At FreshGlo, we’re committed to understanding what makes our community tick—and what makes them tick off when it comes to their beauty routines. This spring, we conducted our most comprehensive beauty survey yet, gathering insights from 780 dedicated readers (92% female, all based in the United States) about their biggest makeup frustrations, shopping habits, and product preferences.
The results? Equal parts validating and surprising. If you’ve ever stood in front of your mirror wondering “is it just me, or…?” — this data proves you’re definitely not alone in your beauty struggles.
The Daily Makeup Struggle Is Real
When we asked about your number one makeup annoyance, the results were surprisingly close, but one frustration emerged as the clear leader:
Foundation that oxidizes/changes color topped our annoyance list with 29% of respondents citing this as their biggest frustration. As one respondent colorfully put it: “I leave home looking like myself and arrive at work looking like an Oompa Loompa.”
Coming in close behind were lipstick that transfers onto everything (24%) and products that crease throughout the day (21%), while eyeshadow fallout and mascara smudging tied at 13% each.
Speaking of daily routines, our “Morning Makeup Time Survey” revealed that the average respondent spends 17.3 minutes on their everyday makeup application. However, the range was significant—19% of you complete your routine in under 5 minutes, while a dedicated 7% spend more than 40 minutes crafting their daily look.
Storage Solutions (Or Lack Thereof)
If your makeup collection is threatening to take over your bathroom counter, you’re in good company. Our “Makeup Storage Struggles” question revealed that 47% of respondents consider “not enough space” their primary organizational challenge, followed by “difficulty finding specific products” (26%).
The most concerning finding? Only 38% of survey participants regularly check expiration dates on their products. Which leads perfectly into our next insight…
The Graveyard of Unfinished Products
In our “Beauty Product Longevity” question, we discovered that certain products consistently expire before readers can finish them:
- Mascara – 43% (Though dermatologists recommend replacement every 3 months)
- Liquid/cream blush – 29%
- Foundation – 18%
- Lipstick – 6%
- Powder products – 4%
Tools of the Trade
The “Makeup Application Tools” question settled a long-standing beauty debate. When it comes to foundation application:
- Beauty sponges reign supreme – 52%
- Brushes – 31%
- Fingers – 14%
- Combination approach – 3%
Clean Beauty: Marketing Hype or Genuine Priority?
One of our most revealing questions focused on how important clean and cruelty-free certifications are in purchasing decisions. The results suggest that while many talk about clean beauty, it’s becoming a genuine deciding factor:
- Very important (won’t purchase without certification) – 34%
- Somewhat important (prefer it but will make exceptions) – 41%
- Nice to have but not essential – 19%
- Not a factor in decisions – 6%
The Price-to-Performance Value Calculation
When we asked “Which high-end products are actually worth the splurge?” your answers created a clear hierarchy:
- Foundation – 42% (with many citing shade matching and skin benefits as justification)
- Eyeshadow palettes – 28%
- Skincare-makeup hybrids – 17%
- Mascara – 8%
- Lipstick – 5%
Interestingly, when cross-referenced with our “Ride-or-Die Products” question, there was significant overlap—suggesting that once you find a premium product that works, brand loyalty follows.
Trend Fatigue Is Setting In
The “Most Overrated Beauty Trends” question generated our most passionate responses, with clear winners (or losers, depending on perspective):
- ‘Clean girl’ slicked-back looks – 31%
- Over-lined lips – 27%
- Extreme contouring – 22%
- ‘Sunburn’ blush – 15%
- Laminated brows – 5%
The Social Media Influence Factor
Perhaps our most revealing insight came from the “Social Media Beauty Influence” question. Despite industry assumptions about influencer marketing:
- “I regularly purchase based on influencer recommendations” – 23%
- “I’ve occasionally purchased after seeing multiple influencers recommend something” – 44%
- “I research products independently regardless of who promotes them” – 19%
- “I actively avoid products with heavy influencer marketing” – 14%
Product-Specific Pain Points
Breaking down frustrations by product category revealed distinct challenges:
Foundation Failures:
- Finding the perfect shade match – 41%
- Longevity issues – 27%
- Texture problems (cakiness, patchiness) – 24%
- Skin reactivity/breakouts – 8%
Mascara Mishaps:
- Smudging under eyes – 38%
- Clumping – 29%
- Flaking throughout day – 22%
- Difficulty removing completely – 11%
Lipstick Longevity:
When asked which techniques actually work for making lipstick last, the most effective method was lip liner all over lips before applying lipstick (44%), followed by blotting and reapplying in layers (31%). Surprisingly, only 16% found that “long-wear” formulas actually delivered on their promises.
Eyeshadow Application:
The most challenging eye looks to create were:
- Cut crease – 37%
- Smoky eye – 28%
- Winged eyeshadow – 21%
- Color gradients – 14%
Concealer Concerns:
- Creasing under eyes – 46%
- Looking cakey/aging – 28%
- Color correcting effectively – 17%
- Product settling into fine lines – 9%
Shopping Habits & Consumer Behavior
Our questions about shopping behavior revealed how discovery and purchasing actually happen:
Where Beauty Products Are Discovered:
- Social media – 33%
- Friends/family recommendations – 26%
- In-store browsing – 22%
- Beauty blogs/websites – 15%
- YouTube tutorials – 4%
Return Policy Importance:
- Extremely important (won’t purchase without a good return policy) – 29%
- Somewhat important – 44%
- Only matters for expensive items – 19%
- Not a factor – 8%
Sample Significance:
Do free samples influence purchases? 71% said yes, with 39% reporting they had purchased a full-size product in the last month based on a free sample experience.
Packaging Preferences:
When ranking what matters most in packaging:
- Functionality/usability – 42%
- Sustainability – 31%
- Hygienic design – 21%
- Aesthetics – 6%
Ingredient Awareness:
The most actively avoided ingredients were:
- Parabens – 38%
- Synthetic fragrances – 27%
- Talc – 16%
- Silicones – 11%
- Sulfates – 8%
What This Means For Your Beauty Routine
These survey results confirm what we at FreshGlo have long suspected: beauty lovers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their understanding of products, ingredients, and techniques. You want performance, value, and ethical production—and you can spot exaggerated marketing claims from a mile away.
In response to these insights, we’re developing new content series addressing your top concerns, starting with our upcoming foundation shade-matching guide and a workshop on preventing makeup creasing throughout the day.
Have these survey results resonated with your own beauty frustrations? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Ready to solve some of these common beauty challenges? Our FreshGlo consultants are available for personalized recommendations at info@freshglo.co. Remember, we’re here to help you glow, naturally!