Three Products I Changed My Mind About

I test a lot of products, and only a small selection of them make the cut for a Twin Cities Live segment or earn a spot in my makeup drawer. At this point, I have a good idea about what products I'm going to like and will work for me. But every once in a while, my initial judgement proves wrong. I don't mind admitting when I'm wrong. 

I should say, I don't mind admitting now when I'm wrong. When I was in my 20s and 30s, I wasn't always great about it. Especially in professional settings, I was afraid that being wrong meant I was stupid, or incompetent or (God forbid) imperfect. I've experienced a massive shift in how I perceive being wrong - there's no shame in admitting you don't know something, or in changing your mind once you get new information - and I'm a better wife, friend, employee, and all-around person for it. 

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Moisturizer, price varies by retailer
I'm not sure I would have purchased this moisturizer if not for the pandemic. I'd run out of face moisturizer during the early days of Minnesota's Stay at Home order, which meant I needed to find a replacement at one of the two businesses I was making infrequent trips to: the drugstore or the grocery store.

There's something about the Olay brand...I know they have good products, backed by proven ingredients and science. BUT. I just don't get excited about their line. I don't know why! They have good stuff, but I rarely consider them for purchase. Plus, they're a drugstore brand sold at high end prices. That always trips me up.  In any case - I was getting desperate and needed to buy a moisturizer at the drugstore, so here we are. 

I chose the Micro-Sculpting cream from the Regenerist line because I liked the claims (hydrates, improves elasticity and firmness) and the ingredients ( Vitamin B3, Amino-Peptides, Hyaluronic Acid and Antioxidants). I bought a 0.5oz sample size for $11.99 to ensure the cream wouldn't inflame my reactive skin or cause any other issues before investing in a full size (1.7 oz) jar.  

I feel so petty typing this out, but the first few times I used the cream I just felt like, "Whaaaah - I don't want this!" It seemed so basic, so boring, so whatever. But that little red jar won me over. So much so that I wound up buying a full size of the fragrance-free formula. I can't say I really minded the original, fragranced version all that much (aside from the fact that I try to avoid unnecessary ingredients like fragrance in my skincare, in general) - the scent is a light fresh/floral that's kind of nice.  I really appreciate having a fragrance-free option, though. 

What won me over?

• It's a true workhorse formula - I wear it day and night
• It leaves a pleasant, velvety feeling to the skin and layers well under makeup
• It works well with the marula oil I frequently layer over moisturizers at night when my cheeks are extra dry
• My skin feels smooth and hydrated, 24/7

Glossier Stretch Concealer, $18
I bought the Stretch Concealer at the Glossier store during a work trip to New York in February, and it was the one product I knew I wanted and was going to love before I set foot in the store. I'd read tons of reviews and watched a lot of fellow beauty enthusiasts on YouTube rave about it. So that was a no-brainer purchase. 

Everything about this concealer sounded perfect to me. The claims were that the product was a buildable concealer that could handle everything on your face - dark circles, blemishes, redness - and do it with a natural, glowy finish.  Also, there was an interesting claim that said it was formulated with "elastic micro waxes" that move with the skin instead of caking on top of it. My dry, 40-year old face thought,"Uhm, yep. That's what I'm looking for!"

When I actually put the concealer on, initially, it was a total bust. I'm pretty sure cursing was involved. Under my eyes, the luminous formula accentuated my puffiness and the slid all over the place. I couldn't bring myself to powder under the eyes, so that was a loss.  I tapped the concealer into the skin with my fingers to tone down redness on my chin, cheeks and nose, then set it all with a setting powder. My face was greasy as hell within minutes. I could feel the product just sitting there. It was baffling. I chucked the jar in the back of my makeup drawer and silently seethed every time I dug past it for something else. Until...well, until I got tired of moving it around the drawer and decided, "ONE more time. I will try this thing ONE more time and then it's finding a new home." And suddenly, I really freaking liked it. 

What was different?

• I still didn't use it under my eyes, but switched up how I applied it to my face 
• I patted the product onto my red spots, then blended with a small face brush (rather than tapping in with my fingers)
• I set it with powder foundation instead of basic setting powder
• Suddenly, it wore well and my skin looked glowy and natural and nice

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Face Mask, $3.49
This one is going to surprise anyone who's watched a recent TCL segment or stood behind me in line at the drugstore, because I have very publicly proclaimed my love for this sheet mask. It's wonderful in so many ways: comes in two pieces to ensure a great fit, feels cooling the second it hits the skin, leaves my face feeling hydrated and plump and amazing. I love this mask. Except,I'm not really into sheet masks right now. 

Between the environmental factor (so.much.packaging) and just a general shift in preference away from the sheet application, I'm setting this one aside in favor of the Hydro Boost Overnight Gel Mask. It provides the same benefits with way less packaging. And I just prefer the feeling of a light gel on my face rather than trying to keep a sheet mask from sliding around. Call me fickle, that's OK. But for now, I'm trading the sheet for the gel. 

There you have it: three products I've changed my mind about. What have you changed your mind about, lately? Let me know in the comments. 

​Oh, you might also like Products I've Used Up.