# What products on the market do you think are most overhyped? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 13, 2009, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282 "2009-08-13T13:39:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/21 "2009-08-13T20:42:52Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Several brands of shampoo/conditioner: Tresemmé, Tresemme is upscale? I use it because it’s usually on sale at Pathmark at a reasonable price, and it works fairly well. Actually, do they even have commercials (I guess they do, I have just not seen one)? ---
**Author:** ![Tenebras](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tenebras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenebras)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/22 "2009-08-13T20:49:43Z")
Tresemme has commercials during Project Runway, so I guess that counts as overhyped. The thing is, it comes in a gigantic bottle and every time you use it you get to think “threesome shampoo”! Quality like that can’t possibly be overhyped. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/23 "2009-08-13T20:54:28Z")
> [@Tenebras](#): > > Tresemme has commercials during Project Runway, so I guess that counts as overhyped. The thing is, it comes in a gigantic bottle and every time you use it you get to think “threesome shampoo”! Quality like that can’t possibly be overhyped. Well, L’Oreal is also used on Proj Runway. But then Covergirl is also used during Top Model. But I don’t think any of those brands are considered hyped–they’re the kinds of thing you can buy in a drugstore. Generally, I think if make up is advertised on TV, it’s not considered all that high end. Which isn’t to say that it’s bad, just not considered overhyped. ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/24 "2009-08-13T21:10:33Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Oddly enough, I’ve read that Wet 'n Wild lasts longer than any other make up on the market. I’ve never been able to try to find it to use for myself but I’ve read this in a number of places. They also use it in porn movies because it’s the only thing that stays on. > > ETA: Also, the thirty dollar Dior mascara I bought looks exactly the same on me as the eight dollar one I got at Duane Reade. And a lot of the cheap Sephora brand stuff actually works pretty well. The only thing I think I’d spend more money on is foundation but I think a lot of the other stuff is often a ripoff. Mascara I _never_ bother buying high end. Drugstore stuff works great (my favorite is the newish Maybelline in the hideous bright yellow with purple metallic lettering tube). But for things like eyeshadows? I always prefer high end brands. Wet n Wild (which yes, I’ve used) and drug store brands will always crease horribly into my lids. If I use MAC, Urban Decay, etc., it will stay nicely put on my lids. Since eyeshadows are the things I have most fun with, I’ll generally say that I prefer high end brands, but I have plenty of cheapie mascaras, lip glosses and sticks, etc. Oh, and if I want an eyeliner pencil that’s anything other than black, gotta go high end. Anything colored is way too hard and impossible to go on if you get a cheap brand. Estee Lauder, etc. all have far softer pencils that glide on easily. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/25 "2009-08-13T21:19:36Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Mascara I _never_ bother buying high end. Drugstore stuff works great (my favorite is the newish Maybelline in the hideous bright yellow with purple metallic lettering tube). > > But for things like eyeshadows? I always prefer high end brands. Wet n Wild (which yes, I’ve used) and drug store brands will always crease horribly into my lids. If I use MAC, Urban Decay, etc., it will stay nicely put on my lids. Since eyeshadows are the things I have most fun with, I’ll generally say that I prefer high end brands, but I have plenty of cheapie mascaras, lip glosses and sticks, etc. I don’t really wear much eyeshadow these days–the stuff I got from MAC was kind of dull, though. Not super bright or anything. I have some Urban Decay stuff that I like. > [@](#): > > Oh, and if I want an eyeliner pencil that’s anything other than black, gotta go high end. Anything colored is way too hard and impossible to go on if you get a cheap brand. Estee Lauder, etc. all have far softer pencils that glide on easily. I only pretty much wear black for my eyeliner, so I guess that explains it. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/26 "2009-08-13T21:20:15Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Mascara I _never_ bother buying high end. Drugstore stuff works great (my favorite is the newish Maybelline in the hideous bright yellow with purple metallic lettering tube). I agree. I’ve been using the Maybelline mascara in the hideous pink and green tube for years, and I love it. I tried mascara by Clinique once and it was gooey and gummy and smeared all over the place. I love other products by Clinique; just not their mascara. > [@](#): > > Oh, and if I want an eyeliner pencil that’s anything other than black, gotta go high end. Anything colored is way too hard and impossible to go on if you get a cheap brand. Estee Lauder, etc. all have far softer pencils that glide on easily. Maybelline also makes an eye pencil that’s soft. I know what you mean about the hard pencils, and they suck. The one I have is pretty worn down, but it looks like it says “Cool Effects.” I have a brown and a blue one, and they’re great. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/27 "2009-08-13T21:24:50Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Huh? Like, did he run into a mirror? She has more than one ex. One is jealous enraged and one is psycho. Brinks can handle them all. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/28 "2009-08-13T21:25:51Z")
> [@BiblioCat](#): > > I agree. I’ve been using the Maybelline mascara in the hideous pink and green tube for years, and I love it. Maybelline Great Lash, right? Pro makeup artists seem to mention that as the best one. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/29 "2009-08-13T21:32:00Z")
> [@TheMadHun](#): > > And my brother has a Rolex that I couldn’t tell from a Walmart clone at two feet away. Are you, uh, sure your bro has a real Rolex? I just ask because my dad bought himself a fancy Rolex a few years ago and when he first mentioned buying it, I flat out told him he was stupid. “$10,000 for a freakin’ watch?\*\* IT’S A GODDAMNED WATCH. Who even wears watches anymore? What the hell is wrong with you?” Then I saw the watch. I, the non believer, was converted. Damn, that is one fine looking watch. Seriously. I mean, I still don’t think I’d ever spend that much money on a watch even if I had it, but it really is a thing of art. I’ve never seen anything in a store that looks anything like it. What blows my mind most is how freakin’ thin it is- it’s just tiny. I’ve seen those old, big, tacky and clunky Rolexes, but this one is so sleek and cool. Then you look at it and it operates so smoothly. I dunno, man, I have no idea how you couldn’t tell the difference. [I think it’s this one, for interested parties, but idk.](http://www.demesy.com/p/50713.html) \*\*It was a big, 50th bday present if I remember correctly. Lots of hardwork means one fancy watch 🙂 > [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Oddly enough, I’ve read that Wet 'n Wild lasts longer than any other make up on the market. I’ve never been able to try to find it to use for myself but I’ve read this in a number of places. They also use it in porn movies because it’s the only thing that stays on. > > ETA: Also, the thirty dollar Dior mascara I bought looks exactly the same on me as the eight dollar one I got at Duane Reade. And a lot of the cheap Sephora brand stuff actually works pretty well. The only thing I think I’d spend more money on is foundation but I think a lot of the other stuff is often a ripoff. Wet and Wild irritates the crap out of my skin- whether it’s the eyeshadows or whatever else. I will say: I use their lip liners sometimes. Their nail polish always chips off in less than a day, the lip gloss tastes like butt. I mean, I imagine that’s what butt tastes like, I can’t really personally confirm. I have a bunch of cheap makeup, too, but no eyeshadows last as long without creasing or hurting my eyes than the Mac stuff. I love it. Foundation and powder? Mac all the way- doesn’t hurt my skin at all. I think the primary difference between the cheap stuff and expensive stuff is texture- a good eye liner is going to go on smoother (and therefore, do less damage to your skin) than a cheaper one. Eyeshadows will blend better, foundation will go on less cakey. As far as mascara, even I- the Mac whore- hate, hate, hate every high end mascara I’ve ever tried. L’oreal Lash Architect all the way. Although, I will say that Mac’s smells like roses- seriously. Which is awesome because partway through the day you’re like, “What’s that fabulous smell? Ah yes, my eyes.” Not worth it for the crappy product, though. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/30 "2009-08-13T21:35:20Z")
Calstar Graphiters are, perhaps, the industry standard for offshore fishing rods. They’re nothing special and better rods can be made at competing prices, yet no one chooses to do so. The offshore crowd, in the west coast, consists of mostly older guys who are afraid of new things. So while the bass fisherman get all the cutting edge equipment, the offshore guys get stuck with yesterday’s technology. ---
**Author:** ![BiblioCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed8c4c/32.png) [@BiblioCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BiblioCat)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/31 "2009-08-13T21:40:00Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Maybelline Great Lash, right? Pro makeup artists seem to mention that as the best one. Yep, that’s it. They haven’t changed the color scheme in 30+ years. I can remember my older sister using it in the early 70s - same pink and green tube! ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/32 "2009-08-13T21:40:35Z")
Maybe we should take this into a make up thread. I always want to talk about make up on the web with other people–Make Up Alley is okay but kind of impersonal. Who’s up for a make up thread, female (and certain male) dopers? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/33 "2009-08-13T21:42:38Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > Maybe we should take this into a make up thread. I always want to talk about make up on the web with other people–Make Up Alley is okay but kind of impersonal. Who’s up for a make up thread, female (and certain male) dopers? Fo shizzle! We have one every so often, but it dies a rather quick death. Make up does not appear to be popular with the Doper set heh. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/34 "2009-08-13T21:46:24Z")
[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11442341#post11442341](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=11442341#post11442341) Okay, hopefully this one will fare better since the make up recommendations seem to be flying in this thread. Let’s go to it, Dopers! ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/35 "2009-08-13T21:46:55Z")
> [@TheMadHun](#): > > I also think “luxury” cars are not all that grand. I know the BMW’s and Jaguar saloons that I’ve ridden in felt cheaply constructed and thin and noisy and rough-riding by US car standards. BMW’s aren’t cheaply constructed by any stretch of the imagination and they certainly aren’t noisy. The doors sound like a vault being shut when you close them. They are built for high speed smooth cruising at 110+ MPH with little noise. Me and my ex-wife have had three of them. They have extremely strong oversized brakes. They also handle so well that all other cars on the road irritate you. Now, the maintenance costs do get out of control really quickly and regular mechanics can’t fix them properly and often refuse to touch them. I can’t speak much for Jaguars but the older ones have a terrible reliability reputation. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/36 "2009-08-13T21:54:01Z")
iPhones I think they’re probably good at what they do, but does every new feature need to be announced as if Apple just invented it from scratch? The latest one is _copy and paste_. Wooo! iPhone has copy and paste! My Treo had copy and paste five years ago, and it wasn’t a new idea even then. ---
**Author:** ![QuarkChild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c5a1d2/32.png) [@QuarkChild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuarkChild)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/37 "2009-08-13T22:16:58Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > BMW’s aren’t cheaply constructed by any stretch of the imagination and they certainly aren’t noisy. The doors sound like a vault being shut when you close them. They are built for high speed smooth cruising at 110+ MPH with little noise. Me and my ex-wife have had three of them. They have extremely strong oversized brakes. They also handle so well that all other cars on the road irritate you. Now, the maintenance costs do get out of control really quickly and regular mechanics can’t fix them properly and often refuse to touch them. I agree with everything you said here. For what it’s worth, my mother has a BMW and it’s constantly in the shop (for expensive repairs). It’s not that old, either. I have a 1998 Honda Civic and never have any issues with it. It doesn’t give you as smooth a ride as a BMW but it is _reliable._ ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/38 "2009-08-13T22:20:29Z")
> [@QuarkChild](#): > > I agree with everything you said here. For what it’s worth, my mother has a BMW and it’s constantly in the shop (for expensive repairs). It’s not that old, either. > > I have a 1998 Honda Civic and never have any issues with it. It doesn’t give you as smooth a ride as a BMW but it is _reliable._ Okay, but obviously you have a different requirement for your vehicle. You want a car that’s reliable and don’t really care if it’s not a smooth ride or can go as fast as well as a BMW. People who buy BMWs want the great driving _experience_ and don’t mind (as much ;)) having to put more repair work into it; it’s all about the ride itself. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/39 "2009-08-13T23:09:16Z")
My nominee for this thread is Harley-Davidson. Now I understand that people are fanatics, but how much of it is because of hype? I’m not a biker person, so I’m hoping someone can come here and explain why a new Harley costs more than many nice cars, especially since, from what I’ve heard, sitting on one for a long trip is quite an unpleasant experience. ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282/40 "2009-08-13T23:40:06Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > Weight loss products and low-fat, low-calorie foods. Usually the best way to lose weight is to eat more fruits and vegetables and eat less crap. The very worst offenders, however, are diet pills. You know, the commercials that say, “Do you have a lot of body fat? Don’t worry! It’s not your fault!” Sometimes it’s not, but that’s a terrible message to send and eschews the user of personal responsibility for their own health. I second low fat foods. Most of the time the fat is just replaced by sugar, or other low quality carbs to make up for the flavor lost by taking out the fat. Most of the time, low fat foods are foods where the fat content of the full fat version isn’t bad, like yogurt. You don’t see low fat donuts or fried chicken. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-products-on-the-market-do-you-think-are-most-overhyped/506282.md?page=3)