May 17, 2021

I Swear These Beauty Products Changed Their Formulas…….

Have you ever loved a lipstick or an eyeliner or a moisturizer so much that you felt the need to stock up on it? Don’t worry! You aren’t alone! I’ve totally had moments where I’ve hoarded away some fragrance, skincare, or even a MAC Pigment or two that I loved. I think some of the psychology behind this is the fear it’ll be discontinued but another fear is that the formula will change. I’ve seen this happen time and time again! I’ll fallen in with something, use it to the very last drop, re-purchase again and again but there comes a point when it feels like the formula changed.

Here’s some beauty products that I swear changed their formulas.

I have said for years now that Urban Decay Primer Potion has changed. It’s very obvious now but when I was preaching about the change it was 2011 which means we couldn’t even blame L’Oreal for the change! I’ve used Primer Potion religiously since the launch but I feel like it hasn’t been the same in many, many years now. It just doesn’t apply as well as it did, it doesn’t lock eyeshadow the way it used too, the formula, the consistency, the texture, it all feels different to me!

Another UD fan favorite that I am convinced have changed for the worst at Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliners. Perversion used to be my biggest HG (holy grail) eyeliner! It was creamy, smooth, it applied like melted butter…! Now it’s dry, skips, and doesn’t have the same intense black pigment as it once did.

Another big one for me is It Cosmetics Bye Bye Concealer! Remember they relaunched it about two years ago with a MASSIVE array of shades? I’m convinced the formula is different! Not as thick, not as emollient, a little weirder on the blend…!

And finally, Tarte Shape Tape Concealer! Still my very favorite product but I feel like the formula was super creamy when they originally launched it! Now it feels a touch drier! I recall finishing up my first tube and purchasing another one I instantly noticed that the formula was a bit drier and a lot less creamy! It’s still a favorite of mine but I’m convinced the formula changed!

What are some beauty items that you’re convinced changed their formulas?

Do share!

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  • Dee

    IT Cosmetics CC Cream. I always get one as the weather warms up because it’s been my “go to” for years in the summer. I just got a new tube and it’s different. The color choice is so different from what I have always purchased and it doesn’t feel or look the same. Anyone else have this experience with this product?

    • Isabella Muse

      I have this issue with bye bye concealer! No one can tell me that formula hasn’t changed!

    • Violet

      Yup! The original was also my “go to”�, but I had to buy 2 tubes & mix the fair & light shades to match my skin. When they added new shades, I bought the fair light, which turned out to be a great match for me, but somehow felt uncomfortably heavy & didn’t buff in as smoothly. I tried adding some moisturizer to it, but still not quite right. Needless to say, I abandoned this.

      The concealer is my fave, but I had stocked up during a great sale several years ago & have at least 3 tubes left, so I can’t give an opinion on the latest version.

  • Chris

    Bite Beauty Agave Lip Balm “� was my go to lippie before going to bed. Purchased one container during the pandemic & it felt ‘different’. Now I used it up & bought a Nivea lip balm. When I read the Sephora reviews, I saw I wasn’t the only one”� many said the formula changed.

    • Isabella Muse

      the formula def changed on that imho! It just doesn’t feel the same! Also, did you feel a bit of grittiness with it?

      • TC

        It def did change as they reformulated the whole line to vegan.

      • Chris

        It just tasted ‘off’ to me. Once I used up the one I had bought, I switched brands. I didn’t detect any grittiness.

    • Jennifer F

      The formula is actually different. The main change is that they removed the lanolin which is from animal origin and therefore not vegan. (The lanolin is actually why their product worked so well for many people.) I stocked up before the old formulation disappeared. Sadly, I will be not buying the new ones because of the all poor performance reviews. If you like the way the original formula worked for dry lips, look for lanolin in formulas. I posted a few on my IG (jennifer.refinedbeauty).

  • Jane

    I can’t think of any that have changed on the sly, but it’s a phenomenon I just don’t understand. If a company has to change it for availability of ingredients or something, just tell people! It’s beauty gaslighting.

  • Michelle

    When Dr Jart+ first released their Premium Beauty Balm, I loved it, it was perfect for my Rosacea skin. A few years ago, they changed the formula, adding irritating fragrances and replacing the sunscreen from physical to chemical. I was so angry! I’ve never found anything since that I loved so well.

    • Isabella Muse

      They did the same with the Ceramidin collection! I could just cry 🙁

  • Jasmine

    Not necessarily beauty related, but the Laneige water bank hydro essence formulation totally changed. It’s not nearly as hydrating as it was before. I was super disappointed as I dubbed that my holy grail essence. Trying out Caudalie’s essence, but not a fan. I had a sample of Fresh’s Kombucha essence and really liked that one.

    • Isabella Muse

      Totally agreed! Also, did the sleep pack also change?! It feels a lot lighter than it used to be!

  • Tay

    Totally agree with you about UDPP!! I gave up on it years ago. It just left me with creased shadow one too many times.

  • Lily

    Benefit’s Dallas blush! I have bought this sever times in the early to mid 2000s, loved it. It used to be more plummy I think, a blush/bronze. I swear it changed, now it is orange sh**. So disappointed

    • Isabella Muse

      It is muddier and a bit more orange-y! I can confirm this! Def a weird color change!

    • kjh

      None of the relaunches have much resemblance to the originals. Unfortunately. I panned out Georgia. Sigh.

  • JoElla

    I think Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes has changed. It was my HG for years. Then one day it started smearing on me. Tried a new tube, that smeared on me

    Then I tried the Surfer Girl, and felt like my old beloved mascara. What gives Tarte!?

    • Isabella Muse

      No kid…! I didn’t notice that one but don’t make me nervous! It’s my hg!

    • Jessic Oswalt

      I agree the Tarte mascara is different, it doesn’t apply like it used to. It didn’t transfer for me, it used to be my favorite.

  • Swoozy

    I have some crazy old UD primer – post 2011, but pre- the return of the doe foot applicator. It’s great and still works amazing. I had a recent travel size doe-foot tube and it held nothing in place. I have one last old tube in my cabinet and I’ll cherish it as I’ll have to find a new primer for my oily eyelids (preferably with no doe foot).

    I used the Cover Girl loose powder for years. It was great, it was cheap, and it did the job. It now oxidizes on me. Not sure if it’s the formula or a change in what I use on my skin, but I miss having a nice, easy to find, and affordable loose powder.

    • Isabella Muse

      girllll watch those pretty eyes! It might work great but bacteria! Be careful ok? 🙂 Aw man…! I hate when base products change! You found the perfect powder or foundation and they change it ughhh! that’s the worst!

  • Bo

    This is not necessarily a formula change, but L’oreal changed the brush on its Voluminous mascara a few years back. The brush used to be quite thick and round. Now it is a slim version of what it used to be. It still performs well, but it is not the same brush.

    • Isabella Muse

      that sucks even more than a formula change as I truly believe an applicator can make or break a mascara formula!

      • Bo

        Thank you so much for replying to my comment. I am fangirling right now!!!I have been reading your blog for years and I love your recommendations and how you evaluate make up. I love talking about make up and all things beauty related and your blog is such a friendly and fun place to find new products and see swatches.

        • Isabella Muse

          awww bo! thank you so much! That made my day! Thank you so very much this made my day seriously! I love talking to all of you please comment anytime 😀 I’m always listening and learning from you all!

  • Miska

    I feel like UD’s eyeliners are…or it’s seems I should say they were basically the only good thing going for UD for a good long while now. I’m not in to their reformulations at all at this point. The swatches I’ve seen of their newest eyeshadow singles and shadow sticks are total shit to the quality of years ago. The closest replacement of UD eyeliners I’ve found is Ulta’s gel liner pencil. They have that same “glide”� that UD liners were known for. I can’t speak to the black but I have 8 other colors and I love their performance. Not as great as OG UD pencil eyeliners but they’re good and you can get three for the same price you’d pay for on UD liner. Unless Ulta went and changed their formula as I haven’t bought any eyeliner since the pre pandemic days.

    • Isabella Muse

      honestly, the liners seem drier to me right now! I never tried them! Will have to pick those up!

  • Kristi

    Make-up Geek’s eyeliners. They disappeared for about 2 years. The formula is much softer now and it breaks when I sharpen it…the old one didn’t. I also use Mac sharpeners, so theyre not cheap sharpeners! The old one would stay in my waterline for 10 plus hours, this one, fades after a few hours. I’m so disapppinted.

  • lisa

    I just discovered that tarte changed up their maracuja oil, it’s not just maracuja oil anymore but 4 different oils however the bottle still just says maracuja oil. Wish I had stocked up! I miss a lot of what used to make tarte great – the lip crayons and the stick blush. Sigh….

  • Stevie

    Fenty’s Hydra Vizor. I recently purchased a refill, and as soon as I squirted some product in my hand, I could instantly tell the color was different. Then once I applied it, it smelled horrible. It smells more chemically and less fresh. I had to wash it off after like 20 minutes because the smell was making me nauseous… Boooo!!

  • Diane Baxter

    Did Sojourn beauty change their shampoo formulations? It’s a wonderful haircare line without sulfates and ph balanced. The last two bottles of shampoo that I purchased smelled different and were very drying to my hair. I hope it’s just a fluke and not a formula change.

    • Isabella Muse

      I’m not sure as I don’t use that but sorry to hear if it did! It’s so frustrating when a loved product changes!