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~ Updated Dec 23rd 2020 ~
A place to talk about beauty news... anything that doesn't have a specific thread. For upcoming releases, product updates and brand threads see the links below.
Thanks to everyone who contributes to this thread!
UPCOMING RELEASES
2021 RELEASES THREAD
https://community.sephora.com/t5/Beauty-Confidential/2021-PRODUCT-RELEASES-THREAD/m-p/5692691
FALL-WINTER & HOLIDAY RELEASES
FOUND IN THE WILD THREAD
(links to new products for purchase at Sephora)
https://community.sephora.com/t5/Trending-Now/FOUND-IN-THE-WILD-THREAD/m-p/5157361
CANADIAN PRODUCT THREAD
(links to new products for purchase at Sephora)
https://community.sephora.com/t5/Oh-Canada/What-s-New-On-The-Site-Today-Canada/td-p/2164948
BRAND THREADS
Old Beauty News Thread
@CookieGirl1 My concern about the push for "clean" products is that it may weaken formulas. I know this isn't necessarily the case, but when I hear "clean" I think "natural." And when I think "natural" I think "all natural." And when I think "all natural," I think of products that pack less of a punch. I like to use products with "chemicals" in them b/c that's what works. When I try to be more logical, I think about how preservatives have been demonized, while I actually don't mind them because I appreciate that they keep my products lasting longer. This keeps them in shape for items I hoard, and makes my dollar go further. I'm also reminded of how other ingredients got a bad rap, like how many people jumped on the "no cones" bandwagon for hair care. Meanwhile, many others like (and need!) silicones. I would die if silicone hair serums were few and far between, or ceased to exist. Basically, I like many of my products just fine and I'd hate that the "clean" push would change or eliminate them. I'm wondering if there are more people out there like me, and if there is possibly a silent majority.
I've also become frustrated with "clean" items as so many of them contain irritants!
As a consumer, what I find most concerning is the lack of transparency about concentrations of active ingredients. How often do we not know how much retinol or AHA or BHA is really in a product? Rather than a clean label, shouldn't we be demanding more knowledge about ingredients that are in a product? I feel like the "clean" label is often more focused on what a product is without. But what's inside a bottle should be equally as important. I feel like you can't have one and not the other; it's like checks and balances.
What I'd like to see from brands are more options - like, a fragrance-free option or an alcohol-free option. Too many items are destroyed by these ingredients, IMHO. I'd also like to know what's going on *before* an item is reformulated or discontinued. I think it's so heartless of companies to leave consumers in the dark.
Another thought: the way I read this article, it seemed like Sephora was pushing the brands to comply. On the one hand, you could interpret this as Sephora pushing high standards. But on the other hand, you could interpret this as Sephora dictating what sorts of formulas brands should make. I think this may be an uneven distribution of power. Sephora is one big retailer pushing hundreds of brand to formulate a certain way.
I agree with you so much. The ‘no parabens’ bandwagon particularly drives me nuts. They’ve been used in personal care products for years. They are even in medications that many people actually have to ingest or they’d die. I’d prefer that my makeup and skincare products not turn rancid within months since they have nothing to prevent bacteria from growing in them. I’m much more concerned about pesticides and other nasty chemicals in our food and water. I don’t want my mascara to be a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow like crazy in and give me a serious eye infection. I don’t want to have to replace it monthly -insert eye roll- Sometime it seems like that’s where it’s headed.
The huge push against sulfates is another one that bugs me. It helps products to cleanse more effectively. If anyone wants or needs to avoid them, that’s fine. But absolutely everything doesn’t need to be sulfate free. Same for silicones. They literally saved my hair in high school. Some people need them to have smooth hair.
I don’t really think that Sephora is pushing brands to do it though. Even brands that you’d buy at Walmart, like L’Oréal and Cover Girl, are jumping into it too. It’s just the latest beauty trend. Of course the companies that sell their products have to support them, kwim?
“I feel like the "clean" label is often more focused on what a product is without. But what's inside a bottle should be equally as important.”
This is such an excellent point, @greeneyedgirl107.
@greeneyedgirl107 You raise a really good point in Sephora and other mega-influential retailers having the power to enforce somewhat arbitrary rules about formulations based on the need to qualify as "clean." I can't help but wonder if this whole thing was a factor that led to the downfall of our beloved Bite???????? 😢
@pocketvenus @greeneyedgirl107 regarding Bite, that sounds very similar to what I was told from a SA not long ago. They are struggling to figure it out I guess. So sad. I miss them too!!
@Sunnysmom Sad but good to know! I seem to recall there was also a regular stream of people who had experienced allergic reactions to Bite products so maybe there was pressure from distributors to change the formula because of that too?
Oh that’s right @pocketvenus I do remember some folks having reactions. Yikes. Will be so interesting to see what they come up with. I hoarded so many backups I’m afraid they are have all turned by now. 😢
@Sunnysmom I feeeeeeel you!! It's so sad there's a limit to how long you can go when a cosmetic is reformulated ;_;
@Sunnysmom @pocketvenus I reacted to their old Agave formula made with lanolin, but never had an issue with the lipsticks. I’m not sure which ingredient caused the reaction for people in the lipsticks, since I’m fairly certain lanolin was only in the Agave products…
@alexasteph Yes, I'm also pretty sure the lipsticks were free of lanolin. The products with lanolin definitely seemed to bring up the most consistent issues for people but I seem to recall other products resulting in reactions? I did a quick google and found a reddit thread stating the almond oil may have been a problem for those with nut allergies
@pocketvenus Ah that would make sense! Yes thankfully I have no issues with nuts, they’re a staple in my diet! I’m like a squirrel hahaha.
@Sunnysmom No it was not! I haven’t tried their non-lanolin Agave products yet, but I’ve found other lip masks I enjoy do there’s no real need.
I didn’t have issues with Bite’s @alexasteph but have noticed I have had with others. Good to know on the lanolin!
@pocketvenus That's a very good point! And may serve to be a cautionary tale for other brands?
@CookieGirl1 I'm disappointed that Sephora's doubling down on the whole "clean" marketing scam. I'm all for better sustainability, but it doesn't need to be hitched to the "clean" train. 🙄 ALL brands, be they "clean" or "dirty," should strive for more sustainable practices, formulations, and packaging. It has nothing at all to do with "clean" status, and I don't appreciate Sephora equating sustainability—which is a legit concern among scientists and wildlife conservation agencies—with a baseless marketing ploy. This is pretty insulting, Sephora.
Also, I thought the current "Clean at Sephora" label already excludes most petrolatum-based ingredients. I'll be surprised if this label also excludes any perfuming essential oils like lavender, grapefruit, lemongrass, peppermint, geranium, damask rose, etc., since it seems many "clean" brands rely on those potentially skin-irritating natural ingredients.
And Sephora's attempt to compete with Credo is kinda funny... I wonder if they're doing that only because Ulta took Credo seriously, and Sephora's actually just trying to compete harder with Ulta now that this large competitor's added more prestige brands to their roster. Hmm.
Some folks might assume I boycott all "clean" brands and products, but I don't. I simply ignore their "clean" status and, instead, compare their INCI lists to the brands' claims of efficacy and results—just as I do with any other brand's products. But lately, I've wondered if I should stop supporting brands that push the lie that all "clean" and "100% natural" ingredients are better than "dirty" ones. Still, it'll be interesting to see the new "clean"—err, "Clean Plus" brands Sephora sells. I noticed a new brand last night and have already forgotten the brand's name... they're a Japanese brand... ah, Damdam. The first product I looked at (an essence in mist form) contains essential oils of grapefruit, cardamom, and damask rose. Surprise surprise.
@WinglessOne I agree and for me, I find the "clean" or "all natural" claim in fragrance is inconsistent and not really meaningful. It potentially muddies the issue.
To me, I think it's worth considering where the push for this kind of labeling comes from. We all know that regulations on cosmetics and other consumer goods that contain known carcinogens and such can be weak. This can be the same for sustainable or ethical practices, particularly as pertaining to environmental costs and working conditions. But it is impossible for every individual to vet every single ingredient in the goods they consume. So I understand why it's just easier for people to want a sticker from a third party or to default to "natural=good" thinking. Who has the time to research all these chemicals? Evaluate the information they find? And that's before we ask people to start thinking about stuff like sustainable and ethical business practices. I feel like these auditing organizations, the whole B Corp status comes to mind, are capitalizing on this unmet need consumers have for safety and a desire to support more ethical and sustainable businesses. Maybe these auditors are genuinely trying to fill a gap but I think we both agree that ultimately it's a fake solution that feels good.
Instead of leaning on stronger regulatory oversight, policies from within the industry or the state, we are taught to pressure individual companies and brands who feel more accessible to us citizens than the politicians who are supposed to represent our own public interests. This kind of vetting is impossible for an individual, but I imagine it's still difficult for corporations, even one as large as Sephora, to keep up with the new products, the reformulations, companies operating in different countries, it's incredibly complex. So I get this turn to a marketing program like Clean Plus. It's a feasible way to make it look like consumer concerns are being addressed.
Of course, there's also a cost to heavy regulation so I'm not suggesting bringing in state regulation will just fix everything. These matters tend to get political, even if it's not a governmental regulatory body. Like every few years, it seems like IFRA comes out with a mega ban on chemicals deemed to be potential allergens which forces every fragrance house to reformulate and like, maybe buy replacement ingredients from huge scent and taste corporations like Firmenich >_<
@pocketvenus @WinglessOne I agree with you both. I feel like the whole thing is just a cash grab of sorts.
@CookieGirl1 @WinglessOne Yes, I wish there was a better solution to what strikes me as valid concerns.