Pros:
- texture feels silky
- applies smoothly
- great pigmentation when used with a primer
- doesn't crease when used with a primer
- lasts at least 12 hours without fading
Cons:
- fallouts during application
- application can be a little tricky, depending on what tool you use
- these are not wrapped in plastic seal
Top: 557 Glistening Garnet ~ 556 Smoldering Plum
Bottom: 335 Golden Emerald ~ 800 Bottomless Java
(Do not discard the flattener!)
Packaging: Although the jars are made of plastic, I don't find them to look cheap. However, they don't have a plastic seal wrapped around them. So, it's difficult to tell if anyone has tampered them with their grimy fingers.
When you unscrew the cap, there's a little "flattener" that's supposed to secure the product in place and prevent it from going everywhere. Do not discard this because the product will get loose the more you use it and you will then have to use the "flattener" to re-press the eyeshadow.
Application: The L'oreal Infallible eyeshadows are essentially pressed pigments with a creamy texture to them. They all apply smoothly and offer intense pigmentation when used with a dense brush, such as the MAC 239 brush (full review). I also tried applying them with my fingers and they do apply more smoothly and evenly, but the pigmentation was not as intense as when I used a brush. I still prefer to use a brush because it's more sanitary, it gives me better control and I get better color payoff.
I find that the eyeshadows blend away easily and they turn into a "muddy" look on my NC35/37 skin tone if i use a heavy hand and a dense brush, such as the Sonia Kashuk blending brush (mini review). I end up having to reapply the product to bring back the intensity of the color. However, I didn't have a problem when I used a light hand and a fluffy brush, such as the MAC 217.
I did experience some minor fallouts with Glistening Garnet, Smoldering Plum and Bottomless Java during application. Golden Emerald was the only one that was a little bit more troublesome to work with because it contains tiny gold sparkles. However, it's not a huge problem for me because I usually do my eye makeup before I apply my foundation. So, I can easily wipe away the mess with makeup remover. (To prevent major fallouts, use a dense brush and tap off any excess before applying and/or use a tacky base. Also, in order for the product to adhere better onto the lids and for a more intense, metallic look, spritz some MAC Fix+ or water onto the brush before applying.)
As for longevity, I didn't experience any creasing and they all last at least 12 hours without fading when worn with a primer underneath. (I have oily lids, so I never test eyeshadows without a primer.)
557 Glistening Garnet is a fuschia pink with a frost finish. Stars Makeup Haven Wine Not is more purple, MAC Cranberry is more red and Plum Dressing & Hepcat are less red-based.
When I saw other people's swatches, I thought it was going to look too light and disgustingly red on my NC35/37 skin tone. It definitely makes my eyes look swollen, sick and scary when worn as an "all over the lid" color. However, it looks lovely on my crease, especially when I wear a light champagne shade (MAC Jest or Urban Decay Sellout) on my lids and a dark brown shade on my outer v (MAC Embark). Using that combination, Glistening Garnet looks less garish (on me) and more sultry.
556 Smoldering Plum is a dark blackened plum with reddish-purple shimmers. I love using it on my outer v and the gorgeous purple undertone really comes out when paired with other purple and pink eyeshadows.
(picture taken during a sunny day under the shade)
800 Bottomless Java is an espresso brown with bronze shimmers. I thought this was going to be very similar to many other eyeshadows that I have, but I was wrong. As you can tell from the swatches, Bottomless Java is much darker and definitely different enough for me, personally, to warrant the purchase. (Maybe you have something similar to Bottomless Java in your collection? Let me know!)
(picture taken during a rainy day)
(picture taken during a cloudy day)
335 Golden Emerald is a forest green with tiny gold sparkles. The swatch picture does not do this eyeshadow any justice. When worn on the eyes, it looks VERY sparkly and almost like liquid metal. The glitters are not chunky; instead, they look more like tiny specks of gold shimmer. Urban Decay Mildew, MAC Humid and Inglot AMC Shine 44 are not as sparkly, wet-looking or eye-catching. I just can't stress enough how gorgeous Golden Emerald looks. This is my favorite of the bunch. I will definitely be wearing this during the holidays!
(Because of the amount of fallouts with this eyeshadow, I strongly recommend using a tacky base or applying it wet. Be sure to use a dense brush and tap off the excess before applying. Also, cleanup will be much easier if you apply your eye makeup first before applying your foundation.)
Bottom Line: I recommend grabbing these shades if you're a fan of metallic & frosty eyeshadows and don't mind dealing with minor fallouts because the pigmentation and lasting power are amazing, especially when used wet or with a tacky base.
Note: Each L'oreal Infallible 24 HR eyeshadow contains 3.5g of product and is available at Ulta, Target, and drugstore.com for around $7. As with any drugstore product, I would definitely wait for a sale because there is always a "buy one, get one half off" or even a "buy one, get one for free" sale.
*This post also contains affiliate links. None of the products mentioned are sponsored.
Please click here for a review and swatches of Part 1. Do you like to wear them dry, wet, or over a tacky base?
