Rare Beauty has become a favorite in the makeup world for its innovative, inclusive, and high-quality products. However, its newest blushes are stirring a heated conversation—not for their color payoff or finish, but for how easily they break.
Fans are asking: Why didn’t Rare Beauty change the formula after complaints about their highlighters?
Recurring Complaints: A Fragile Legacy
Rare Beauty’s baked formulas, both in their blushes and highlighters, have consistently been criticized for their fragility. Many users report that these products shatter in transit, crumble with minimal handling, or arrive broken straight out of the box.
Here’s what users are saying:
- “I bought one of their blushes, and it arrived shattered. So disappointing!”
- “Every single baked product I’ve owned from Rare Beauty has broken. I had to invest in a loose powder container just to store the pieces.”
- “The highlighter complaints were endless, and now the blushes are following the same pattern. Why hasn’t this been addressed?”
The Issue with Baked Powders
Rare Beauty’s blushes use a baked powder formula, a process that gives them a lightweight, velvety texture. However, baked powders are inherently more fragile than pressed powders due to their lower density.
While baked powders deliver a beautiful finish, the trade-off is clear: less durability.
Some makeup enthusiasts defend Rare Beauty:
- “These are baked powders, not pressed ones. To fix the fragility, they’d need to completely reformulate, and that could change the texture and finish we love.”
Others argue that similar baked products from brands like Milani and Hourglass don’t share this issue, leaving Rare Beauty fans frustrated.
Packaging Woes: A Missed Opportunity?
Beyond the formula, critics believe Rare Beauty could improve the packaging to protect its delicate products. Suggestions from the beauty community include:
- Adding a secure plastic covering over the blush domes.
- Switching to loose powder jars to avoid shattering.
- Offering a revised compact design with reinforced protection.
One Reddit user summed it up:
- “A small design tweak could save Rare Beauty millions in returns and complaints.”
The Risk of a Reputation Hit
Fragile products not only frustrate customers but also pose a financial and reputational risk for Rare Beauty. Frequent returns and replacements can cut into profits, and persistent quality complaints may discourage potential buyers.
Some fans are already hesitant:
- “I was excited to try these, but now I’m scared they’ll break in the mail.”
- “This is holding me back from purchasing, even though I know I’d love the formula.”
Customer Workarounds
Despite the backlash, some loyal fans are finding creative ways to enjoy their Rare Beauty blushes without fear of breakage:
- Transferring broken blushes into loose powder containers.
- Buying products in-store and checking for damage before leaving.
But as one user put it:
- “Makeup this expensive shouldn’t require this much effort to use.”
Why Rare Beauty Hasn’t Changed the Formula
While Rare Beauty hasn’t made significant changes to address the fragility, the brand likely faces a tough balancing act. Reformulating the product into a pressed powder would solve the durability problem but could compromise the texture and finish that customers love.
Beauty or Durability?
Rare Beauty’s blushes are undeniably stunning, offering a radiant, natural finish. However, their fragility remains a glaring flaw. For a brand celebrated for empowering beauty lovers, addressing customer complaints about durability seems like an essential next step.
Until then, fans must decide: Are Rare Beauty’s blushes worth the risk of breaking?
