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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The Wednesday Question


I don't normally ask questions that have a negative tone (I'd much rather hear about brands and products you LOVE) but I thought it might be insightful to ask a different type of question this week:

In your opinion, what drugstore beauty brand is in need of a complete makeover?

In my humble opinion, I think Almay needs to step out of the shadows of its older sister Revlon and really create its own identity. I also think Almay could use a packaging makeover with sleeker, more modern packaging as well. I was a huge fan of Almay in the 90s and I'd like to see this brand bring us more innovative products, with slightly lower price-points. What do you think?
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32 comments

  1. I kinda feel like NYC needs makeup help! I mean, seems like everything I buy from them(with the exception of Sparkle Eye Dust and Blushable Cream Stick) are pathetic. There eyeliners are soooo waxy, and their shadows are hardly pigmented.... they also need better shelf appeal. I think there brushes look like ther could lose all of their brissels any second! I also noticed alot of broken eyeliner points and shattered blushes from them. Thoughts??

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  2. I agree with you on Almay. They're in most need. None of the products jump out at me, even if I spot something I've seen get favorably reviewed.

    I also think Neutrogena's cosmetics need a revamping. The foundation is wonderful, but the rest of it needs some TLC too.

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  3. I immediately thought of Almay when I saw this. I know from talking to the beauty ladies at some of my favourite drug stores that they just don't move as much Almay product as they used to. I think they have some great products but their packaging & promotion needs a bit of a re-vamp. Great question!

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  4. This is a hard one.. I will have to say Rimmel. I dont know what it is about that make-up line that doesnt really "excite" me. I like their lasting finish foundation and lipsticks.. But their shadows and blushes dont really grab me. I dont like the packaging and there isnt enough of a selection I feel. Does anyone agree with me? Or am I being out of line? I agree with Aly7 on the NYC line too. It deff. needs a make over.

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  5. Oh I didnt even think of Almay. I totally agree with you ladies on that one!! Almay is stuck in the past it seems for sure!! I never buy their stuff. I feel it is over priced too!

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  6. Hmm, i would say Rimmel but I think it's just because I don't really like their products. But I agree, Almay is really outdated. I guess they appeal to a certain demographic, but I think they get lost amongst all the other drugstore brands.

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  7. Almay is what also came to my mind. The one thing that they did wonderfully was their double ended eye pencils! Then they did away with them. Also I think I think Cover girl could use a little update in their colors.

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  8. I have to agree with Almay as well. I love a lot of their products, but the packaging is SO bulky!

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  9. I agree with you on Almay. They need to step off of all the white packaging. But I'm going to have to go with Neutrogena. I've always seen them as the drugstore's answer to Clinique. They have good quality products and genuinely be based in the pursuit of healthy skin. But they always fall short somehow with their pigments and cosmetics. I think that some sleek packaging could help them out a lot.

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  10. I agree- Almay needs to step up their packaging and products- not good quality compared to other brands!! Also I have to kind of say NYC- they do have some great products but others are BAD! Plus packaging is meh.

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  11. Oh and Neutrogena too- very generic and boring packaging IMO :)

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  12. I so agree with you that Almay is in desperate need of a makeover. I don't even notice the brand in stores most of the time. Their products lack excitement.

    Covergirl should continue revamping their brand as I like some of their new offerings (the new lip balms, etc). Their eyeshadows still need some work though.

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  13. Yes I agree that Almay is definitely in the need of a new makeover. I don't even bother to look at Almay products anymore unless its on clearance.

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  14. My first thought was Almay. I know some people like their foundations, but nothing has every worked for me. I have to agree that Rimmel and NYC are pretty bad too.

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  15. I'd have to say NYC apart from the Sunny bronzer,new cream blushes and 'HD' powder the brand has nothing going for it.

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  16. Almay. I agree with everyone. Back when I was a tween Almay was sold at JC Penney. Does anyone remember that? I went to their counter and got a fun Teal eyeliner.

    Today I don't even notice them in the store. They need slick packaging, lower prices and more colorful products. I never understand why products for sensistive skin have to be bland. We want fun fun stuff too.

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  17. Everything, LOL! I'm constantly dazzled by Asian ackaging... Plastic can be cute, too! And there's no reason we can't do it in America, right.

    I'd like to see something less plain from any brand, particularly top performers like WnW. I love their colors, but wouldn't it be nice if the containers were more decorative?

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  19. I agree with you on Almay. The only thing I bought from them is a mascara, and that was after a good review from an Asian beauty blog. (I ended up not liking it, so Almay will have no return purchases from me.) The brand seems exceedingly bland, I'm not really sure who they're marketing to, and it seems like they haven't come out with anything innovative lately.

    I'd add L'Oreal--this is just my personal opinion, and I know a lot of people would disagree. There are some things I like from them, such as the HiP eyeshadows, etc, but I've started to feel like their lip products are lagging in comparison to Revlon and Maybelline. L'Oreal products are often (slightly) more expensive, but the products aren't better. I used to like them a lot more years back; now I don't particularly feel anything about them.

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  20. Another vote for Almay. NYC, too, their presentation and [many/most of] their products could use an overhaul. Milani hasn't gotten a mention yet, but their giant gold packaging is pretty chintzy IMO, and it's definitely been the same for quite some time.... I know some people like it, though.

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  21. Neutrogena! I always think I want to try some of their products, but when I browse their products, nothing excites me. I would also agree with the comments everyone has submitted about Almay. They aren't very exciting either.

    On a positive note: I'm really happy with all the changes Wet n Wild has made! Revlon has also been an exciting brand recently too!

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  22. I'd go with NYC. They seem to be one of the most affordable brands, yet nothing ever excites me. I think it's a combination of the packaging and the product. A lot of the packaging just looks dated and cheap. I also think the quality of their shadows and a few other things is very poor. I think since other brands have stepped up their game they really need to!

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  23. I can agree with Almay. I don't really even notice them, so they could use something more eyecatching to draw in customers. I also agree about NYC needing some new packaging and reformulating. I love some of their products, like nail polish. It's so affordable, and they have some great colors. I also love their new Showtime volumizing mascara. It's really great for an everyday mascara. But the rest of it could use some work. I'd like to see them step it up like Wet N Wild has been.

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  24. Hi everyone!

    I really adore a lot of the drugstore brands but in some areas they are so disappointing!

    Milani- IMHO I think their packaging is so hmmm...haha.
    Covergirl- They need to incorporate yellow toned foundations into their line. I really like the Natureluxe one but literally about 5 colors I've tried made me look gray because they're so pink or neutral based. There are many women who need yellow based foundations Covergirl! LOL
    L'Oreal-The lipsticks need work. They have scents, not very appealing!
    Revlon-Also needs more yellow toned foundations, not neutral with a drop of yellow added, but true yellow based foundations!

    I actually really like Neutrogena cosmetics. I don't need fancy packaging, plain and white etc. is fine with me!

    Great question!

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  25. Almay does definetly need to be more appealing, and I think Loreal could step it up a notch. I like their voluminous mascara but id like to see some new packaging.
    @Brianna im glad you said you like the Showtime mascara ive really been wanting to try it. Now i think i might. Thanks. But i think NYC does have some good prducts for their price and some bad ones but i find that in just about any line.

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  26. Iman makeup. Have they ever changed their packaging or added new colors???

    And Jessica nail products. Same ol' boring packaging.

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  27. Milani. I actually have NEVER even looked for their products at my drugstore because seeing pictures online totally bored me to death. Don't get me wrong, I read all the great reviews and I'm sure their products are great, but I can't get past the ugly packaging.

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  28. I have to vote for Rimmel, only because they were an awesome brand in Japan when I lived over there, but their US offerings are bland. I love the lasting pro nail polish bottles and formula, but there are only a couple of exciting colors. And the shadow selection is seriously lagging behind the Japanese market, which has a lot of fun pop out colors with great shimmers/sparkles. I want improvement from them because I know it would be easy for them to do it.

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  29. you know, girls I dont anything except the Line Smoothing Concealer from Almay. It is AMAZING!! Therefore, my vote is still for NYC. I also think that Rimmel could step it up a notch too. I only have a Glam Eyes Shadow in Glam Ice which I really like, but nothing else appeals to me. I always think "Okay! I am going to get something rimmel and see how it is! i will like it!" then I go to the store and just....pass. I understand what people have been saying abput Milani. I have never tried it, and probably never will. The only thing I am interested in is the HP Advanced Lip Color. Surprising, since it is the only thing in the whole line with sleek, black packaging. LOL. On a high note, I have really been loving Covergirl lately. I have Aquasmoothers tinted moisturizer, Natureluxe Gloss Balm, Sheerly Nudes Quad, and a few other well -liked things. I also think that Maybelline needs to step it up! They try to make their products "high end" but it just looks cheap. I have to agree with the whole Loreal thing too. They are affilated with lancome, so they try to make it "sephora worthy" and t just DOESNT WORK! Sorry for the insanely long comment! LOL

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  30. I'm jumpin' on the Almay bandwagon, too.

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  31. Iman, Black Radiance, NYC, L'Oreal lipsticks, etc.

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