Tag: Review

L’Oreal’s Full Wear Concealer Waterproof, Full Coverage has some performance issues and iffy ingredient choices that prevent this concentrated concealer from ranking among the best.

This creamy concealer comes in a plastic tube whose cap-based wand applicator has a larger-than-normal sponge-tip, similar to Tarte’s Shape Tape Contour Concealer. When L’Oreal says this is full coverage, the brand means it; anything more than a dot or two of this and you’ll probably wind up getting more coverage than you anticipated!

At first, this is easy to apply and blend, but do so quickly, as this dries fast and then it won’t budge. The strong matte finish is best for those with normal, combination, or oily skin, as it will emphasize dryness if your skin is on the drier side. As for using this around the eyes, it works but prepping skin in this area with an eye cream or moisturizer helps.

This perfectly covers dark circles, blemishes, and imperfections, and can also serve as a highlighter and contour product as claimed, too. Side note: most concealers can do double or triple duty, and have been doing this for years and years, though recently it’s popped up much more in marketing claims, including those for this product. Due to the amount of coverage you get, we don’t encourage trying this as highlighter or contour unless you’re highly skilled.

We found that this was waterproof as claimed, and barely budged at all during a full day at work. There was no fading, and just the bare minimum of creasing towards the end of its wear time. Not too shabby!

What we don’t like, though, is the inclusion of fragrance and the fragrance ingredient citronellol in the formula. While they’re not high on the ingredient list, the smell is instantly noticeable and lingers, and fragrance puts skin at risk for irritation (to say nothing of putting a fragranced product so near the sensitive eye area).

While this has some standout qualities, there are enough dings against it to keep it from ranking among our best concealers, which include others from L’Oreal and sister brands Maybelline and NYX.

Pros:

• Full coverage of dark circles, blemishes, and imperfections.
• Lasts all day while barely budging or fading.
• Comes in a good range of natural-looking shades for fair to deep skin tones.

Cons:

• Formula dries quickly and is difficult to blend once it sets.
• Contains fragrance and a fragrance ingredient which can irritate skin (and eyes).

Jar Packaging: No

Tested on animals: Yes

Content courtesy of Beautypedia & Nairobi fashion hub 

If you have normal to dry skin and wear foundation, you must check out L’Oreal’s Infallible Glow-Lock Illuminating Primer. It’s an inexpensive, fragrance-free gem that works exactly as claimed!

Dispensed from an opaque squeeze tube, this sheer, soft peach-tinged primer smooths and moisturizes skin on contact. The subtle, skin-warming glow instantly enlivens dull skin without adding sparkles or glitter (which can be overkill when applied all over the face).

We want to emphasize that this primer is best for normal to dry skin; if you have oily or combination skin, this will feel too emollient and the finish will make your oily areas look ultra-shiny.

Bonus points go to this primer for also containing a good mix of antioxidants, including those naturally found in shea butter.

Does the glow last all day? Well, yes but that benefit applies to most glow-enhancing products; however, this primer can double as a moisturizer (something most primers don’t do well) as long as one of the other products in your skincare or makeup routine provides adequate sun protection.

Pros:

• Smooths and moisturizes skin.
• Instantly enlivens dull skin.
• Works well under makeup if you have dry skin.
• Overall good mix of antioxidants, which is unusual for a primer.
• Fragrance free.

Cons:

• None.

Jar Packaging: No

Tested on animals: Yes

Content courtesy of Beautypedia & Nairobi fashion hub

We’ve seen a lot of mascaras come across our desks at Beautypedia, including plenty from L’Oreal, but Unlimited Mascara Washable stands out among them for its ability to live up to every single one of its claims. This fragrance-free mascara just might make you forget about your current favorite-it’s that good!

The most noticeable aspect of this mascara is its packaging: instead of a slim tube, it’s wider at the bottom, with a hinge at the point where you twist the wand out. You can either twist the wand out straight or bend it at a 90-degree angle and then pull it out of the tube. You can bend the wand after it’s out of the tube, though that requires touching the brush and potentially getting mascara on your hands (not to mention contaminating the product inside).

This clever packaging allows for versatile application: you can apply in a straightforward style as usual or use the shortened handle length (when it’s bent) of the brush itself to get to the corners of the eyes. We found it remarkably effective, and were able to coat every lash, even the tiny ones near the tear ducts.

But what really shines here is the marriage of formula, wiper, and brush. It adds significant length and volume to lashes, and a lot of curl, to the point where it looks like you’ve used an eyelash curler. The effect is almost that of wearing a pair of false eyelashes. Lots of mascaras make that claim, but this one actually delivers!

Unlimited Mascara didn’t clump, even after multiple coats, didn’t flake or smudge, and was easy to remove with just cleanser and water. Are you noticing the steps being saved here? You can potentially ditch your lash curler and separate makeup remover.

L’Oreal claims this can last up to 24 hours, and while it did perform remarkably for a full work day, we don’t recommend wearing any makeup that long, as it’s not good for your skin, and, in this case, your eyes.

That aside, this is an exemplary mascara, and one we wholeheartedly recommend.

Pros:

• Bendable brush allows for precision application to every lash.
• Mascara adds significant length, volume, and curl to lashes.
• Doesn’t clump, flake, or smudge.
• Easy to remove.
• Fragrance free.

Cons:

• None.

Tested on animals: Yes

Content courtesy of Beautypedia & Nairobi fashion hub

L’Oreal’s Unlimited Mascara Waterproof is a great mascara that performs as claimed… though it’s not quite as impressive as its washable counterpart.

The first thing you’ll notice about this fragrance-free mascara is its packaging: instead of a slim tube, it’s wider at the bottom, with a hinge at the point where you twist the wand out. You can either twist the wand out straight or bend it at a 90-degree angle and then pull it out of the tube. You can also bend the wand after it’s out of the tube, though that requires touching the brush and potentially getting mascara on your hands.

What this does is allow for straightforward application, or a shortened handle length (when it’s bent) that allows for the brush to reach the corners of the eyes. We found it remarkably effective and were able to coat even the tiniest lash.

The formula here works well to add length, volume, and curl to lashes, resulting in an attractive, slightly-more-enhanced-than-natural look. It doesn’t clump, flake, or smudge, and is waterproof as claimed. You will need a longwearing makeup remover to ensure removal of every trace of it at the end of the day.

All told, it’s a great mascara with great packaging, though we must admit that it doesn’t have quite the blockbuster, false lashes effect as its washable sister. That’s not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind in case you were expecting the same results from both products.

*Note: While this product contains a moderate amount of denatured alcohol, it’s not an issue since lashes are dead and therefore not susceptible to damage, and it doesn’t cause any lash stiffness or dryness.

Pros:

• Bendable brush allows for precision application to every lash.
• Mascara adds moderate length, volume, and curl to lashes.
• Doesn’t clump, flake, or smudge.
• Waterproof as claimed.
• Fragrance free.

Cons:

• Not as impressive as its washable counterpart.

Jar Packaging: No

Tested on animals: Yes

Content courtesy of Beautypedia & Nairobi fashion hub

L’Oreal adds to its concealer lineup with True Match Super Blendable Multi-Use Concealer, a worthy—though not perfect—option for those with oily to combination skin.

The packaging for this fragrance-free concealer is a slim plastic tube with a click-pen dispenser, and a small round sponge at the end.

The sponge allows you to gently dot concealer where needed (especially under eyes) but isn’t the best for blending (it isn’t firm enough to work the product into skin), so it’s best to use your fingers or another sponge instead.

That aside, this provides buildable medium to full coverage of dark circles, redness, and other imperfections. By the way, when it comes to claims that this is the brand’s first “multi-editing concealer,” that’s marketing hype. Most good concealers can serve double or even triple duty, it’s certainly nothing new! L’Oreal’s original True Match Concealer is brilliant for this!

Another note: L’Oreal claims this contains a “serum” of glycerin and the peptide Haloxyl, and while both those ingredients are present here, they’re in nowhere close to a concentration to qualify as a serum-like skin care product. L’Oreal also says this can treat blemishes, but the brand is referring to concealing acne marks and brown spots, not actually treating acne itself, so keep that in mind.

True Match Super Blendable Multi-Use Concealer sets to a natural-looking matte finish that’s best for those with oily to combination skin; those with any dryness will find this emphasizes any areas of dryness. As far as wear time, this doesn’t budge, even during a full day of wear. It begins to crease a little toward the end of its wear time, though this can be blended out relatively easily.

Overall, even though there are a couple of issues with this concealer, it’s one of L’Oreal’s better options.

Pros:

• Buildable medium to full coverage.
• Sets to a natural-looking matte finish.
• Doesn’t fade during its wear time.
• Fragrance free.

Cons:

• Applicator is fine for applying, but not good for blending.
• Creases toward the end of its wear time.

Jar Packaging: No

Tested on animals: Yes

Content courtesy of Beautypedia & Nairobi fashion hub