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I think a lot of the mini face palettes end up suiting a narrower set of skin tones/preferences, so I always feel like there’s one or more shades that I wouldn’t reach for.
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Mini skin care sets strike me as fairly useless introductions to the products
Agreed on the face palettes: you’re going to find your best shades and never use any of the others.
I think that there are likely pros and cons regarding almost any mini set. I think that base makeup products probably are the least helpful unless they are structured around a particular tone such as all fair shades, medium shades, deep shades, etcetera. As I mentioned yesterday, I do find value in using mini sets even of skincare as I like to know the texture and whether they will work with my existing skincare without pilling, causing makeup to cake up, lift or apply poorly over it. While I love mini lipstick sets, I really don’t need them to evaluate lipstick’s as I have definite color preferences and formulas.
Sometimes mini lipsticks are prone to breaking. I have good luck with some brands (YSL and Givenchy minis), but you kind of never know it won’t work for you until you’ve tried it. I also love Fenty Skin but I can’t use her toner that’s usually included in the mini sets.
Skin care. There’s not enough product to really know what works for you.
Another vote for skincare minis here. Either my sensitive skin won’t tolerate it so it’s just an annoying mess (or waste) to smear on my legs or something, or it’s not enough product to really get a feel for how it works.
The exception is if it’s a free mini of a product I already use. Then I’ll throw it in my cart! Sometimes they’re nice for travel if I already use and like it.
My first thought was actually nail polishes. I can’t recall the last time I saw a set of mini polishes in which I liked all the shades, and the brushes are more likely to be dinky little annoyances.
Lipsticks as there’s almost always at least one shade I’ll never use, ie brown or beige.
Because I have slightly fuller lips, usually mini lipstick sets. But, not if they are either more thick yet shorter! Or have a formula that doesn’t break easily.
Mascara mini sets don’t do much for me either usually.
Mini lipstick sets – more often than not they are of shades that I don’t use. And I agree with you Christine on lip, eye and face palettes – usually they are of shades and finishes that don’t suit me.
Skin care mini sets that contain a toner – which I would never use.