As a makeup enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for brands that not only deliver great products but also stand out for their quality and commitment to social good. Thrive Cosmetics is one of those brands that promised just that: effective beauty products with a philanthropic twist.
Their tagline “Beauty with a Purpose” resonates with me, as the company donates products to women facing challenges such as cancer or domestic violence. Sounds great, right? But is it all that it seems? In this review, I will be sharing my personal experience with Thrive Cosmetics and analyzing how their products measure up, based on my usage, the opinions of others, and the overall brand ethos.
Thrive Cosmetics Overview
Thrive Cosmetics was founded with the goal of creating high-performance beauty products that not only work but also help to create a positive impact. Many of their products are designed with women’s needs in mind—offering long-lasting formulas, cruelty-free certifications, and eco-friendly packaging. The company is particularly popular for its mascara, foundation, lipsticks, and eye brighteners. Their range aims to cater to a variety of skin types and tones, all while emphasizing inclusivity and accessibility.
However, despite its promising premise, Thrive Cosmetics has been subject to its fair share of criticism, with some consumers voicing concerns about customer service, the durability of the products, and the brand’s business practices. This article aims to give you a balanced perspective on whether Thrive Cosmetics is truly a brand worth investing in or whether it’s just another flashy beauty name that doesn’t live up to expectations.
Why You Should Buy Thrive Cosmetics
If you’re someone who values both great beauty products and social responsibility, Thrive Cosmetics is a brand you may want to try. Their products are vegan, cruelty-free, and contain ingredients that are meant to be good for your skin. With their charitable giving initiative, they are dedicated to supporting women in need, which adds another layer of appeal for those who like to support companies with strong social missions. But does the product quality live up to the hype? Let’s explore that in detail.
What I Loved About Thrive Cosmetics?
When I first tried Thrive Cosmetics, I was immediately impressed by the packaging. The products felt sleek and well-made, which is a good indication of a premium beauty brand. I decided to start with the fan-favorite product—the Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara, which boasts a unique formula that mimics the look of eyelash extensions. As someone who has never been fond of lash extensions or fake lashes, I was curious to see if Thrive Cosmetics could deliver on the promised “extension-like” results.
The mascara lived up to its claim—creating long, voluminous lashes without the need for falsies. The formula didn’t flake or smudge, and it lasted throughout the day without any irritation. The mascara is one of the brand’s standout products and is a must-try for those looking for a long-wear mascara that doesn’t compromise on volume or length.
Another product I tried was the Eye Brightener, which has a smooth, creamy texture and is easy to apply. It provided a natural, brightened look to my eyes without feeling heavy or cakey, and the color was perfect for my skin tone. It’s an excellent option for those who want a more subtle eye brightening effect without the high-maintenance of heavy concealers.
How to Get the Most Out of Thrive Cosmetics Products?
To get the most out of Thrive Cosmetics, here are some tips:
- Layering Products: Many of Thrive’s products, such as their mascaras and foundations, can be layered for enhanced performance. Applying multiple layers of mascara can help you achieve an even fuller lash look.
Prime Your Skin: If you want your Thrive Cosmetics foundation or concealer to last longer, use a good primer beforehand. This will help the makeup adhere better to your skin and stay fresh throughout the day. - Use for Daily Wear: Thrive Cosmetics products are designed for everyday wear, so use them consistently to get the best results.
- Proper Storage: Store your Thrive Cosmetics products in a cool, dry place to ensure longevity. Also, remember to keep the caps tightly closed to prevent formulas from drying out.
Pros and Cons of Thrive Cosmetics
Here’s a quick rundown of what I’ve found when it comes to Thrive Cosmetics:
Pros:
- High-performance products: Thrive Cosmetics is known for its long-wearing formulas, with many of their products lasting all day without smudging or fading.
- Vegan and cruelty-free: If these attributes are important to you, Thrive Cosmetics checks the boxes.
- Philanthropy: Thrive Cosmetics makes a difference by donating products to women in need, which is a nice touch.
- Inclusive shade range: The brand is known for offering a wide variety of shades, particularly in their foundations and concealers.
- Sleek packaging: The products are aesthetically pleasing and feel like a premium option.
Cons:
- Customer service: Several reviews point to issues with Thrive’s customer service, including problems with returns, missing rewards points, and unresponsive support.
- Product durability: There have been complaints about some products, like the eyeliner, failing to perform after a few uses.
- Price: Thrive Cosmetics can be on the pricier side, especially when compared to other brands with similar products.
- Sustainability concerns: While they are cruelty-free, some consumers have expressed concerns about the brand’s packaging and its overall eco-friendliness.
Thrive Cosmetics Vs. Other Popular Brands
To give you a more comprehensive look at Thrive Cosmetics, I’ll compare it to five other well-known beauty brands: Maybelline, Too Faced, Tarte Cosmetics, Fenty Beauty, and BareMinerals. All of these brands have strong reputations in the beauty industry, so how does Thrive stack up against them?
- Thrive Cosmetics Vs. Maybelline
Maybelline is a drugstore brand that has been around for years and is known for offering affordable, high-performance makeup products.
While Thrive Cosmetics is priced higher than Maybelline, it is often seen as a more premium alternative, particularly due to its focus on vegan and cruelty-free formulas.
Maybelline offers a wider range of affordable options for mascara and foundation, but Thrive tends to focus on products with more specialized ingredients and philanthropic initiatives.
- Thrive Cosmetics Vs. Too Faced
Too Faced, known for its playful packaging and high-quality products, offers a wide variety of makeup items at a similar price point to Thrive Cosmetics. While Too Faced does have some vegan and cruelty-free products, Thrive Cosmetics goes the extra mile with its social impact initiatives. In terms of performance, both brands offer long-lasting products, but Too Faced’s formulas are generally more focused on fun and experimentation, whereas Thrive Cosmetics sticks to the basics with more “everyday” wear products.
- Thrive Cosmetics Vs. Tarte Cosmetics
Tarte Cosmetics is another brand that stands out for its cruelty-free, eco-friendly products. Both Thrive and Tarte focus on creating clean beauty options, but Thrive Cosmetics tends to lean more into long-lasting, performance-driven products, whereas Tarte offers a wider variety of natural and organic formulations. Both brands offer popular mascaras, but Thrive Cosmetics is particularly well-known for its Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara, which offers longer-lasting results than Tarte’s options.
- Thrive Cosmetics Vs. Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty, launched by Rihanna, has revolutionized the beauty industry with its inclusivity and wide shade range. While Thrive Cosmetics offers a similar range of shades, Fenty Beauty is known for its bold, statement-making products. Thrive focuses more on everyday wear, clean beauty, and philanthropy, while Fenty has a more diverse range of high-impact products, such as their highlighters and foundation formulas. Both brands are high-performing but cater to slightly different needs.
- Thrive Cosmetics Vs. BareMinerals
BareMinerals is a well-established brand that specializes in mineral-based makeup, offering a more natural approach to beauty.
Thrive Cosmetics, on the other hand, is known for its long-wear products, especially their mascaras and foundations. While BareMinerals is more focused on providing a natural, breathable finish, Thrive Cosmetics provides more specialized products for those looking for long-lasting and performance-driven results.
Both brands offer cruelty-free products, but Thrive’s philanthropic efforts make it stand out as a more socially responsible choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The lawsuit refers to a legal issue that arose regarding some business practices related to the company’s customer loyalty program and marketing practices. While the brand has continued to operate, it has left some consumers feeling disgruntled about its business practices.
While Thrive Cosmetics products are not specifically “dermatologist-approved,” many of their products are formulated for sensitive skin and are cruelty-free, vegan, and free of harmful chemicals.
Yes! Thrive’s Eye Brightener is a creamy, smooth product that doesn’t settle into fine lines, making it a great option for mature skin.
No, Thrive Cosmetics is not sold at Ulta. However, you can purchase it directly from their website or from select online retailers.
Final Thoughts
After using Thrive Cosmetics for some time, I can confidently say that the brand offers high-quality, long-lasting products. While there are some issues with their customer service and product durability, their philanthropic mission and cruelty-free, vegan formulas make them a brand worth considering. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, you might want to explore other alternatives.
