Fling or Fave? How I Feel Now About the New Products I Reviewed This Year

You've been there: You try that new buzzy cream for the first time, and it seems to just melt into your skin and make your foundation glide on like butta. HG for life, you declare, and buy five more jars. And then … a month or two passes, and you’re like, hmm, it’s actually starting to pill with my favorite sheet mask. And why do I look a bit greasy by midday? And, uh, was that scent always so strong? Yeah, welcome to the skincare fling: When that new skincare product that seemed so amazing at first becomes … not so much. Editor Sheryll rates the new products she’s reviewed over the last year and declares fling or fave.

I review a lot of products, and overall, I’m pleased with the vast majority of them. But after that initial honeymoon period wears off (we all know the one, when we get a new product, and it’s all roses and champagne), do I still feel the same way about some of my most hyped products? Read more to find out which products were a fling or fave!

Blanc and Eclare Serein Hydrating Mist 

I have about 10 different mists in my collection, and this is the only one that is empty, so that should tell you something. I am actually sad that it’s gone! I used it literally all the time — after washing my face at the gym, after washing my face at night, between each step in my daytime routine to maintain hydration. I even used it to set my makeup. And I REALLY loved the scent. It smelled like a fancy day spa, so that was a big, big mood.

 

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A post shared by BLANC & ECLARE (@blancandeclare_official) on Jul 22, 2019 at 2:13am PDT

Rating: FAVE

Missha Glow Skin Balm

I sang the praises of this balm a few months ago, and I am still in love. I actually have been rationing it because I don’t want it to run out! I will say that during the few days in October when the weather reached 95+ degrees (thanks global warming), this balm gave me more of an oily look instead of a glowy look, but of course a big part of that is the weather. Now that fall is finally here, I use it daily to give me a dewy, hydrated base for makeup.

 

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A post shared by Be Beau - Cosmetic Since 2014 (@bebeauvn) on May 5, 2019 at 7:08am PDT

Rating: FAVE

Missha Artemisia Treatment Essence

I used this product for about a month to review it, and then kind of forgot about it as I have so many other essences. I picked it back up a few weeks ago and fell in love all over again. I love the scent — it reminds me of the herbal scent at jjimjilbangs. I love to use it after a peel or an exfoliating toner. It instantly soothes my skin and takes away any residual redness. We have to stan!

 

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A post shared by Missha US Official💖 (@misshaus) on Oct 19, 2019 at 10:23am PDT

Rating: FAVE

COSRX Hydrium Green Tea Aqua Soothing Gel Cream

Ya know, when I first tried this cream I was all about it. It ticks all the boxes for me for a good, lightweight gel cream. It doesn’t leave an oily finish. It cools and soothes the skin. But honestly, it was kind of basic. After my initial testing period, I think I used it for another few weeks, and it’s now been overshadowed by my other creams. Partially, yes, because the weather has changed, but also, I have realized that my skin is changing, and I think my skin is actually drier than I originally thought. I always end up layering another cream on top for my skin to feel moisturized. So, all in all, good for the summer, not so much for other times.

 

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A post shared by COSRX Official (@cosrx) on Sep 5, 2019 at 11:24pm PDT

Rating: FLING

Missha Bee Pollen Renew Treatment

I did not have high expectations for this going in, but I loved it and I STILL love it. It’s almost empty, and I am trés sad about it. My only caveat is that it kind of stings my eyes when I spray it, but otherwise, this is still a mainstay in my daily routine. I basically replaced the Blanc & Eclare mist with this one, but because this is an actual essence in mist form, it actually has more good-for-your-skin ingredients.

Rating: FAVE

What new products have you tried this past year, and did they end up being a fling or fave? Let me know in the comments!