The Most Popular Makeup Releases of 2025 That Did NOT Live Up to the Hype
Let’s get one thing straight: this is not a hate list. Makeup is personal, trends are subjective, and if one of these products worked beautifully for you—truly, I love that for you.
That said… 2025 gave us a lot of luxury launches with luxury price tags—and not all of them delivered luxury-level results. These were the releases that dominated our feeds, promised glow, dimension, and innovation… but ultimately left many of us underwhelmed.
And to be clear: these are the ones you voted for. High expectations + high prices = high standards—and these did not live up to the hype. Let’s get into it.
Click on the images for links*
Prada Dimensions Holo Nude Eyeshadows (Peony, Pansy, Primula)
Prada’s original Dimensions palettes set the bar very high—cool, modern neutrals with true dimension. These? Not so much. Despite being marketed as “nudes,” these leaned surprisingly warm and lacked the depth and contrast we’ve come to expect from the line. The holographic effect read more flat than futuristic, and the pigment payoff felt muted. Compared to Prada’s earlier triumphs, this was a noticeable step down. $85
Dior Forever Blush Soft Filter – Whipped Liquid Blush
Dior knows blush. So when this airy, whipped formula launched, expectations were sky-high. Unfortunately, the pigment payoff was… barely there. Even with layering, the color struggled to show up, especially on anything but the fairest skin tones. The texture was pretty, yes—but at this price, “soft focus” shouldn’t translate to invisible. Many felt they were working far too hard for such a subtle result. $49
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Instant Look in a Palette
Charlotte Tilbury rarely misses when it comes to vibes—and the packaging here was undeniably beautiful. But performance-wise, this palette didn’t quite earn its Hollywood star. Users reported noticeable fallout and a lack of depth, especially when trying to build definition. For a brand celebrated for foolproof glam, this one felt oddly fussy and inconsistent. $69 (currently out of stock)
Givenchy Prisme Libre Bronzing Powder
This one hurt. The Prisme Libre powders are icons—so expectations were understandably high. Unfortunately, the bronzing version leaned overwhelmingly orange, with shades that looked nearly identical once applied. Pigmentation was weak, warmth was off, and many found it difficult to achieve a natural, sculpted look. For a brand known for refined complexion products, this felt surprisingly one-note. $60
Guerlain Terracotta Luminizer
Terracotta has a legendary reputation… which made this release all the more disappointing. Instead of a refined, sun-kissed glow, many felt this crossed straight into disco ball territory. The shimmer was intense, chunky, and far less versatile than expected—especially for daytime wear. Beautiful compact? Always. Subtle luxury glow? Not so much. $65
Makeup by Mario Ethereal Eyes Nature Palette
The name promised soft, romantic magic. The result? A bit… dull. While the palette leaned into Mario’s signature understated aesthetic, many found the shades too muted and lacking impact. Pigmentation was minimal, tones blended together, and the overall look felt flat—especially compared to earlier Ethereal releases that truly delivered. $69
YSL Golden Oasis Face Palette
This one had us all in a chokehold before it even launched. The packaging was stunning—pure YSL fantasy. Sadly, the performance didn’t match the exterior. The blushes were underwhelming, lacking payoff and dimension, and the overall palette felt more decorative than functional. A classic case of looked better on the shelf than on the face. $85
Chanel Les 9 Ombres Palettes
At this price point, expectations are very specific—and very high. Many felt these palettes didn’t capture the magic or cohesiveness of a true holiday collection. The color stories felt disjointed, the impact subtle to the point of forgettable, and for $160, “classic Chanel” just wasn’t enough. Beautiful? Yes. Memorable? Not quite.
Final Thoughts
Luxury makeup isn’t just about the name—it’s about performance, innovation, and that wow factor that makes you reach for a product again and again. These releases weren’t terrible… they just didn’t justify the hype (or the price). And again—if you love any of these, that’s fabulous. Makeup joy is personal. But in a year overflowing with launches, these were the ones that didn’t quite earn their spot on the top shelf.
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