Not Another Glossier Review (Ok, Sorry, Yes It Is)
Ask any millennial girl on the street if she knows what Glossier is and she’ll probably say yes, and the sky is blue. But in all seriousness, Glossier has quickly become a cult beauty favorite –the next avocado toast if you will. Famed for its millennial pink hues and its oh-so-aesthetically-pleasing packaging, Glossier has infiltrated the hearts, makeup vanities and bathroom cabinets of our generation. But do the products live up to the hype? Curiosity got the better of me and I had to see for myself.
Here’s my honest review of the items I’ve tried:
Boy Brow ($16)
Boy Brow is probably Glossier’s most idolized, best-selling product. People rave about its ability to tint and groom unruly brows to perfection. It’s a creamy wax formula that boasts a soft, flexible hold and comes in four different shades: blond, brown, black and clear.
So, what’s the verdict? I love it. It takes all of 2 minutes for me to comb this magic stuff through my brows and I immediately feel pulled together and ready for the day. I’m not a fan of the “painted-on” brow look, and this creates the most natural, full-looking brows. It also has incredible staying power. I’ve been caught in a surprise rainstorm and my eyeliner was running halfway down my face, but my brows looked untouched. If there’s any Glossier product you should check out, this would be it. The only drawback: it comes in a tiny tube, so you don’t get a ton of product. I’m very light-handed with my makeup and it typically takes me a long time to get through a tube of anything. But I’m running low on my Boy Brow and I bought it just a couple months ago.
Would I repurchase? Hell yes.
Milky Jelly Cleanser (Full-size $18, Mini $9)
I’d heard a lot about this cleanser. And I must admit, part of the allure was just the name: “Milky Jelly” – doesn’t that sound like a luxurious milk bath you’d take in spa? Not that I’ve ever had one, but not the point. Glossier advertises this as a daily face wash that you can “use on dry skin to dissolve away makeup and grime or on wet skin as you start your day.” The pH-balanced, creamy gel formula is made with a blend of five skin conditioners and its cleansing power comes from the same gentle cleaning agents found in contact lens solution, so it won’t sting your eyes.
I really wanted to love this cleanser. I bought the entire Glossier Phase 1 Set (comes with the Milky Jelly Cleanser, Priming Moisturizer and The Balm Dot Com) mostly just to try this product. But I’m sorry to say I was a little disappointed. It does a nice job cleansing the skin in the mornings when you’re bare-faced. But it fails as a makeup remover. And I need something that can effectively do both. The smell is a lovely rose fragrance that’s very pleasant and the five skin conditioners do feel luxuriously soft on the skin, but this won’t be able to fully remove waterproof or even regular mascara. I usually have to go in with a cotton pad and my Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water to take off the remnants of my eye makeup. If you’re only looking for a cleanser and not a makeup remover, then this may work for you, but unfortunately, I’ll be looking to replace this guy. I’ve been investigating more cruelty free, organic, all-natural skincare products and have my eye on the Naturopathica Sweet Lupine Makeup Remover & Cleansing Cream ($36). Let me know if any of you have tried it before!
Would I repurchase? Probably not.
Mint Balm Dotcom ($12)
Is it overpriced? Yes, $12 for what is essentially a lip balm is a little steep, but this stuff is lovely. It does wonders for my chapped lips and is considerably long-lasting. Plus, it can also be used in variety of ways. Beyond using it as a lip balm, you can lather it on to your cuticles or dry patches of skin for instant hydration. Ingredients include castor seed oil, beeswax, cupuacu fruit extract and rice bran and rosemary leaf extracts. The mint flavor is nice and refreshing and perfect to apply first thing in the morning, throughout the day and just before bedtime.
Would I repurchase? Yes! I want to try out Rose next which is supposed to give a barely-there pink tint.
Priming Moisturizer ($22)
Glossier’s Priming Moisturizer does a decent job, but doesn’t quite give me the same amount of moisture that my normal Innisfree Green Tea Seed Cream does (that stuff is my holy grail - it’s Korean skincare, of course it’s incredible - and I’ll be going back to it once I finish this tube of Glossier Priming Moisturizer). I’m also a little turned off by the Priming Moisturizer’s scent. It almost smells sterile – like a hospital room, if that makes sense.
Would I repurchase? Nope.
Generation G Lipstick in Jam, Cake & Zip ($18)
This was the very first Glossier product that I ever tried. My best friend got me the Generation G Lipstick in Jam for my birthday. I put it on right then and there – yes, in the dimly-lit bathroom of the piano bar that we went to – and fell in love with the unique, deep berry color. It looks scary in the tube, but actually sheers out quite a bit when applied to the lips. And that is what’s so magical about the Generation G Lipsticks. They’re just so natural-looking! It recreates the look you get when you apply a fresh coat of lipstick and then dab it with a piece of tissue paper. Glossier calls it “diffused, sheer matte goodness” and I couldn’t agree more. I liked the formula so much, I also picked it up in Cake, a subtle peachy nude that serves as a good “my-lips-but-better” shade, and Zip, a bright poppy red that’s become my go-to for the occasional night out.
One thing to note: a lot of the reviews on Glossier’s website complain about the flimsy packaging. Some people have dropped it and reported that the tube broke immediately and was no longer useable. I haven’t experienced anything like this yet – knock on wood – but just something to be aware of.
Would I repurchase? Absolutely. Next on my list is Like (a light powdery pink) and Leo (a warm cocoa brown).
I’d love to know – which Glossier products have you tried? Do you have any other recommendations?