Are these brands objectively bad?

No. This is an aggregation of regret mentions in one Reddit thread. Mentions reflect opinions, not universal failure rates.

Why are luxury brands high on the list?

Many comments cite price-to-performance gaps—nice packaging and branding, average results for their skin/hair type.

Which categories are most polarising?

Primers, skin tints, and some devices (e.g., hair tools). Fit and technique matter a lot.

How should I reduce buyer’s remorse?

Patch test, sample sizes, confirm return windows, and match formulas to your skin/hair type and climate.

Is “waste of money” the same as “low quality”?

Not always. Often it’s poor fit or unrealistic expectations, not outright defects.

Beauty’s Biggest ‘Wastes of Money’ in 2025 — 690 Redditors Weigh In

We analysed a viral thread on r/BeautyRankings with 258 upvotes and 691 comments to see which brands and product types people most often regret buying. Read on to see what Redditors think - Original thread.

BIGGEST LET-DOWN BRANDS (MENTION COUNT)

NARS — 26
Charlotte Tilbury — 22
Dior — 18
La Mer — 14
Dyson Airwrap — 11
Chanel — 11
Jones Road — 9
Estée Lauder — 9
Bobbi Brown — 9
e.l.f. — 8
The Ordinary — 8
Tatcha — 7
Maybelline — 7
Armani — 6
Laura Mercier — 6

WHAT’S GOING WRONG? COMMON PAIN POINTS

Price ≠ performance for several luxury brands
Skin/hair type mismatch (dryness, patchiness, fine hair not holding styles)
Category skepticism: primers, skin tints, and some devices called “does nothing”
Texture/finish issues: cakey, clings to dry patches, too wet/clumpy

SAMPLE COMMUNITY QUOTES

“Any primers, other than eye — I think they make my makeup sit worse. I have the Tatcha one and it’s quite…” — u/chilican

“I have no clue why the Nars concealer is a best seller. Maybe oily girls like it but it made my under…” — u/Professional_Pea_892

“Dyson… my fine hair doesn’t hold it at all.” — u/[redacted]

“Paula’s Choice 10% niacinamide serum — not saying it’s no good, it just did nothing for me.” — u/[redacted]

“Westman Atelier… CT setting spray — expensive, underwhelming.” — u/AnAbsoluteShambles1

PRODUCT TYPES MOST OFTEN NAMED

foundation; lip/oils; hair tools/devices; concealer; creams & moisturizers; palettes; serums; primers; powders; mascara; sprays; eyeliner/highlighter

TAKEAWAYS & BUYER TIPS

Sample first (travel sizes, friendly return windows) for complexion categories
Match to your type (e.g., dry skin + matte concealers is a risky combo; fine hair + styling devices often disappoint)
Devices are polarizing — try in-store demos; confirm returns
Don’t overpay for the name — multiple comments cited luxe branding with average formulas

METHODOLOGY

One r/BeautyRankings discussion analyzed. Case-insensitive regex rolled up brand aliases (e.g., “CT” → Charlotte Tilbury). Counts reflect mentions in a negative-prompt context (“waste of money”), not failure rates or satisfaction rates across all buyers. Some neutral/off-topic mentions may remain. Thread created 2025-07-21; snapshot taken at article generation.

REDDIT VERIFIED RANKINGS

If you are on the hunt for products that Redditors actually recommend, these are good places to start:

Editor’s note: These are community opinions, not definitive lab tests. Always consider your own skin/hair type and routine.

The Biggest Beauty ‘Wastes of Money’ — According to 690 Redditors