Edward Bess Lipgloss

I really don't want to be writing this. Because it's a bad review of something I really want to love, coming from a source that I adore. But I feel it's important to be honest. And not give Edward Bess uniformly stellar reviews just because he has a good reputation. 


*** Before I continue, I would like to point out that these are my personal opinions, and are based on what's essentially hearsay, so please treat it as such. I haven't spoken to Edward Bess himself and confirmed any of his manufacturing practices. ***

Anyway, almost three months ago I bought three lipglosses, French Lace, Amor, and First Kiss. Honestly, I was seduced by the presentation. I mean, look at that bow?!? And the colors are capital A-amazing, with not a single glitter particle in sight. Everything down to the names of the colors were enchanting. At $75 for three glosses, the price was really good too, so I was sold.

I tried them on the back of my hand before buying, and obviously didn't scrutinize the formula closely enough. Once I got them home and tried them on the lips, I found the formula lacking. I gave them the best shot I could. But when it really came down to it, I found these so low quality as to be not worth wearing. Especially when I have so many other glosses that I like. These lipglosses embodied everything that I hate about lip products. They were very sticky and sheer. I had to dip the applicator in five six seven times to get enough for my lips, and my lips are not dark to begin with. The instant I went outside and experienced a slight breeze, or even if I turned my head too quickly, my hair stuck to my lips and spread the ooey gooey honey like gloss all over my face. Not to mention the sticky damage done to my tresses. Think mac lipgloss, only WORSE. The horror, right?

So this came as a huge shock. Everything I've ever tried from Edward Bess has been high quality and worth raving about. So I thought on it. And did a little investigating. And unfortunately realized the hard truth: Edward Bess is moving production to Taiwan. Manufacturing in Taiwan is not a bad thing in and of itself, but the unfortunate consequence of moving production means that the formulas are inevitably changed, and most likely changed to a lower quality. Up to this point, most of the line was manufactured in the U.S. Which is really win win from a consumer's perspective. It means that the country of origin of the brand is one and the same with the country of operation. In other words, jobs for Americans, and a closer relationship between the brand owner and the manufacturer. Maybe it wouldn't come as such a blow if he were moving production to, say, France, or Canada. Partially because I feel that the labor laws and practices in those countries are probably a little better. But what it really comes down to is that Dolce & Gabbana is made in Italy, MAC is made in Canada, Dior is made in France, Paul & Joe is made in Japan, and so on. The moral? Keep it close to home. 


And you can't tell me that the bottom line isn't profit here. A big reason why production is ever moved overseas is to reduce production costs. For example, I notice that Edward Bess will be changing the packaging of his lipsticks from a metal case to a plastic one. That's got to be a budget cut right there. 


I really like Edward Bess, both what his brand stands for, and as a person, so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe there are a lot of good reasons to move production to Taiwan, I don't know. But the ultimate consequence is the same. Unless the brand is Taiwanese, I just can't justify paying top dollar for something made there, I'm sorry.


Now I feel guilty. I'm going to have to reach back into my stash for my beloved Edward Bess Eyeshadows and write them a rave review. . .