Yet another first-world problem (cosmetic containers) - YouLookFab Forum

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Yet another first-world problem (cosmetic containers)

Anonymous

Is anyone else as irritated as I am with cosmetic containers that break after you've used the product a dozen times? It seems to happen with the expensive brands as often as the grocery-store variety. I'm not bashing them around in my bag; they live on my bathroom counter. They're usually broken before I've used even half of them. I can understand that the manufacturers don't want to make something industrial-strength for something that's not going to be reused, but couldn't they come up with something that lasts a bit longer? They are shoddy, shoddy, shoddy!

OK, end of rant, thanks for reading. I had to get that out of my system so I could get on with my day.

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree. I have two blushes that never leave my dressing table, and the cover is broken off of both of them. I’m annoyed that on every single Rimmel eyebrow pencil I buy, the brush part breaks off before the pencil wears out. I like the product otherwise, but I always have to make sure I have an extra dedicated eyebrow brush at hand.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

In my never-ending quest for more sustainable makeup brands, I started using Elate Cosmetics recently. They come in refillable bamboo compacts. LOVE!

Sal

Veteran

Yes makeup is wasteful..... I seem to break eyeliner wonders or be unable to sharpen lip liners. And I have never finished a nail polish! I am not adding any more makeup at the moment except for replacements as I have decided I don’t need much variety.

I have been adding skincare though....,

Style Fan

Veteran

That certainly would be irritating. I have noticed that eyeliner pencils are impossible to sharpen. I no longer buy them. I buy very little make up these days. I only replace mascara every 2 to 3 months.

Anonymous

I don't have issues with containers, but do with eyeshadows themselves breaking. Ditto to eyeliner pencils-too hard or too soft-though just got a Cover Girl one I like so far (since they went Leaping Bunny). Brushes will occasionally break off too- or shed a lot when washed.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I often drop my compacts into the sink by accident, and the plastic breaks or the makeup powder itself shatters and gets everywhere. Another peeve: gel liners that dry out after only a week or two.

Gigi

Veteran

I haven't had this problem with cosmetic containers (though I haven't been shopping for makeup recently), but I've had it with my retinol cream. After a couple of weeks of use, the pump broke. I called the salon where I bought it, and they said to bring it in for an exchange. They said that a lot of people had been complaining.

It ticks me off, because you can guess that the consumer will be the one eventually to have to foot the bill for all the wasted product. I'm guessing prices will go up in the near future to pay for all the defective pumps.

ophelia

Veteran

Yes, and it makes me feel like I've wasted my money. I've found cheap drugstore brands to be the worst offenders--plastic lipstick tops that crack and won't stay on, compacts that crack or won't close. And Revlon eyeliners that dry out in a month or so.
Suntiger, so CG is no longer selling in China????

RobinF

Veteran

I don't use a lot of makeup but I have issues with hair product containers, either the pump stops working or they clog up. Very aggravating.

Regarding eyeliners, lately I have switched to a powder that I put on with a small brush - love it and no worries about sharpening!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The pumps on hair products that stop working. ANNOYING.

Anonymous

My inner conspiracy theorist thinks that the manufacturers do this on purpose to make us toss out the product and buy a new one. Or am I being overly suspicious? :). Probably they're just cheaping out to keep the price competitive.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Xtabay, I’ve had the same thought. Planned obsolescence.

kkards

Veteran

yes...i've walked away from some brands because the packaging didn't hold up! annoying

JuniperGreen

Veteran

Twice in a row I've had the spoolies on the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz break off... I've emailed them about this and they describe it as a "known issue." It's not like I'm using it to detangle hair! I see it frequently mentioned in online beauty communities, too. For over 20 bucks, you think they'd have a little more lasting power!

Anonymous

I can't believe the timing on this, but the lid on my Charlotte Tilbury blush just now broke off the hinges. I've used it maybe 15 times. Spooky!

Planned obsolescence indeed, Janet.

Sal

Veteran

Aside from foundation and maybe the odd eyeliner and mascara I don’t think I have ever used up a cosmetic item. I always break it, lose it, get tired of it, or I consider it too old. Or just don’t like it.....

I can see that it can get a hard time in bags and dropped - but all the same it is pretty disappointing.