https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 12:29:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401964 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 16:53:01 +0000 Suz 2401964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, <b>Lisa</b> -- that makes sense re the lippie. I do wear lipstick when I wear red, but more berry tones (my usual) because many reds read quite harsh on me. Though I do use that Clinique Black Honey which can read red on me (dark red, I guess)....or as something else if I layer it. I mostly only wear that at night because it feels too strong on me in daytime.&nbsp;</p> <p>My mother used to wear a red -- maybe an old Revlon? -- and she looked great in it, so if I experiment some more I am likely to find "my" red. I agree, a soft gloss is the way to go at first, for sure.&nbsp;</p> <p>If you find the *right* reds for you (in clothes or makeup) one of the interesting things is that they can work with your hair whether it is blonde or reddish -- I think you have that warmth or "sunniness" to your complexion that makes it work with both hair colours.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401934 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:52:22 +0000 LJP 2401934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bijou - I need that t-shirt &nbsp; I actually didn't have any footwear fails either - a couple of fit issues on some sneakers but I was able to return those easily. &nbsp;I definitely didn't buy as many as I have in past years, and don't miss having more at all. &nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401925 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:56:51 +0000 Liz 2401925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much for naming the retailers whose offerings didn't work out well. I find it difficult sometimes to see through the marketing, photos, and brand status and figure out who sells quality clothes. I'm often shocked by how many purportedly higher-end retailers sell clothing that is consistently cheap-feeling, poorly constructed, and quick to show wear. I added up the dollar value of my 2025 "mistakes" this week and was just gut-punched by how much money I wasted. So it helps to hear about the problem children. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401918 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 11:51:51 +0000 Bijou 2401918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One thing I was happy about for 2025 was that I had no misses on footwear. I bought less and only practical items. Definitely a lesson to be learned there - less is more despite having a t-shirt to the contrary! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401916 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 07:57:48 +0000 Sal 2401916@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting Lisa. I haven’t tried these make up brands although Jones Road keeps coming up in my socials ads.</p> <p>You do well with interesting footwear and scarves. I think accessorising well is one of your strengths. You find interesting jewelry, shoes, and nail colours. </p> <p>I keep wanting to add more red and not doing so. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401909 Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:07:21 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2401909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like Merit blush and eyeshadow and Makeup by Mario blush. The Jones Road, I like the tinted moisturizer and cream eyeshadow, but I find miracle balm to be meh in texture and color and excessive shininess.</p> <p>I buy from Zara when I’m in Spain, but never in stores, because the selection is limited and always looks like people have been flinging it around. But there, it’s cheap as chips, delivers in 2 days, and most importantly, if there’s a particular kind of thing I want (say, a fuchsia layering tank, or a lace hemmed long sleeve tee) I will often look there. I don’t get drawn into any of their fancier pieces because the tailoring isn’t there even when the trends are.</p> <p>It sounds like your red slingbacks and triangle scarf were the energy boost purchases of the year, along with the lipstick. Show? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401698 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:40:40 +0000 Dee 2401698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Always interesting to see what others found worked for them or not.</p> <p>I did visit several of the stores this year that you've mentioned. I kind of feel like a bit of an imposter in Aritizia, I'm not their target audience and I find their colour schemes a bit limiting and there's questionable quality for their prices.<br /> I tried the Gap a few times, I had bought my burgundy cords there last year which I love, but again quality, style and price points weren't appealing to me.<br /> Zara and H&amp;M left me flat. Quality seems to be getting worse with each passing year. Stores are often a mishmash mess too.</p> <p>Simons is still my favourite place to shop. Its quality isn't quite where it once was but it still offers a nice variety of designer and stylish house brands with pricing more in line with the quality they offer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401696 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:22:37 +0000 LJP 2401696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz - I knew you'd appreciate the love for red! &nbsp;I find that both cool and warmer reds work. &nbsp;I have never worn red lipstick in my life, until recently. A soft glossy balm is a good way to start. &nbsp;I also think red lipstick formula has come a long way and no longer seems to bleed into lines around my lip. &nbsp;A MAC lipstick I picked up last month has been perfect! &nbsp;A bit of liner too, for dimension . &nbsp;I can't *not* wear &nbsp;red lip colour (either gloss or lipstick ) when wearing a red top as it looks unbalanced to my eye - and I appear too washed out without it. &nbsp;But your striking hair colour might provide that balance in lieu of using makeup. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401680 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 10:40:47 +0000 Minaminu 2401680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like you had a really successful styling year overall! Good riddance to those beauty products that didn't work out – hopefully 2026 brings you some real gems to replace them.<div>I totally relate to your Zara comments, this brand is often inconsistent in fit and quality, just aren't worth the effort anymore. I never seem to find pieces there that hold up well either, so I've pretty much given up on them too.&nbsp;I too wonder who their target customer actually is!</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401669 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:54:12 +0000 slim cat 2401669@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting read. I stopped shopping at GAP and BR except for belts and a bit of undies ( GAP on line ). Many places still feel strange for me - like Zara, H&amp;M, or Aritzia. I may need to visit them in 2026 to see "up and close" .<br />Still shop a bit Marshall's or Macy's . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401665 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 05:37:25 +0000 Suz 2401665@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OOOOH, I am so excited you have joined the Red is Best team!! Red is fabulous. It does draw attention and you have to accept that....at first. But I find the more I wear it the more it feels natural and thus the attention it garners is of a type I can handle.&nbsp;</p> <p>Do you favour a true red, an orange red, or a blue red? Or all?&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't wear red lipstick but would love to try one someday. If I could find the right shade.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401656 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 03:16:36 +0000 Bonnie 2401656@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting report. I like my Gap Stride high rise wide leg jeans and now have two pair. I only have three puffers from Aritzia and they are great. I have sweaters from BR that I love but they are several years old. Agree that the pricing is outrageous and only buy on sale.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401654 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 03:04:56 +0000 LJP 2401654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sarah - what on earth was your Jones Road order doing on a plane in China ?? They ship out of the US ! My orders have wacky tracking ( cross border so it’s par for the course ) but I’ve received 4-5 of them within a week . </p> <p>I’ve tried the Salt deodorant and body wash and like them both . Body wash was too $$ to buy again though . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401643 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:17:17 +0000 SarahD8 2401643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting intel here!</p> <p>I will be the spanner and say that I distinctly did *not* have a good experience with <b>Jones Road</b>. Placed an order, the tracking was a mess (for a solid two weeks it merely said that the order was loaded onto a plane in China and I figured it was lost, then movements were updated but backdated by 10 days or so), package never showed up, multiple attempts to contact the company went unanswered. No thanks! I like <b>Merit</b>'s flush balm and eyebrow stuff that comes in a mascara-type tube but find their concealer stick goes cakey on me within an hour or so. I'm interested in trying <b>Salt New York</b>.</p> <p>For a long time <b>Gap</b> was pretty much the only place where I bought clothes at retail -- got lots of basics there. They've fallen off my radar in recent years but maybe I will follow <b></b>Gen Z<b></b> back!&nbsp;</p> <p>Fantastic that you have such a reliable stable of brands for footwear. I know you said boring but that is no small thing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401641 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:09:47 +0000 LJP 2401641@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have , and still wear, <b>dress pants</b> from <b>Aritzia </b> that are now 7-8 years old. Both are in their trademarked <b>"crepette" fabric.</b>  If I ever need to buy another serious cold-weather puffer, it'll be a Superpuff for sure. DD wears one and it's gorgeous!    They also have <b>really good crew/athletic socks</b>, which is what all girls DD's age wear to the gym - so I jumped on that bandwagon and love them. Their <b>fleece is also outstanding.  </p> <p></b>And Jaime , I'll go shopping with you anytime !  Where will he be going to school ?  <b><br /> </b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401638 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:53:28 +0000 Angie 2401638@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the synopsis,<b> LJP</b>! I enjoyed it. Glad you found winners!&nbsp;</p> <p>Soooo with you and <b>Suz</b> on<b> BR</b>! You both did splendidly with them this year! Love the tops you got! I had a great year with them too. First time since they changed their look five years ago - &nbsp;because they included COLOURS. Their prices in the US are manageable when they have good sales - which is quite often. &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Aritizia</b> is an interesting shopping experience. It is an odd mix of merchandise, which makes me not their target audience! There are excellent puffers and corporate jackets. Beautiful dressy wool coats! &nbsp;Their dressy pants can be awesome too! The rest is hit or miss, IMO.&nbsp;</p> <p>As for <b>Zara</b>, quality is very inconsistent. My experiences with the brand are much like that of&nbsp;<b>Suz </b>and <b>Irina</b>.&nbsp;</p> <p>As for the Gap - it's become a target store for Gen Z! At least, it is in Seattle. <b>Helena </b>and I think similarly.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401637 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:50:45 +0000 Jaime 2401637@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting. I am always curious to see how brands shopped retail compare to what I see second hand. Zara, for example, is probably the biggest bread and butter at the thrift stores and their pieces do hold up fairly well. Is it because they aren't worn or heavily plastic? Perhaps, but H&amp;M looks shoddier.<br />I like Merit too although I only have their foundation stick. (Maybe I should do a skincare end of the year because that is where I experiment the most.)<br />I would love to go into a well merchandized Aritizia. My nephew is planning to attend university in Canada so maybe we can meet there next year . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401630 Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:14:17 +0000 Helena 2401630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great round up Lisa! I'm an Aritzia convery although I haven't got a ton from there. They definitely have some great stuff. DD has some great pieces too. And I LOVE my super puff!</p> <p>Apparently the Gen Z's are going back to Gap, which they would not have touched with a ten foot pole last year (at least in my market research group ) What goes around ...? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401628 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 22:56:11 +0000 LJP 2401628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting to compare experiences , isn’t it ? I don’t think I’ve ever paid full price for anything from BR because the prices are indeed outrageous . But when on sale , it works for me . Today I wore a BR cashmere sweater I bought last winter ( probably end of season ) and never wore . It was head and shoulders above my Aritzia cashmeres in softness and appearance . And about 1/2 the price . </p> <p>I just don’t get Zara I guess . I walk around the store and don’t find anything that makes sense for me . I do like their footwear but am in between sizes there so it just doesn’t work . And believe me I’ve tried , lol. I think our local store doesn’t stock the more interesting pieces ? A coworker my age wears nothing but Zara and it works for her - tall , very thin and angular build . I’m kinda the opposite ;)</p> <p>And with regard to Aritzia , we have a giant new -concept store here that stocks everything . It’s gorgeous .</p> <p>Suz - not sure Le Bon Shoppe is quite your look - it's very casual.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401627 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 22:14:55 +0000 Suz 2401627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting report, <b>Lisa</b>! I'm 100% with you on one of these...pretty much with you on another, and completely the opposite on still another!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>With you on BR</b>!&nbsp; I think they have vastly upped their game in the last year, both in terms of style quotient <b>and</b> quality. You got some <b>great</b> items from them in summer. I admired them enormously and in fact your outfits featuring some of the tops were what got me looking at BR again, after about five years of complete disappointment with their offerings. (I bought from them even in those years, but until last fall, when I did acquire a few winners, I didn't love most of what I got -- it was desperation shopping).&nbsp;</p> <p>Anyway&nbsp; I didn't end up buying anything myself in spring/ summer, but I made up for it in the fall/ winter with my purchases. As <b>Irina </b>notes, their regular prices are nuts -- but who buys regular price from them? I always wait for the 40% off sale, at minimum. And often get a better deal than that. The items on sale are, I think, reasonably priced or at least affordable to me.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Aritzia </b>-- I agree it can be hit and miss, but the hits are big. I rely on the packable puffers. I like some of their coats and their trousers, though I don't currently own any besides said packable puffer. I don't currently own much else from them, either, but I do continue to look and appreciate some of the styles. The colours in store often underwhelm me; there is always more online. I just ordered two sale hats in cashmere in brights. Hoping they work.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Zara </b>-- I'm their target audience. :)&nbsp; I still buy a lot there, and love them. Quick delivery, easy returns, made in Europe, mostly. And while sizing is inconsistent, it can work well for me, depending on the cuts. True, the quality varies enormously. But some of the oldest items in my closet are from Zara. So I order at will and send back a ton and keep the keepers. Like <b>Irina</b>, I sometimes even find footwear there. I also find styling ideas there from time to time. And a sense of where things are heading.&nbsp;</p> <p>I do not know Le Bon Shoppe. Off to explore!&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401625 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 21:55:20 +0000 Irina 2401625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting, Lisa, my experience with some of the same brands is completely opposite of yours But I also love Merit.&nbsp;<div><br />Banana Republic - returned all but one pair of pants. It’s not my style but I still check some classic items. Find their pricing outrageous - a pair of very average loafers at $330 Can. Seriously? Same with a lot of their inventory - very average fabrics and knits with upscale prices.&nbsp;<br />Zara is Zara, quality is lacking but fashion forward, although very boho. Once in a while I find inexpensive shoes that become a workhorse. This time I also bought denim wide leg trousers.&nbsp;</div><div>I bought my first cashmere sweater from Aritzia and your comments are concerning. &nbsp;I love their cashmere hats and have a handful &nbsp; So, one can hope…</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/2025-hits-and-misses-beauty-hair-and-clothing#post-2401622 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 20:22:42 +0000 LJP 2401622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Best brands - beauty /hair</b> : &nbsp;<b>Merit, Makeup by Mario, Kevin Murphy . </b>&nbsp;A 4th brand that I like but have found hit and miss is <b>Jones Road.</b> Their customer service is excellent though and gave me a full refund months later on a couple of products I bought and was not satisfied with.</p> <p><b>Disappointments- beauty/hair : Routine</b> (hair) . Promised growth ( I should know better ) and strength and the products (shampoo, conditioner, and supplements) were unremarkable and ineffective. &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Best brands- clothing</b> : &nbsp;<b>Le Bon Shoppe, Banana Republic.</b> &nbsp;Consistent quality , design and service. &nbsp;A hit-and-miss brand/store &nbsp;that I still love (I'm a sucker for merchandising ) is <b>Aritizia</b>. &nbsp;My 2 $$$ cashmere sweaters new last winter now look like s**t, even with depilling , and fit seems to still be all over the place. &nbsp;I do like my new Lodge pants, and wool/cash blend red sweater, and am wearing my cashmere triangle bandana every day. No pilling at all. &nbsp;Lucky to have a store here that takes online returns, and shipping is SUPER fast. &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Disappointments - clothing : &nbsp;Spanx </b>- returned exactly half of what was purchased (2 of 4 pieces) .Fit is very inconsistent . &nbsp;Refund was VERY slow , and only happened when I took action . &nbsp;Not sure I will ever order again , to be honest. Too risky. &nbsp;<b>Gap </b>- nothing interesting this past year (not sure who their target customer is now, but it sure isn't me) , now that it's online only here , and the few pieces I did order were not up to quality standard and were returned. &nbsp;<b>Zara</b> - quality isn't there, and the store here is merchandised strangely. &nbsp;Fit is very inconsistent and I"ve decided it's not worth my time to visit or even include in online searches. &nbsp;Again , I am probably not their target customer. Curious who is , though. &nbsp;</p> <p>My footwear purchases were not very interesting and not worth reporting. &nbsp;<b>Simons own label</b> for loafers, <b>Miz Mooz </b>combat boots,<b> MK </b>loafers from a discounter, <b>Birkenstock</b> clogs . &nbsp;There was &nbsp;more but nothing that stood out brand-wise. &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Hit colour addition for the year : red ! </b>I picked up several new items , among them sneakers , patent Ganni knock off sling backs , a cashmere blend sweater , linen knit tank , cotton oversize sweater, and the best red lip gloss and lipstick. I get compliments each and every time I wear red at work and have grown comfortable in this colour for the first time in decades . I wear a red heavy-duty North Face parka on bitterly cold public transit days and couldn’t live without it . </p> <p>Thanks for reading ! &nbsp; </p>