comfortable, richly pigmented, and long-lasting, this lip cream delivers a velvety matte finish without drying out the lips. The wide shade range is an added bonus.
The Worst Makeup Products I Tried This Year
1. High-End Glitter Eyeshadow Palette (Unnamed Brand)
While the shimmer was beautiful, the formula was extremely chalky and prone to fallout, making application frustrating and messy. The glitter didn’t stick well and faded quickly.
2. Expensive Foundation That Felt Heavy and Cakey
Despite the high price, this foundation felt thick on my skin and settled into fine lines. It lacked blendability and didn’t last throughout the day, leaving me wondering if the cost was truly justified.
3. Lipstick with Poor Pigmentation and Drying Formula
Some lipsticks I tested lacked color payoff and felt drying even after applying balm underneath. The formula was uncomfortable and required frequent touch-ups.
4. Mascara That Smudged Easily
A particular mascara claimed to be waterproof but smudged within hours, causing raccoon eyes and irritation. It was disappointing, especially given the hype around the brand.
5. Eyeshadow Primer That Made Creasing Worse
An eyeshadow primer intended to extend wear actually caused creasing and faded eyeshadow faster than without any primer.
What I Learned From This Year’s Makeup Trials
- Price doesn’t always equal quality: Some budget-friendly products outperformed luxury ones, proving that great makeup doesn’t have to break the bank.
- Formulation matters more than packaging: Gorgeous packaging is a bonus but doesn’t guarantee performance.
- Test products in real conditions: Trying products only in-store or under ideal lighting isn’t enough—wear time and skin compatibility are crucial.
- Clean tools and routine upkeep improve results: Proper makeup care enhances product performance and protects skin health.
Final Thoughts
This year was a mix of hits and misses, but overall, the standout products delivered on their promises and earned a permanent place in my routine. When shopping for makeup, always look beyond branding and hype—prioritize formulas that suit your skin type, lifestyle, and preferences.
Whether you’re searching for a new favorite or want to avoid common duds, this honest review highlights the reality of makeup testing—some products dazzle, while others disappoint. Use these insights to navigate your beauty journey with confidence in 2025 and beyond.