This comprehensive review dives deep into the vast world of L'Oréal makeup, offering an honest assessment of over 200 products. From primers and foundations to mascaras, eyeliners, and lipsticks, we've explored the brand's extensive range, highlighting both its standout performers and areas needing improvement. This detailed rundown covers a wide spectrum of product types, providing valuable insights into texture, wearability, and overall performance, helping you navigate the L'Oréal lineup and discover your next beauty must-haves.Based on extensive testing and personal experience, this review offers a balanced perspective, celebrating L'Oréal's successes while acknowledging its shortcomings. We'll pinpoint specific products that excel in their categories, as well as those that fall short of expectations. Whether you're a seasoned makeup enthusiast or a curious newcomer to the L'Oréal brand, this review provides an invaluable resource for making informed purchasing decisions and building your perfect makeup collection.
Pros And Cons
- Evened out skin tone
- Easy to blend
- Buildable coverage
- Doesn't cake or crease
- Natural finish
- Has a pump
- Waterproof
- Good for waterline
- Smooth texture
- Nice color payoff
- Kickback
- Volumizing
- Doesn't look chunky or bunchy
Read more: 5 Best Bronzers for Medium Skin Tones
Primer Showdown: Studio Secrets vs. Infallible
L'Oréal offers a surprising array of primers. The Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base is a clear winner for me; it's a fantastic smoothing primer that creates a flawless base for foundation, especially for those with drier skin. It's a thicker consistency, providing a very smooth application.
On the other hand, the Infallible Pro Glow Lock Primer and other primers from the Infallible line are less impressive. While not bad, they don't stand out from the crowd and haven't become personal favorites.
Foundation Favorites: True Match vs. Infallible
L'Oréal's foundation game is strong. The Infallible Pro Matte Liquid Longwear foundation is a go-to for those who prefer a demi-matte finish. It provides excellent coverage, is transfer-proof, and doesn't crease or highlight dry patches. I've done extensive wear tests on this one!
However, my absolute favorite is the Infallible 24 Hour Freshwear Foundation. It evens out my skin tone beautifully, providing buildable coverage without caking or creasing. The pump is a huge plus. While the True Match foundation is decent, the Freshwear surpasses it in terms of overall performance and feel.
Concealer & Powder Picks
I'm currently not particularly impressed with L'Oréal's concealers; they haven't quite reached the same level as my go-to Maybelline and other brand favorites. The formulas are either too thin or too thick, often creasing or feeling heavy.
Their loose powders, however, are a different story. Both the Infallible Pro Sweep & Lock and the Infallible Tinted Loose Setting Powders are excellent options for setting makeup, offering a natural finish without looking cakey or overly matte or dewy.
Blush & Bronzer: Hits and Misses
The Age Perfect Radiant Satin Blush is a miss for me. The color selection is odd and the undertones are too vibrant, resulting in a lackluster payoff. The True Match Super Blendable Blush, however, is a complete opposite.
The True Match Super Blendable Blush is a standout product. It provides a naturally flushed look that's both buildable and long-lasting. The luxurious texture and blendability are superior to many other drugstore blushes. The True Match Lumi Bronze Bronzer is another large pan favorite, perfect for a natural sun-kissed look.
Mascara Magic: Lash Paradise Reigns Supreme
L'Oréal excels in the mascara department. Lash Paradise is a personal favorite; it provides incredible volume without clumping, perfect for those with thin lashes. Voluminous Mascara is another strong contender.
While other mascaras in their range are decent, Lash Paradise and Voluminous consistently deliver superior volume and length without the need for falsies. The newer burgundy Voluminous mascara is also a pleasant surprise.
Eyeliners & Brow Products: A Mixed Bag
L'Oréal's eyeliner selection is extensive but not uniformly excellent. The Infallible Flash Cat Eye and Pro Last Waterproof Pencil liners are standout performers, especially for precise application and long wear. Others are merely adequate.
Their brow products are a mixed bag. The Brow Stylist Pomade and Definer are decent, but overall, the selection doesn't offer much innovation or excitement. Those with naturally fuller brows may find them more useful.
Eyeshadow & Setting Spray: Paradise Found
The Paradise Enchanted Scented Eyeshadow Palette is a surprisingly high-performing product. The buttery texture and blendability are exceptional, although there's noticeable kickback. Other L'Oréal palettes, particularly those with peachy tones, also receive high marks.
The Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray is another winner. It effectively extends makeup wear and is a great drugstore alternative to more expensive setting sprays. The Shaken Glow mist is also liked, although the ingredients may cause irritation for some skin types.
Lip Products: Gloss, Liners, and Liquid Lips
L'Oréal's lip glosses and liners consistently impress. The Infallible Pro Gloss is a standout, offering vibrant color, long wear, and a comfortable feel. Their lip liners are also exceptional, providing precise application and a creamy texture.
Their liquid lipsticks, while offering excellent long-wear and intense color, tend to be quite drying and have a strong scent that's not for everyone. The older collections, such as the macaron and chocolate lines, received overwhelmingly positive feedback for their wear time, despite the drying nature.
Overall L'Oréal Makeup Assessment
L'Oréal consistently delivers high-quality drugstore makeup. Their foundation, mascara, and lip liner selections are exceptional, offering a wide range of shades and formulas to suit various skin types and preferences. Some products, such as the Infallible 24 Hour Freshwear Foundation, are standout performers.
While some items, particularly certain concealers and eyeshadow palettes, may not impress everyone, L'Oréal’s commitment to affordability and quality makes it a strong competitor in the drugstore makeup market. They consistently surprise with both innovative formulas and classic favorites.