How’s it going, you guys!? I’ve been having such a blast doing these posts and getting to chat with some of you. I am so glad to put a face to the beautiful people I’m writing to.
Oh, how is my day going, you ask? Well, let me tell ya. I accidentally fell asleep on the couch in the middle of the day while my son Kai was hanging out in the living room with me (I promise, that is a very rare occurrence).
He knows when to take advantage of people, like when his mom is too tired to function, so he found a blue marker somewhere, somehow, and scribbled all over our beige microfiber couch…
Not cool, Kai, not cool.
Get ready, Karen, because Connor will destroy everything you hold dear! 🙂
So, in light of today’s events, I am locking myself in the bedroom while my dear husband takes his turn at scrubbing the couch, and I’m going to chat with you guys about L’Oréal. That should cheer me up!
I have a theory about L’Oréal…
Let me explain. Did you know that they actually own tons of different brands, including a bunch of high end brands like YSL, Lancome, Georgio Armani, and Urban Decay?
Cool huh? But back to my theory.
I think because they’re involved with so many high quality brands, their makeup is actually comparable quality, just at a much cheaper price.
That would make sense, right? Again, just a theory.
Another great thing about the brand is that they do absolutely no testing on animals, and they haven’t since 1989. That is such a cool accomplishment in my eyes.
OK, let’s get to the makeup.
Using (mostly) L’Oréal makeup, I created this look here…
First I tried L’Oréal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation, and if you haven’t heard of these new cushion foundations, they’re basically sponges soaked in foundation and put into a compact.
Weird, right? I’m a little confused by the whole concept myself, but tons of brands have been doing them, so there must be some perk!
I actually thought it was super convenient. It comes with a little puff that you dip into the product, then pat on your face. I like it because you don’t need a separate brush. Everything you need is right there, although you totally could use another brush or sponge if you like the application better. Just make sure anything you dip in there is super clean. It seems like this product could be a playground for nasty bacteria.
The coverage is pretty light but does build up to be about a medium coverage. I don’t think you’d be able to get up to full coverage with this one. As you can see below, it won’t cover any massive creatures chillin’ on your chin.
As the name suggests, it also gives you the most gaw-geous luminous glow, and I’m all about dat glow. This one is a real winner for me!
Next up is this cute little brow kit, the L’Oréal Brow Stylist Prep & Shape Pro Kit. This one here is in shade “medium to dark”.
How great would this be just to chuck in your bag and have for touch-ups?! It comes with a wax, a powder, a little angled brush with a spoolie on the end, and a pair of little tweezers.
I think the product itself is excellent, but it’s just not for me, just like every other powder brow product I’ve tried. I think that powders don’t work for my brows because, let’s be honest, they’re kind of massive.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my full brows, but I feel like powders just make them look too huge and fuzzy. That probably makes no sense, but pencils just work so much better for me.
If you love using powders and waxes on your brows, get this. I really think you’ll love it.
Ugh, great. I’ve discovered more great eye shadows, which means that I have to buy every shade, and I really don’t need any more.
“Why not just show some restraint and not get more, Jen?” you may ask. Well, because I am an addict, so I don’t have a choice. At least that’s the story I’m going with.
The shadows I’m talking about are the L’Oréal Colour Riche Monos Eye Shadows. I’m regretting ever using the descriptive word “buttery” for another eye shadow because I really need to use that word for these.
They’re just so buttery! — like literal butter. It’s actually a little bit trippy. They’re a powder, but they almost feel like a cream. The pigmentation is amaze-balls (also wishing I saved that word for these), too, as is the blendability.
I used the shade called “Green Promenade” all over the lid, “Little Beige Dress” as a transition shade, and “Cafe Au Late” to deepen the outer corner.
Then I wanted to try out the L’Oréal Voluminous Superstar Red Carpet Black Flash Reflecting Mascara. This one has two steps — a priming step, then the actual black mascara. When I applied the primer I had super high hopes for how my lashes were going to turn out, and after putting on the white primer, my lashes looked super long and separated, so I thought, “Perfect! Now I’ll just put on the second step, and that’ll add some volume. Then my lashes will look perfect! Woo!”
Sadly, my dreams were shattered. When I put on the second step, it was like Clump City all up in my lashes. It took a lot of work to even get them to look decent, so I’m going to have to give this one a thumbs down.
Now let’s contour! My favorite step. Nothing feels better than going from a circle face to looking like you have real life cheek bones. The L’Oréal Infallible Pro Contour Palette will give you those cheek bones we all see in our dreams. I used the “light” one, and the contour color was just perfect. Not too orange, so it mimics how a shadow would look. I used this literally every day since I tried it, and I haven’t even thought about some of my more expensive options.
The highlight, I don’t use as much. It’s nice though — just a light, semi shimmery powder that looks good on top of the cheek bones. I still use another hardcore highlight on top because I’m just so hardcore. The little brush it came with went strait in the garbage because it was just weird, so I’d use whatever brush you already love for contouring.
Last, but most definitely not least, I tried the L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss. These are unlike any other lip product I’ve tried. The consistency reminds me of — now I know this is super weird, but bare with me — mashed potatoes.
Wait, what?
Not in a nasty, gritty way, but a delightfully frothy (?) way… Honestly, just ignore my bizarre descriptive words, and try it for yourself.
They’re moisturizing and comfortable, but matte. They don’t settle into the dry patches or lines on your lips, which make them look super smooth and kissable. Two thumbs up.
Phew! That was a long one. If you guys have made it this far with me, let me know what your favorite drugstore brand is and why!
It doesn’t surprise me that something as oxymoronic as “matte gloss” would have the consistency of something so random and un-makeuppy as mashed potatoes. lol… Still, my curiousity is now piqued! And I’m happy to know that L’Oréal is widdit on the no animal testing policy.
Haha it’s really something you have to try to understand what a “matte gloss” is! I hope you’ll give them a try, they’re really great! 🙂
I have the mascara and it does ok. It’s not the greatest but when it does work, it makes my lashes look awesome. I didn’t know that L’Oreal owned so many brands. I discovered not too long ago that Smashbox owns NYX, which explains why NYX is a good makeup brand, too, for drugstore beauty.
I also love eye makeup! I have way too much. It’s an addiction when you love enhancing your eye color. You have really pretty eyes! Mine are a green hazel, so I love using a lot of purples and bronzes to bring out the color. I have more purple eyeshadow than I know what to do with.
I’m so glad the mascara works for you! Maybe I’ll need to try it a few more times to see if I could get it to work. I didn’t know that about NYX, how cool is that!
I just bought a L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Gloss the other week and I love it! The formula is amazing and I really like the applicator.
I love the applicator too! It makes it easy to just slap it on their really fast.
Oh my, I have no idea how to delete my comment and re-do it. I meant THERE! Haha sorry I just had to correct myself 😉
Hate to burst your bubble but they aren’t 100% CF. They manufacture in countries that allow or require animal testing and they pay to have their cosmetics tested on animals to get entry into the Chinese and Brazilian markets.
Ah man that’s too bad, thanks for letting me know!
Your theory about Loreal quality is spot on. Way back in the day, when I was in high school, I bought, loved and preferred Loreal makeup. Then in college I started using Lancôme, which was a stretch on a college budget. One day, a woman at the Lancôme counter mentioned they owned Loreal ( I want to say the parent company was Cosmair). My every day blush was called Cappucine. After that I walked into the drugstore and there was my blush in the Loreal section. Same color and even the same name! Just different packaging – it was a deep plum back then. Their mascaras are the only drugstore brand I use. I would notice that when Lancôme would launch a new mascara a month later Loreal would launch a similar kind, slightly different name, different packaging. I don’t know if they duplicate on that level any more, though. Check out their other eyebrow products – there is a gel/mascara kind that is very similar to Gimme Brow w/o the disgusting smell and their new (?) Brow Stylist Definer is a dupe imo for Anastasia Brow Wiz – and is only $9.99. When I do drugstore cosmetics they are almost exclusively the only brand I use and definitely the first I look at. I’d been eying the shadows so thanks for the review!
That’s crazy! I wish I could find some exact replicas like that! I actually use the brow gel that you’re talking about all the time, it’s my all time favorite! Next on my list in the pencil you’re talking about, Brow Wiz is the best brow pencil there is!
How does the matte gloss smell? Sometimes L’Oréal lip products have a funky smell (although their balm in Nourishing Nude is my favorite thing ever)
I didn’t notice any smell at all so it shouldn’t bother your nose. 🙂
Maybe they’ve cut back on it in recent years, because their tinted balm used to have a terrible smell / taste before they reformulated. I also used to work at a Lancôme counter (subsidiary of L’Oréal) and the lipsticks there had this powdery floral smell too. So gross.
I actually have a lipstick from them that kind of has what you’re talking about. It almost makes my throat feel scratchy when lip products smell like that! But luckily with this one I didn’t notice any sort of weird smell or taste!
I also have an eyeshadow addiction; I’d rather do my eyes than my lips. I’ve been eyeing (pun intended!) the eyeshadows, especially the green & teal shades. My concern is the wear time & creasing as I have oily lids. I do use primer which helps.
I’ve been on a Maybelline kick lately. I love the little pots of color tattoo shadows (not the leather as I found it too tacky to work with). The tattoo sticks are next on my list to try. I’m also loving the Blushed Nudes palette. I wanted to see if I’d actually use a palette before I spent more money on UD or MUFE.
Thanks for your reviews & good luck with cleaning the couch! My nieces (2 & 4 yrs old) have at various times colored on, peed on, dumped juice on, & vomited on my brother & sister-in-law’s microfiber couch. She uses rubbing alcohol to remove the “dirt” & then it dries really fast since the alcohol evaporates.
I’m the same way, unless i’m going through a lipstick phase, it’s all about eye shadow for me! I have SUPER oily lids as well that crease pretty quickly, but I actually forgot to prime before this look, and these shadows stayed put all day long! It was somewhat of a miracle.
I can not wait to give the tattoo sticks a try! I’ve tried a few of the color tattoos but they just dry out and feel too gunky for me, so I can’t wait to give these a try!
That is actually exactly what we ended up using on the couch, thank you Google! Luckily it lifted it all out. Thank you so much for letting me know though, that would’ve saved the day 🙂
Which color of the Pro Matte Gloss is that? I’d like to try it! I usually avoid buying drugstore lip products because I can’t return them if the color doesn’t work for me.
On the cushion compact – did you find it cooperated with concealer on blemishes? Sometimes moist foundations and drier concealers don’t mix well on the skin – what was your experience?
I was wondering which lip color it was too. 🙂 It’s so pretty!! Jen Clark, do you have any other colors that you could do other swatches with? 🙂 (And maybe a close up of the one you’re wearing in this post?) Loved the post!
Hey Ginger! The color is in Bare Attraction! I do have a few other shades, I will definitely do swatches as soon as I can get a chance. 🙂
The lip color is in Bare Attraction, it’s really nice, kind of an orange toned nude. I actually use quite a moist concealer as well, the Revlon Colorstay concealer, and they work really well together! I’ll have to try it with a drier concealer and see how that works!
You have such a pretty youthful face! <3 I actually swatched that cushion compact today. For some reason I was expecting to be wowed but I wasn't. Then again how much can a quick arm swatch wow one, right?
You’re so sweet thank you so much! I will agree with you, it wasn’t quite what I had expected either. I have no idea what I was expecting though haha! If you like really liquid-y, lightweight foundations I think you’ll really like it.
I loved this run down! It’s always nice when you can get quality products at a lower price.
I agree! It seems like the drugstore brands are really stepping up with their quality lately. 🙂
A real pretty look you showed us, I love the eye makeup! Although I like L´Oréal as a brand (and just got myself the contour kit, yay), I´d go with Max Factor as my favorite drugstore brand. They aren’t available in the States, but around Europe, and really are worth trying.
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you liked it. 🙂 I’ve heard so much about Max Factor on YouTube from all the British girls that I watch and it sounds amazing! If I ever get over there you better believe I’ll be getting 2 of everything!
Dang it! You killed me with the eye look! Just killed me! What a great look you put together! Now I’m thinking about picking up some of those shadows, too. Like I need more? I agree with you about your brows, and I have the same issue. Brow waxes & powders don’t work for my naturally full brows. Give me a pencil any day. So, my fave drugstore brand? Definitely Wet n Wild lippies. They’ve got some real stellar formulas & three of them have made holy grail status. Milani is a close second as they make some great blushes and the eye shadows they released last year (can’t remember the name!) rival some of the higher end brands. Sorry about your couch. That’s a real bummer. I love kids so much. I’d prolly be crying & laughing at the same time if it were me. Great post as per usual 🙂
You are so nice, thank you! You will absolutely love the shadows, get them! What is you’re favorite Wet n Wild lip formula, I have a couple of the matte ones and I really like them! I haven’t tried any others though. Oh my gosh I love Milani blushes, that’s all I’ve tried from them though! What should I try next?
My favorite lash primer is the Estee Lauder Little Black Primer because I always miss a spot when applying mascara and this way I don’t have any white show through. A SA told me that you should apply mascara while the primer is still wet. Another SA told me you should wait for the primer to dry then apply the mascara. So if you tried it one way and weren’t happy with the results, I would try it the opposite way and see if it’s any different. Who knows, maybe the results will be better.
Was the marker water based or permanent? You could try dampening paper towel with rubbing alcohol (swatch test in a hidden spot first to make sure it doesn’t lift the fabric dye) and then pressing it and lifting it off the the stain. You want to make sure you don’t rub because that will just spread the stain. And you want to keep rotating the paper towel to a clean area so that you’re not transferring the stain all around. When the fabric seems saturated with alcohol, let it dry and then blot with water dampened paper towel to see how much of the stain is lifted. You might have to repeat. This has been the best method for lifting marker or ink stains that I have tried.
Thank you so much for the suggestion! I never thought to try it while the primer was still wet, I’ll have to give that I try with this one for sure. Rubbing alcohol is actually what we used to finally get out the stain! Thank goodness for that, I would have been so sad haha
So…about that couch. Marker comes off with hair spray. Trust me. My son colored our couch with green sharpie.
Oh my marker on the couch! I hope that comes out. My friend swears by the laundry stain remover “Shout.” But wear gloves if you use it. I think it has peroxide or something in it.
I love your review. I’m not surprised that the mascara wasn’t so great. I actually dislike L’Oreal’s eyeliners and mascaras. I feel like they should be called “Fallible.” Anyway, the eye shadows look awesome. I will have to check them out next time I have a coupon!
Thank heavens we finally got the stain out, we ended up using rubbing alcohol and it lifted the stain out! Haha fallible mascara, that’s what i’m going to call it now 🙂 Yes, go for the shadows when you can, you will die they are so good!
Even though you don’t need an ounce of makeup, this is a beautiful look you have going on!!
I did gag a bit at the mashed potato consistency comparison! 😀
Aw you’re so nice thank you so much! Haha what?! You don’t like the thought of smearing mashed potatoes all over your lips??