Overrated Beauty Products

These are products that have achieved cult followings or legendary status in some of the major beauty magazines. I've tried them, and I can say with all sincerity, save your money. They don't live up to the hype.

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: This one is constantly named as the HG of high-end foundations. As the name implies, it's supposed to give you a luminous finish that's almost airbrushed in quality. The foundation is fine: It doesn't smell or cake, but it's not anything that stands out amongst the other foundations on the market. It doesn't give a luminous, glowing finish. In fact, the finish is fairly matte. At $59/bottle and with the prestige around it, this product should deliver more. I've also heard the ingredients are very similar to Maybelline's Dream Smooth line, which I'd believe.

YSL Touche Eclat: This is another cult favorite that's achieved a legendary status. It's a $40 highlighting pen. Does it work? Yes. Does it work better than products that are 1/2 of the price? No. I used Mary Kay Highlighting Pen at $18 and got a much more highlighted, lifted quality to the face than I do with YSL's Touche Eclat. There are probably even cheaper versions at the drugstore that produce comparable results.

SK-II Skin Signature 3D Redefining Mask: I'm a sucker for all things Iman. So when the goddess herself swore by this product for making her look like she'd been "resting for a week," I was fixated on trying it. Yes, it's a whopping $145 for 6 facial cloth masks (I bought this when I had a lot more savings in the bank). The masks work fine: They moisturize and temporarily plump up the skin. So did a L'Oreal Revitalift line a few years back that cost $14 for the same amount of product.

Creme de la Mer: At a growing cost, this product should be upping the ante on what it delivers. At the end of the day, it's a lot of smoke-in-mirrors. The marketing around this brand is that it's a "miracle broth" created by a scientist who was looking to heal some burns he had. The product is extremely dense and moisturizing, but it's not worth $135 per ounce. For most skin tones, it will make your skin greasy and possibly broken out. Save yourself the money and invest in some good plastic surgery down the road, if that's what you choose.