Ever the innovators, L'Oreal have reinvented the wheel with their new Infallible Matte FX powder lipsticks (RRP $23.99). Wait, what - powder lipstick?! Yep, and it's not as crazy or messy as you might think.
The packaging for these is identical in format to the recently launched Smokissime Powder Liners (which I reviewed here), a compacted powder product in the lid with a springloaded, pointed sponge tip applicator. You simply dip the applicator into the lid to pick up product, then apply. The powder isn't loose and it adheres well to the applicator, so there's no mess. If you love the ultra matte lipstick trend but you're so over liquid mattes, read on!
A word on the product name, some of the press material I have calls these Infallible Matte FX, another says Infallible Matte Lip and overseas I think these are called Infallible Matte Max (UK) and in the Philippines, L'Oreal have released an identical product with different colours under the name Tint Caresse.
Formula overview:
L'Oreal have included a great selection of shades here, with something to suit most tastes. One thing to note is that they are all quite warm toned, I would have liked to see a few cool tones thrown in the mix to flatter a wider range of complexions.
The colour pay off is buildable which makes them great for creating an ombre or gradient lip effect and the sponge applicator really assists with that application method. When it comes to applying full colour though, I found it slightly difficult to get the colour opaque toward the edges of my lips - the diffusing effect is a little too helpful there! However it is possible with a few extra dips for more product and the applicator is pointed enough to easily follow the contours of your lip line.
Although these are a powder product, it doesn't feel like you're rubbing a loose pigment on your lips. The product is tightly compacted and there are binding ingredients which give the powder a very lightweight and velvety texture. It's kind of hard to describe! The lipstick adheres well and gives a true flat matte finish.
These promise an ambitious ten hour wear time and you might get that if you're doing the forty hour famine. They wear away evenly and can feel clingy on the lips but not drying. The scent is a nice mix of floral and fruity without being overwhelming.
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Silencio
Silencio is a warm nude with semi-opaque coverage; you can see the natural pink of my lips coming through in places so if you have very pigmented lips you may like to conceal them or use a coordinating lip pencil. It wears for four and a half hours on me.
Virgin
Virgin is a medium warm pink with mostly opaque colour pay off. I really like this one, it's a soft and pretty shade of pink, especially in the matte formula. It lasted three and a half hours on me.
Oops I Pink It Again
Oops I Pink It Again is a medium-dark warm pink with excellent colour pay off. It's another favourite for me, and not just because of the Britney Spears flashbacks that name induces (how great was her hair in that music video though?). It wore for five hours on me.
Disturbia
Disturbia is a bright orangey-red with good, even opacity. I love how vibrant and summery it is! It lasted three and a half hours on me,
Say My Name
Say My Name is a warm red, darker and redder than Disturbia. If you have issues with regular red lipstick smearing and feathering, Say My Name is an excellent option. It hung around for four hours.
I Gotta Feeling
I Gotta Feeling looks like it's going to be a blue based purple in the packaging, but when applied it is a dark magenta with purple shimmer. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed that it wasn't a true purple! Although it applies evenly, it is one of the sheerer colours in the range. It wore for four and a half hours.
What I liked:
- Wear time ranged between three and a half to five hours
- Mostly opaque colour pay off
- Non drying
- Easy to blend out for gradient/ombre effects
What I didn't like:
- None of these delivered the promised ten hour wear
- Some of them feel clingy
Where to buy:
Have you tried a powder lipstick before? I wonder if this will be the next big trend!
X
Lani
PS. Sorry for the mixed image quality in this post, the grainier images were taken using my old camera which was having a lot of issues, and the better quality ones are with the replacement camera.
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