Last year, I did a review on the L’Oreal Infallible 24H foundation and despite reading mixed reviews about this, I for one really liked it. All those 24-hour hold claims aside, I thought it was a pretty spot-on almost-full coverage foundation. Its finish is quite matte on my skin and it didn’t exacerbate my fine lines.
So when the Matte version of the Infallible 24H foundations was launched, I was pretty excited to try it out. As I have combination skin with a very oily T-zone, I tend to sway towards matte foundations and I was raring to give it a go.
Unfortunately, this was a bit of a letdown. Here’s why.
First of all, I must give credit where credit is due and say props to the packaging. I love it when foundations come in light tube-packaging like this. It’s light enough to travel with and the narrow spout makes it relatively spill-proof. So, aces on the packaging for this one.
This is an incredibly lightweight foundation. In fact, it’s a liquid-to-powder sort of foundation, where it comes out watery and blends to a powder-like finish. This isn’t mentioned in the packaging so make sure you shake the tube well first before dispensing the product because if you don’t, the foundation will come out separated (you’ll see foundation and water).
The foundation blends easily on the skin with a matte finish. Now I love liquid-to-powder foundations (I adore the Nude Magique Eau de Teint) but this one emphasised my fine lines. I have small dry patches on my skin every now and then and when I applied this foundation over those areas, it made those dry patches look worse. The matte finish appears very dry on my skin and looks rather cakey to a degree. It’s almost too matte for my liking, if there’s even such a thing.
Having said that, it does look far better as the hours go by. When the shine on my T-zone starts to appear, the dry patches didn’t look so, er, dry. As the hours progress during the day, the foundation started to give my skin a bit of a satin finish, which is quite lovely.
Another issue I have with this foundation is that while it looked better after a few hours, it didn’t look good on my skin after at least 10 hours. There were streaks of faded foundation on my forehead, sides of my nose (not where my glasses rest on) and chin.
It’s a pity because I was really hoping to like this foundation more than the original Infallible 24H since it’s a lighter one. I had no issues with the latter but I couldn’t get this to work well on my skin. Still, if you have oily to combination skin, it’s still worth checking out because it might work better for you than it did me. Dry-skin folks, I’d suggest staying away from this because it will make your skin look like a desert.
As for the 24-hour longevity claims, well, you know what I think about that. 😛
L’Oreal’s Infallible 24H Matte foundation retails at AU$29.95 for 35ml and is available at major supermarkets nationwide.
What I like about it: Good packaging (if all foundations come in this form of packaging, I’ll be a very happy camper), blends easily on the skin, looks decent on my skin as the hours progress in the day.
What I do not like about it: Doesn’t look good on my skin upon application, emphasised my fine lines and dry patches, streaked on my skin after over 10 hours of wear.
This was actually on my to-try-foundation list as I’ve seen some content creators online loving it, but have to say it’s not on there anymore. Currently really liking foundations that gives a more ‘satin’ glow than matte. I feel like the matte days are over for me haha.
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Me too! I’m liking the ones that give me a satin glow too. For me, I reckon it’s age. My skin isn’t liking that full-matte thing any more. Which is good because there are so many more foundations I can try now! 😀
Yes, there is such a thing as too mate. I have been struggling with this foundation for about a month. I haven’t had issues on the occasional dry patch, but it does look awful on me, too artificial and heavy. It doesn’t feel heavy, though. Even Revlon Colorstay looks way more natural than this one. I imagine that somehow this foundation is good for pics and that’s why everybody loves it. Who knows, I’m not a selfie or Instagram kind of girl. Besides, it becomes a mess on my not-that-oily skin by the four-hour mark. 🙁
Cecilia recently posted..Ronda de mates | Rimmel Show Off
My sentiments exactly, Cecilia. I felt the same too. It looked better after an hour or two, yes, but that initial application just made the skin look heavy. I won’t say it felt heavy but it definitely looked cakey on me. Revlon’s Colourstays are great. In fact, I find it hard to fault any of Revlon’s foundations. They’re comparable to a lot of high end foundations.
Sounds pretty disappointing! Thanks for letting us know, I’ll pass.
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Hehehe glad to be of service! 😀
I haven’t spotted the matte version here in the US, but I’ve tried the Loreal Infallible Pro-Matte version – which I’m wondering if it’s the same thing, but different packaging? Although perhaps there is a matte and demi matte version – not sure.
Anyway, I loved the matte finish, the excellent coverage, and light weight formula .. but this bugger streaks like no other. Ugh, could not blend this into my skin at all .. and sadly ended up tossing it.
Monica.
MonicaP recently posted..Summer days in Palm Desert, CA
Hmm the packaging looks awfully similar. I reckon it could be the same thing, just different names. From the name alone, I’m guessing this is the super matte version. 😛
Oh I know, right? This streaked so bad on me too!
Have to say I actually really liked this! Usually full coverage and matt = total and utter mask like.
I got a tiny sachet in a magazine, so totally the wrong colour (well, actually, not THAT bad, but still – a bit dark really) and thought I would try it before I read this. I found it covered *really* well, but without looking like a mask, which is my usual issue if I can get something to cover my spots/scaring. And it didn’t look cakey on me despite having some drier spotty spots that are on their way out at the moment. I think the key to that is in my prep – recently I’ve had a bit of an outbreak (too stressed for words, and too much face waxing!), so I’ve been using my sample sachets of Philosphy 2 step Micro delivery peel stuff every other day – and I think that made a massive difference to the finish on this.
I only left it on for an hour or so, but was really happy with it – matt and coverage, it didn’t cake into my pores, like full coverage can do I find, and it felt nice as well on my face – I kept stroking my face it felt so velvety actually lol.
So now the only issue is if they do a shade pale enough. Probably not. Sigh.
What shade did you try on? I may have a lighter shade that I can send you. I can’t use it anyway.
I think it was Rose Beige? I’ve tried to find a listing of Aussie shades available, but the L’Oreal site only gives the briefest of details on the foundation, and then refers you to Priceline – who don’t actually have it on their website at all (ARGHGHGHGH).
It was the second to lightest shade I seem to remember going into Priceline to test the lightest shade – I was going to buy it, but decided to wait until they have a sale and its a bit cheaper as I don’t need 3 and the current offer is 3 for 2….I think I need Vanilla?
Curse really terrible Australian websites. Sulk sulk. I’m guessing yours isn’t that light though 🙁 Super thank you for the offer though 🙂 You’re lovely 🙂
Ah yes I have the one in Vanilla! I can’t use it; it’s far too light for me. I’ll send it to you. xx
Hmmm… might skip this then. Don’t want my fine lines popping up!! :/
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If you have dry skin or even normal but leaning towards the dry side, I wouldn’t recommend this for you.