L'Oreal Color Riche La Palette Lips Review

I recently spoke about my new obsession with Lip Palettes and I know I am so late to the game. I have no idea why on earth I have never thought about investing in one  these past years. I guess most of the ones I came across were either super expensive, had bad quality or super dodgy colours. I now have a little collection of Lip Palettes which I love including the Fake Bake Beauty Lip Palette and the Seventeen All Out Pout Lip Palettes.  I feel like Lip Palettes are really easy to use on the go and when you are travelling. I have to say the Lip Palette that made me fall absolutely in love is none other than the L’Oreal Color Rich La Palette Lips. The packaging is undeniably beautiful and I just had to pick it up. I bought two and have had them for a few good weeks as my closest Boots store seem to have new releases like a week before they are released. I am not complaining at all, bring it on Boots.

 

Packaging

I was really tempted to write “Let’s take a moment to appreciate the packaging” but I am restraining myself. But seriously, how incredibly gorgeous is the packaging? It definitely drew me to purchase these palettes and when I opened them, I fell in love. The packaging is a gold (not real gold of course) casing which opens to a beautifully sized mirror. I love the way the packaging closes (complete with a satisfying click) and I have never had any accidents when travelling with this palette in my bag. I am not a fan of the tiny lip brush inside but I guess it’s a good addition. It seriously reminds me of something from YSL and I am not surprised as YSL is under the L’Oreal umbrella. I won’t be surprised if they are made in the same factory. In each palette, you get six lippies which I know would last a good while. I have used them quite a lot and I am yet to make a significant dent in them (and they still don't look messy).

Formula

I am going to make a very bold claim here- this Lip Palette has the best formula and texture I have ever tried. It feels almost like a balm when it comes to application but it does not sit heavy on the lips at all. It applies so smoothly and seems to get well absorbed providing some needed moisture and mild hydration. I  actually went back to check my stash to see if I had a proper lipstick bullet under the Color Riche range but they were not the same at all. I definitely prefer this formula. The best thing about this lip palette formula is that it is very forgiving on dry lips. It does not sink into any cracked or chapped lips and it gives a really smooth application. They have a nice finish- not matte at and not glossy. I would say it is more of a satin finish.

Coverage and Lasting Power

I am not too fussed about the coverage of lipsticks as I am happy to reapply my lipstick if it is wearing off. To be honest, I did not really have any expectation in terms of lasting power or coverage of these lippies but I was pleasantly surprised. It surprisingly has a good amount of pigment to show up even on the darkest lips. My lips are quite pigmented particularly my upper lip and sometimes lipsticks don’t appear well on them. However, these lipsticks (even the pale colours) appeared well on my lips. I am also impressed with the lasting power particularly the darker shades. I remember the first time I tried it out, I was shocked to see it still looking fresh after lunch (and I had a proper meal not a sandwich). I don’t want to say they almost feel like a stain but their coverage and lasting power are reminiscent of a light stain (in my opinion and based on my experience). The lighter shades don’t last as well on my lips but I honestly don’t mind reapplying.

                                                     What Shades did I pick?

I believe there are only two beautiful shades and believe me, that’s more than enough. These shades include Nude and Red (simple names that one can remember). I got the Nude shade first and then picked up the Red one late because I could not resist at all. I do have to commend L’Oreal for actually ensuring that the Nude shade truly represents a good nude for many skin tones. I totally understand it could be incredibly difficult especially with a small palette but they actually killed it this time. The nude for darker skin is actually nude and I was absolutely delighted about that.

Nude Shade// Link // £12.99

I don’t think there is much to say other than this has become one of my most reached for products. It is so practical and I can wear all the shades (not all are nude on me of course) except one shade. The good thing about having various nude shades for different skin tones means you can experiment and mix and match. Of course, the darkest shade is one of the few My Lips But Better shades that fit me so well. It looks so chic and sophisticated and I always reach for it on an everyday basis. It is a rich dark brown shade which reminds me of the ever popular ‘90s lips that is currently trending. I love this palette a lot.

Red Shade// Link // £12.99

I know this palette looks super red and it may even be scary but the shades are not scary at all. I feel like I should not even ever bother buying red lipsticks because this palette has me covered. There are warm reds, cool toned reds, blood orange reds, a classic red and of course, a dark red. I love how the reds look so different on my lips and I know it would be the same for many people. I also mix two colours to give me an ombre effect and it’s amazing. The beauty about these palettes is that you can easily switch from day to night or casual to classy with a quick swipe.

How I use them /Application

I know people may think this is gross but I find that using my fingers are the best way to apply these babies. I have a couple of lip brushes which I use when I want a super precise application. I always prefer brushes that have lids when I want to reapply on the go because they won’t mess up my makeup bag. My favourite one is the Nanshy Lip Brush* which looks so sleek and does an amazing job. The Real Techniques Lip Brush is pretty but the lid keeps coming off so it is a no-no for travelling or placing in my makeup bag. Believe me, it is so much easier to use your fingers (clean fingers though) as it gives such a beautiful application. I don’t need to line my lips at all especially for the darker shades. I have to admit I do use my lip brushes when it comes to applying the Red palette because red lipstick can go wrong very quickly.

Cost// Link //£12.99

They retail for £12.99 which I thought was a little expensive before I purchased them but I changed my mind when I used them. They are such an incredible value for money in my opinion and if you are new to makeup, these products are a good way to invest in some good lippies. Boots and Superdrug always shave offers on their makeup so you don’t have to pay full price for them. I am very impressed and I feel like I should just buy some backups in case they decide to discontinue these babies.

Overall Thoughts

I did not imagine that this post would be this long but I got carried away. I always get carried away when I love a beauty product a lot and even more if I enjoyed taking the photos. I hope you enjoyed this post and do let me know if you are into Lip Palettes as well. Have you tried these L’Oreal La Palette Lips?
Affiliate Links used, read my full disclaimer here

L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation Review (Crème Cafe 110)

L'Oreal is easily my favourite brand for drug store foundations. I think they are the only brand that I have absolutely enjoyed using a number of their foundations (where I can find my shade). When I heard L'Oreal had launched their new Infallible Pro Matte foundation, I was excited but apprehensive. Why you may ask? Well, L'Oreal (and many other drug store brands) sometimes release very limited (or sometimes no) shades for darker skin ladies here in the UK. I think their True Match Foundation was the only range where they were many shades for darker skinned ladies here in the UK and I really commend them for that. For some reason, they always release more shades in the USA for some of their ranges. Surely, it can't be that ladies with dark skin don't purchase these foundations because I find that darker shades are always sold out in store and online when they are available. So, I am pretty sure there is a huge demand and market for it. I really hope they extend the shades for darker skinned ladies (which they already have) to the UK. Anyway, that's another rant and story for another day.



So, I popped in-store to haunt it down and I was not surprised to see  it was unavailable but I also noticed the shade range  for other skin tones was quite limited compared to what I had seen online. I decided to purchase this foundation from the USA via Ebay because I had read several raving reviews. L'Oreal foundations have never failed me so I was happy to bend over backwards to get it online. I find it very risky buying foundation online (especially if you have never tried it before) because there is a high chance of buying the wrong shade. I watched a good number of video reviews of this foundation on YouTube especially YouTubers who have the same complexion as me. It's always handy to identify bloggers or vloggers who have the same complexion as you do so you can piggyback on their recommendations.



Packaging
I generally don't like foundations that come in a tube because I find that they could be messy and wasteful if you are not careful. However, I am making an exception for the L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte foundation. This is because the packaging is rather sleek and feels sturdy. The product itself is not too runny so only a little comes out at a time and the opening/hole prevents wastage. I think the packaging is amazing and very travel friendly because you can just pop it into your handbag or carry on. Its lid closes really securely so no accidental spillages if you happen to travel with it. I guess the only downside to it is that you can't tell the colour of the foundation from the bottle. They all seem to look the same which is not really the best especially if there are no testers in store and you want to play it by the ear (very bad idea, I tell you).


Shades Available
There are 12 shades in total but they seem to vary in the US and UK.. You can find all the shades over here on L'Oreal's website. : I  think the US and UK packaging are slightly different in terms of designs and details but they do look alike in principle. I chose the shade Crème Cafe after careful  consideration (I sound like I am writing a report for work *yawn*). I was going to get Soft Sable because it seemed to be the default shade for many people who have dark skin like me but I had a feeling it would be slightly dark for me and I was right. Crème Cafe is the perfect shade for me at the moment although I am very tempted to get Soft Sable just to compare. The range also has some powders although their corresponding names/shades have nothing to do with the foundations. For example, the powder shade I suspect will suit me is called Cool Tan but I am not sure the corresponding foundation will suit me. Anyway, I really like the packaging because it is really portable. It also has a good description of what to expect from the foundation at the back.


Formula/Texture/Coverage
L'Oreal describes this foundation as an air light, demi-matte finish, medium coverage, 24 Hr long lasting foundation and I agree to all the claims except of course that it lasts for 24 hrs. I don't believe any foundation is capable of lasting that long and even if there was, why would I want to wear foundation for 24 hrs? Even when I worked in the hospital pharmacy and did long calls/shifts,  I could not be bothered wearing any makeup whatsoever. However, I have to say it lasts for a really long time on my face even during Summer. I barely have to touch up and it is really good at oil control. The formula is super light on application but it feels slightly creamy when you are blending it. It offers a medium coverage which can be built to full coverage depending on how many layers you use. I tend to use one layer which offers a really good coverage and then I go back with a light layer to completely cover my blemishes on my cheeks. I absolutely love it and many times I even skip using concealer because this does everything for me. I think my favourite thing about this foundation is the finish. It is a proper demi-matte finish which looks super flattering on my skin. It is perfect for anyone with combination/oily skin and it sets really well. You don't have to use a powder with this foundation at all but sometime I use one just to ensure it lasts even longer. As mentioned earlier, it lasts for a long while and I rarely have to to touch up because it stays put until I get home and take it off.




Application
I prefer to apply this with a round buffing brush as opposed to my fingers and my favourite ones to use are the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush and the Sephora Multi Task Brush. These brushes are amazing with this foundation and give me the best application and finish. I use a primer underneath this foundation although I think it would still perform well without one but I am just used to wearing primers. I apply one drop of foundation at the back of my hand to warm it up and apply it with a brush to my face. I like the way it sets to a demi matte finish but it does not affect its blend-ability at all. It can still be blended when it is set. I don't think it would cling to dry patches at all because it has a light creamy texture. I have seen a lot of people with dry skin who have said they still enjoy using this foundation but I can't comment on its behaviour for people with dry skin. As a combination/oily skin girl, I can clearly say this is seriously HG for me especially for Summer and I have worn it consistently since I purchased it. I just can't put it down


Cost// Link
I sincerely wish I could just buy this in UK as it retails for £7.99 and I honestly can't believe how affordable it is. The quality is incredible and at the price, it is an absolute steal. I got mine from a USA Ebay seller and it cost me a total of £11 including shipping which was not too shabby. Now, I wish I actually just purchased two of these foundations and even the powder for good measure as I won't have to pay for shipping again. It's just an amazing foundation and I can't sing its praises enough

Cons
I guess the only cons I can think of is the limited shade range and availability especially in the UK. The shades that are even available in the UK are super limited and people on the outer spectrum of skin tones (Pale and Dark skin) would find it difficult to find a suitable shade. As mentioned, the darker shades (Cool Tan, Creme Cafe, Soft Sable, Cocoa) are unavailable in the UK and are even difficult to find in the US so it's a real struggle people!! However, I still have to commend them for releasing at least 10 shades and I hope they do expand this lovely range of foundation in the future because I know many people have been singing its praises including me.


Overall Thoughts
I am sure you already know how I feel about it so I won't bother saying it again. It's an amazing foundation and I have been truly surprised on the results. Well, I am not too surprised mainly because L'Oreal do make one of the best foundations in the drug store. I have enjoyed all the ones I could find my shade in and I highly recommend using them. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the NARS All Day Luminous Foundation (review here), I highly recommend giving this a try. I am not saying it is an exact dupe because I don't think it is easy to replicate the incredible finish the NARS provides. However, this is as close as you can get in the drug store and I even think the L'Oreal Infallible Pro matte is more forgiving on dry skin compared to the NARS. That's it folks!! Have you tried the L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation?
*Affiliate Links used, read my full disclaimer here

L'Oreal Super Star Mascara and Eyeliner Review

If you are a regular reader of my my blog, you would know that L'Oreal is one of my favourite drug store brands. It's always the first counter I always check to see if they have anything new. They are slightly more expensive than many of the other regular drug store makeup products but they are very good quality. So, when I saw the Super Star range in-store, I had to pick them up to try. I am totally obsessed with the L'Oreal Perfect Slim Super Liner and I have been using it for years. I did not really want to try anything new but there was something about the tip of the Superstar Eyeliner that spoke to me. I have actually never tried any L'Oreal mascara or if I have, I can't remember at all. Anyway, I also picked up the Superstar Mascara because I had read a few reviews on it. Now, I am very fussy when it comes with mascaras and it is really hard for any mascaras to impress me because my lashes are very short (read: non existent) and the little hairs there are very curly so I always look out for lengthening mascaras over anything else. Let's get right into the review to find out what I think about these products.





L'Oreal False Lash Superstar Mascara//Link
I was drawn to this mascara because it looks so pretty and it had two sides to it. The first side (No.1) is for creating volume in the lashes. This is possible because it has some fibres in it which adhere to the lashes to give it a false lash effect as the name suggests. L'Oreal describe this fibre effect as a spectacular push-up effect. It actually comes off as white fibres and you can visibly see the instant volumising effect on your lashes. I actually like this part of the mascara a lot because it also creates an illusion of length in addition to the volume.



The second part (No. 2) is the lengthening section which brings together the effect of the first wand. I was quite pleased with the way the wand was shaped because I have now developed a love for curved wands. The curved wand is designed too pick up the littlest lashes and give them length. However, I was not overly impressed with its lengthening properties (I told you I was super picky). I am not sure what exactly happened but the effect of the volumising part of the mascara was so good that my expectations were a little too high for the impact of the second wand. I think it's still a great mascara but I find myself reaching for the Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara and the Benefit Roller Lash Mascara over it. Maybe, it will grow on me because I remember I was not too impressed with the Maybelline version when I first got it.  I was a little naughty and used just the volumising wand and lengthened with the Maybelline Mascara and I was very impressed. I will report back on it when I have tested it for a longer time. I have seen some very impressive reviews with before and after pictures so I know it is a good all rounder mascara but I wish the lengthening side of the wand had a little bit more ooomph.





L'Oreal Superstar Super Liner//Link
I feel like I am absolutely cheating on my L'Oreal Perfect Slim Super Liner but I think this is seriously stealing its place. I am going to make a very bold statement and say it is one of the best eyeliners I have ever tried. OMG. At first, I was there thinking "So L'Oreal have repackaged the Perfect Slim Eye Liner again and trying to make us think it's new?". However, I was so wrong because they are very different. The Super Star Eyeliner is slightly chunkier than the Perfect Slim which is known for its really precise lining properties. I also feel the Super Star Eyeliner has more control and is much firmer so it gives a smoother application for beginners.




The packaging is also different as the Super Star Eyeliner has a lid with a click which means the chances of it drying it out is very slim. I am sure you can tell I am slightly obsessed and I feel like I should go out and buy many backups before they ever decide to stop making them. The Perfect Slim Eyeliner will forever have a place in my heart because I used it for years but I am more than happy to try something new. However, I do think the Perfect Slim seems to be more intense (it's very black) than the Super Star but it is very hard to notice unless you are picky like me. I now have a little collection of my favourite L'Oreal Eyeliners and I may do a post if you want to know which to pick.


Overall Thoughts
I am super pleased I picked up the L'Oreal Superstar range and I think it is really lovely and worth the money. Boots and Superdrug forever have offers and I am sure no one ever buys anything full price in these stores. I would recommend both products because I think they are good. However, I was only impressed by the L'Oreal Superstar Eyeliner. I still use the Superstar Mascara from time to time and I like it but it's not my favourite at this time. That's it folks! Have you tried any products from the L'Oreal Superstar range?
*Affiliate Links used above, read my full disclaimer here

L'Oreal La Palette Nude Beige (02) + Swatches

I popped into Boots a few days ago and I spotted the L'Oreal La Palette Nude Beige which I think may have recently been launched. Of course, my interest was piqued because I had tried the L'Oreal La Palette Nude Rose (full review here) which was the first palette released last year. At first I thought Beige may not be suitable for me (because generally anything beige looks ashy on me) but surprisingly this palette has really nice warm neutral shades which I think would be suitable for many skin tones. I picked it up on a whim without swatching because there was no tester open. I am quite pleased that L'Oreal have these palettes sealed because you all know what happens with unsealed makeup in drug stores; people dip their fingers inside and make it so grim.


Packaging
Just like the La Palette Nude Rose, this comes in a small black compact casing which is ideal for travelling and it looks gorgeous. The name of the palette is written in front and it has a picture of what the shades look like at the back of the palette. I actually love this packaging a lot and I recently saw that YSL recently launched a palette which is incredibly similar to this palette but I am sure it costs much more. Inside the La Palette Nude Beige packaging, you get a nice mirror, an eyeshadow brush embossed with L'Oreal (why do brands even bother with these brushes tho?!) and 10 eyeshadows. Five of the shades are matte and the remaining are shimmer shades. Now, I think this may actually have only four shimmer shades because the first shade isn't really a shimmer shade; I would say it's more of a satin finish so I am not quite sure. Only four of the eyeshadows look quite shimmery while the rest are matte.



Pigmentation
After trying the La Palette Nude Rose, my expectation for intense pigmentation with this palette was not very high. However, I would say the pigmentation for this palette seems better than the La Palette Nude Rose and I don't know if it's because it has warmer shades. I actually prefer the pigmentation of this palette. I would not say it is out of this world like the Lorac Pro Palette or Urban Decay Eyeshadows but it is perfect for every day looks and I know I will get a lot of use from this palette. I have worn it for a few days with and without a primer and it applied really well and lasted all day which is pretty good.

Application
As already mentioned, it has warm neutral shades like browns, greys, taupe and a dash of yellow gold (a shimmer shade which looks amazing with Maybelline Color Tattoo in Eternal Gold). Most of the brown shades work really well in the crease and they are very easy to apply and blend. There is very minimal fallout with this palette which is good. The shimmer shades apply better than the shimmer shades in the Rose version. I also tried this palette with the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows and they looked even better and I have also paired them with the Maybelline Color Tattoos with very good results. The matte shadows do not feel very matte at all; I think they may even have a slight satin finish.

Cost
Although this palette is a drug store palette, it is not cheap in fact, I think it may be one of the most expensive drug store palettes I have tried. It retails for £14.99. I think Boots may be having some offer on L'Oreal at the moment although I am not sure this palette may be included in the offer. However, the L'Oreal La Palette Nude Rose is on offer online (I think). I have not seen this palette online yet but I guess Boots may be updating their website with this soon and it may start appearing in some Boots like it miraculously appeared in mine a few days ago.

Cons
1. It is quite pricey compared to other drug store eyeshadow palettes like Sleek and Makeup Revolution.
2. It is relatively smaller than other eyeshadow palettes.
3. It does not have an intense pigmentation but it is quite good and works well for an everyday palette.





La Palette Nude Rose (01) vs La Palette Nude Beige (02)
I am glad I have both palettes because they really complement each other. You can create different looks with both of them including day and night looks. If you prefer Urban Decay Naked 3 which has more pink/rosey eyeshadow shades, then you would like the La Palette Nude Rose. When I first got the Rose version, I was a little disappointed with its pigmentation but I grew to love it and  I have used it more than I thought I would. The La Palette Nude Beige will suit you if you prefer warm neutral shades like the Urban Decay Naked 1. On closer inspection, it even looks like a hybrid of Urban Decay Naked 1 and 2 Palettes but without the intense pigmentation. If I had only £15 to spend, I think it will be a tough decision for me because I like both palettes but I think I may be inclined to choose the La Nude Beige because it will be suitable for more every day looks.



Personal Thoughts
I am really pleased I got this palette. Its compact size and shade range makes it ideal for simple looks especially when you don't want too much fuss or have a lot of time to spare. I am glad I now own two of these palettes because I can travel with both of them and create a wider variety of looks. That's it folks and I hope you enjoyed this peek into the L'Oreal La Palette Nude Beige. Would you be picking this up? See you in my next post...xx