What has happened to Boots No 7?

[NinaDefoe]

I bulk buy their Stay perfect compact foundation, Flawless pressed powder and Stay perfect concealer and am about to run out.

I have used them for years and it was by far the best budget range foundation for my skin.
Great range of colours, lovely creamy foundation - perfect for my skin.

I went to buy more and No 7 have redesigned everything.

The packaging is so awful, cheap, tacky and screams true ‘budget makeup’.
It used to be all black (like Chanel 😀)

The ‘Medium’ pressed powder I have used forever is now orange and doesn’t come with a pad to apply it, the foundation compact I have relied on for years is ‘not available in store’.
I daren’t order it without seeing it first in case the colour has been changed too.

Has anyone else noticed?

Why do companies mess with products that have been brilliant for so many years?

Can anyone recommend an alternative?

Oh no no no! I can’t bring myself to look and see if they’ve changed or discontinued the perfect match foundation. I’ve used this for 20 years now and couldn’t cope without it!

@MrsMcCluskeysCat thank you! That looks alright. I'm going to the shops this morning so I'll see what my local is offering up.

If anyone finds any Wheatsheaf eyeshadow in their stores please buy then all and contact me and I will send you the money for them!

Funnily enough I returned the new design ‘medium’ powder last week as if it was so awful compared to its predecessor. The member of staff who served me said that they had nothing but complaints about the brand overhaul.

@RoseRedRoseBlue

Funnily enough I returned the new design ‘medium’ powder last week as if it was so awful compared to its predecessor. The member of staff who served me said that they had nothing but complaints about the brand overhaul.

Maybe I should return mine. I feel sorry for the No.7 assistants! 😓

I went to our local Boots to check this out yesterday. Agree the new packaging is shit. Managed to get hydraluminous in Calico so will try it and see if it's any different. It was the last one in stock.

They had a stand where they were selling off the old stock for £5, loads and loads of dark shades, nothing for pale skin. The new range had a lot of dark shades too I thought.

I totally get the desire to be inclusive for every shade, but surely it should be tailored to individual locations? I live in a small semi-rural Scottish town which must be about 98% (very) pale skinned people. I can't imagine they are going to sell half their stock.

Oh no. My powder shade has been out of stock for a while, I guess while they switched. Now I might never get it back...

Try findation.com to see what matches your shade in other brands. It really is a great resource- I've used it several times when I wanted to try a different brand but was unsure which shade would be right for me ( and less £££ than the NARS sheer glow which I love)

The packaging is truly awful. Cheap plasticky and clinical looking. I bought my usual mascara and it’s definitely been clumpier than before. Will be on the lookout for new brands to replace with as and when I run out. So frustrating!!

Back in the 90s their concealer sticks were amazing; there was nothing else like it. It kind of went on like a matt powder rather than a shiny cream. I'm not sure when they changed it but about 10 years ago it became like all the other concealers, kind of creamy and shiny. So disappointing...Why do they do this?

@IKissedSantaClaus any update on the Hydraluminous? I also use calico and will cry if it’s changed.

Ah... up to 50% off their terrible new products.
I wonder if they’re struggling to sell them?
See pic.

Or maybe it’s just that time of the year?
Still annoyed! 🤣

@Ostryga sorry for the delay, just trying out the new hydraluminous today. In the interests of science I have done half my face in the old one and half my face in the new one so far, so good. They seem pretty similar. That's a relief!

I too have used Wheatsheaf for years and have now been looking for an alternative.

Revlon Colourstay Creme Eyeshadow 730 Praline is the closest I've found so far. It's more creamy but comes in a single pot with a built in brush.
It's a fairly good colour match. Also there is Max Factor 05 Fervent Ivory- wild shadow pots - more powdery and paler pearl. Hope this helps someone x

I'm clearly late to the party and a quick search brought me here.

I haven't bought any make up since waaay before covid but am now in need of a refresh.

Went to the local No7 counter yesterday. The new branding/packaging is awful! Very cheap and nasty. Perhaps it's post-pandemic shortages, but there seemed to be a limited range and very little stock. I came away feeling very disappointed.

I agree. The packaging is cheap and nasty and the products are not the same as they were.

@IKissedSantaClaus did the new Hydraluminous work out ok ?
I had orders one as saw reviews of the old one and apparently new one is awful??? But online the ingredients for old And new are identical I wondered if you had a review of the new one as I’m worried I’ve wasted my money !!!

WHY do companies do this? To save money? Surely they lose more by pissing their customer base off

It is really odd when products sell well and they get lots of good feedback.

However, I think they often change formulations when ingredients become unavailable more expensive than they want to pay or they are banned. The EU has recently banned lilial for example (it will be banned in the UK too) which is used in Olaplex, amongst other things. It is good to ban ingredients which might potentially be bad for us, but it's a shame when it ruins a previously good product.

They also change ingredients for more environmentally-friendly ones.

(it's the same with Liz Earle, which is also owned by the same company that owns Boots) - loads of complaints about reformulated products on their Facebook page

Hi Friend of Dorothy, I'm having a sort out and come across lots of new No7 items, which I have listed on Ebay. Incl No7 Wheatsheaf eyeshadow, if you are interested. bunny500 x

Yes I am interested!!

Those of you looking for No 7 Wheatsheaf. It’s back. I bought one in store today!!