Testing beauty products is part science, part curiosity, and — if I’m honest — a lot of habit. Over the years I’ve developed a practical checklist that helps me separate hype from genuinely helpful formulas, and that’s what I want to share with you. Whether I’m trying a new moisturiser, a cult cleanser, or a bright red lipstick, I use the same framework to evaluate results, safety, texture and real-life wearability. Here’s the step-by-step process I use on Tressy Co, with tips you can apply at home when you’re deciding whether to repurchase a product or recommend it to a friend.

First impressions: packaging, scent and texture

The first five minutes with a product tell you more than you might think. I pay attention to three quick things right away:

  • Packaging — Is it sturdy? Does it protect the product from light and air (important for vitamin C, retinols)? Is the dispenser practical for travel and daily use? A glass jar with a wide opening looks luxe, but I note if air exposure might shorten the formula’s life.
  • Scent — Is it natural or artificially perfumed? How strong is it? For many skin products I prefer minimal fragrance, since strong parfums can irritate. If I smell a heavy floral scent in a daytime SPF, that’s a red flag.
  • Texture & finish — Is the cream heavy, gel-like, or oily? How quickly does it absorb? For example, a “rich” cream that leaves a greasy film won’t work for my oily/combination readers; a gel that melts into skin is more universally wearable.

    • Ingredient check: quality over buzzwords

    I’m not a chemist, but I read labels like a curious editor. I look for active ingredients, concentration hints, and obvious fillers or irritants.

  • Actives first — Where do ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, retinol, vitamin C, or salicylic acid appear in the list? If a product claims to be “with vitamin C” but it’s fifth or tenth on the list, the concentration may be too low to make a real difference.
  • Known irritants — Alcohol denat, strong essential oils, synthetic fragrances can be triggers for sensitive skin. I note them and test cautiously if a product includes them.
  • Stability & delivery — Ingredients like L-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) are unstable in open-air packaging. If a product uses a sensitive active, I prefer pump bottles or airless packaging and transparent claims about formulation stability.

    • Patch testing and the first week

    Before committing to a full-face / hair / body trial, I always patch test. It’s a simple step that saves time and irritation:

  • Apply a tiny amount behind the ear or on the inner arm for 24–48 hours and look for redness, itching, or bumps.
  • Start using the product once daily for the first week to monitor immediate reactions. Sometimes sensitivity appears within days.

    • For actives like retinol or acids, I introduce them gradually—once or twice a week—and build tolerance. If you see strong redness, burning or swelling during the patch test, stop immediately.

    Real-life wear and performance

    Testing a beauty product isn’t a lab experiment. I use products in the same way you would: in the morning rush, on a long day out, and sometimes on a weekend of self-care. Points I track:

  • Duration — For makeup I time how long foundation or lipstick lasts through breakfast, errands and (if applicable) exercise or mask-wearing.
  • Layering compatibility — Does the serum play nicely with sunscreen? Does the moisturiser pill when you add primer? I test products as part of a routine, not in isolation.
  • Effectiveness — For skincare, I look for measurable changes in texture, hydration, breakouts, or tone after 4–8 weeks. For haircare, I note shine, frizz control, weight and scalp reaction after a few washes.

    • Sensitivity, purging and realistic timelines

    One of the trickiest parts of testing skincare is differentiating between irritation, purging and normal adjustment. I follow these guidelines:

  • Irritation — Immediate stinging, burning, or widespread redness usually means stop the product.
  • Purging — If you’re introducing a strong active (like retinoids or chemical exfoliants), small pimples in zones where you typically break out can occur as the skin accelerates cell turnover. Purging often resolves within 4–6 weeks; if it worsens or spreads, discontinue.
  • Adjustment period — A week of slight tightness or flakiness with retinoids or acids can be normal; I reduce frequency rather than ditching the product immediately.

    • Longer-term results: the 4–8 week window

    Skin cell turnover and hair cycles mean many claims need time to prove themselves. I give products 4–8 weeks before rendering a final verdict, unless there are safety concerns.

  • Hydration & barrier repair — You can tell within a week whether a moisturiser is hydrating, but repair of the skin barrier may take several weeks.
  • Anti-aging claims — Noticeable changes from retinoids, peptides or vitamin C can take 8–12 weeks for meaningful differences. I document with photos under consistent lighting.
  • Anti-breakout products — A calming serum or spot treatment should reduce active blemishes within days and reduce new breakouts over weeks.

    • How I score products: my honest review checklist

    I’ve developed a simple scoring grid I use to stay objective. It helps me balance experience vs. marketing. Below is a condensed version I use when writing reviews.

    Category What I look for Why it matters
    Packaging Practical, protects actives, easy to use Preserves formula & improves user experience
    Texture & Scent Comfortable application, not overpowering Daily pleasure affects long-term use
    Ingredients Effective actives, minimal unnecessary irritants Predicts safety & efficacy
    Performance Hydration, wear time, visible results Does the product do what it promises?
    Value Price vs. concentration & results Is it worth repurchasing?

    Transparency & repeatability

    When I publish reviews on Tressy Co I include:

  • How long I used the product (e.g., “4 weeks, daily PM use”).
  • My skin type or hair type (I try to be specific: oily-combination, sensitive with rosacea, fine dry hair, etc.).
  • Any side-by-side comparisons (e.g., “This serum vs. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10%”).

    • This context helps you decide if my experience is relevant to yours. If a product worked for me but might irritate sensitive skin, I say so clearly.

    Practical testing tips you can use

  • Test one new product at a time so you can tell what’s doing what.
  • Keep a short journal: date, product, frequency, any reactions or improvements.
  • Use consistent photos (same light, same angle) if you’re tracking changes like hyperpigmentation or texture.
  • For makeup, test in real life—wear it on a day out, under a mask, in humidity. Lab swatches can be misleading.

    • Brands and examples I often refer to

    Specific examples can be useful. I frequently test crowd-pleasers and niche finds: La Roche-Posay and CeraVe for barrier-friendly basics, The Ordinary for transparent actives, Charlotte Tilbury or NARS for makeup formulas that balance performance and elegance. But I approach every product with the same checklist—good packaging and marketing can’t replace evidence from a real-life trial.

    At the end of the day, testing is about being honest: with the product, with the reader, and with myself. I aim to provide reviews that are practical, repeatable and kind to your time and skin. If you’d like, I can share printable versions of this checklist or a template for your own testing journal — just say the word.