Celebrity makeup artist reveals her list of the most OVERRATED products at Sephora – including cult favorites from YSL and Fenty – as she shares ‘under appreciated’ alternatives you should be buying instead
A celebrity makeup artist has dished on the Sephora makeup products that don’t get enough hype — and the ones that get a little too much.
Courtney Hart is a Los Angeles-based makeup artist to the stars, performing her artistry on major celebrities such as Hilary Duff, Chelsea Handler, Rachel Bilson and Kaley Cuoco.
On Hart’s social media pages, she often shares her expertise on various makeup and beauty products, as well as tips and trends, such as the overrated and underrated products at Sephora, which she revealed in a two-part TikTok series in September.
She started off strong, explaining why a product from cult-favorite brand Pat McGrath didn’t meet her standards.
Courtney Hart, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist to the stars, revealed products that are underrated and overrated at Sephora
Courtney’s clients include Hilary Duff, who has starred in hit films such as Cheaper By The Dozen and A Cinderella Story
“This is painful, but it needs to be said,” Hart said from the Sephora store, where she shot the video.
“Pat McGrath’s eyeshadows, not all of them, these, the glittery ones, they go everywhere,” Hart claimed as she showed off a palette on display in the store.
‘They won’t stay. Maybe you can get them wet, I don’t know, but I need something to work quickly when I’m at work, and this isn’t it.’
She explained that Urban Decay’s glitter eyeshadows were a great alternative to Pat McGrath’s because the makeup artist felt they were more pigmented.
She then revealed a product she thought was “never talked about,” Anastasia Beverly Hills lip liners.
“Guys, don’t sleep on these, they’re incredible,” Hart said.
The makeup artist even applied the product in the shade ‘malt’ to her hand, which really showed off the creamy consistency and deep brown color.
“This is the color of malt, and it’s beautiful,” she said.
Courtney first started explaining why she thinks Pat McGrath’s glitter eyeshadow was “overrated.”
Hart also tested some products, showing off the color on her hands. Above you see the Anastasia Beverly Hills lip liner in the color malt
She also mentioned that their eyeshadow was great, but often overlooked.
The makeup artist then moved on to powders, revealing that one from a popular brand wasn’t exactly worth it.
“This is a very overrated powder, Laura Mercier,” she said. “I’m sorry I love you.”
Instead, she recommended the One/Size brand powder, which she said wasn’t always talked about.
“Oh my god, what a perfect powder,” she said of the One/Size one. “And it comes in minis.”
Speaking to DailyMail.com, Hart notes that “makeup is personal and trial and error is sometimes the best way to discover what the right products are for you.”
In a part two of the series on her TikTok page, the makeup professional immediately delved into skin care.
“Gen-Z, don’t come for me, but The Glow Recipe is overrated, I’m sorry,” Hart announced about the skincare brand, which featured several colorful products with ingredients from fruits like watermelon and pomegranate.
Hart explained why she thinks skincare brand Glow Recipe is “overrated.”
In the video, Hart also gave some alternatives to try if you were looking for a similar product
“It’s cute, but I just don’t get it,” she said.
Alternatively, she said people should look to the First Aid Beauty brand, which she said is “highly underrated.”
Next was a product she had a “controversial” view on.
“The Makeup by Mario skin enhancers, I have them in my kit because I was so excited, and I just never used them so I took them out,” she said.
“They’re just not doing enough.”
Another underrated product she pointed out on Sephora shelves was the Makeup Forever brand Artist Color Pencils.
Hart explained that not only did she use these pencils “constantly,” but she also used them on both the lips and eyes.
“They’re incredible,” she gushed.
For the series’ final overrated product, Hart moved into the luxury space and took a hit on YSL’s beauty line.
“I hate to say it, but Touche Éclat, it’s a beautiful product, it’s been around forever, but I just think there are better things that cost less,” she said of the brand’s concealer.
She also admitted that Fenty’s Flypencil eyeliners weren’t worth it because they “instantly dry out,” even though she’s a fan of their other products, like their lip glosses, which she thought were “underrated.”
One product that Hart said was “underrated” was Makeup Forever’s Artist Color Pencils
She created the series in two parts, both on her TikTok page
In the comments section of her videos, many users seemed to agree on the products she felt were underrated and overrated
Last but not least, the makeup artist said that the entire Sephora Collection brand was underrated.
“They have access to every lab, they know what everyone is doing, every trend, and they do fantastic work,” she admitted.
In the comments section of the second part of her series, many users seemed to agree with her makeup shots.
‘YES! Those Makeup Forever Pencils have come in handy so often!!’ wrote one person.
Another wrote: ‘I love Sephora lip liners, so underrated.’
‘I remember when touché éclat was launched and that was innovative. It’s not at all anymore. Not bad, but not the best.’ someone else agreed.
One user complained: ‘I agree about the Glow recipe…not happy.’