Monday 28 October 2013

REVIEW: L’Oreal Infallible 2-Step Lips & Giveaway!

This post is long overdue, but the timing is actually perfect because this lippy has just been awarded one of the coveted beautyheaven Best in Beauty 2013 accolades for Best Lipstick!


And it's no wonder - this really is an amazing product, quite revolutionary in fact. The concept is not new, but in my opinion, the formula is a breakthrough in the long-wear category. As I've mentioned in several of my posts, I was blessed with a win in the Australian Blogstar Awards back in August, and the complete set of these liptastic gems was part of the prize. Never in my long life have I received such a fabulous box of glossy colour sticks so beautifully presented, and it's almost an understatement to say I was utterly gobsmacked when I opened the parcel - warning: this is a picture-heavy post!

Part of my Australian Blogstar Awards 2013 prize
Like similar long wear products, this is a 2-step application - a cream pigment base followed by a moisturising balm overlay. Where it differs from other products out there is in its hydrating qualities, and the staying power. I've actually had my lips shrivel (and in one case burnt) by other brands, with several days of uncomfortable peeling following the initial application. In addition, none of the ones I tried lasted more than a few hours, and certainly didn't make it to the other side of a meal.


These L'Oreal lipsticks are seriously softening, and while I haven't tested if they actually last for 24 hours, most of them stand up to my rigorous daily routine of lattes, cups of tea and multiple munches (there's some specifics and a post-meal pic in my article over at beautyheaven). For me the deeper shades last considerably longer than the paler ones, mainly because they leave such a potent stain on the lips, so if you're like me and have a naturally pale pasty pout, these bolder hues are a godsend. At $29.95 they're not exactly cheap, but I believe they are well worth the outlay for their long-lasting and moisturising properties, and the presentation is class all the way.


Things I've discovered so far:
  • They work best on bare lips
  • Applying lipliner after the base and before the balm gives a far better result - the liner seems to reduce the initial staining effect of the pigment if you apply it first. I do my liplining while I'm waiting for the cream to dry :-)
  • The flat colours look better later in the day - the shimmery ones are super pretty initially, but don't look as smooth and slick after eating
  • Even if I don't reapply the balm regularly, my lips stay soft and flexible for hours
  • The product does not transfer - to cups, glasses, teeth, clothing or other lips/cheeks!
  • You will need a potent waterproof makeup remover to take the bold colours off at the end of the day
Instead of swatches, I thought I'd show you how every shade actually looks on my lips. While not all colours are 100% perfect for my yellowy undertone, every hue is unique and beautiful, and there's bound to be quite a few that will suit your particular colouring. All these photos were taken in the same lighting conditions (cool makeup light), and all are of the base with the balm over the top.

Blossoming Berry
Incessant Russet
Continual Crimson
Flawless Fuchsia
Coral Constant
Invincible Sable
Red Infallible
Lasting Mauve
Permanent Blush
Stay Framboise
Orange Extreme
Resolution Red
Timeless Rose
Violet Parfait


My personal favourites are Continual Crimson, Flawless Fuchsia, Stay Framboise and Invincible Sable - this last one is such a divine shade, but with my crinkly lips, the pigment seems to sink into the cracks and looks a bit stripey and weird when I smile. I'll keep working on a solution to my particular problem, but I'm sure it will work just fine for all you smooth-lipped younger gals.

Now we get to the best part :-)

YAY - My first Giveaway!

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This giveaway is now closed 

Delighted to announce the winners of my first giveaway - the three gals who will receive one of these fabulous lipsticks are:

IndieAna
Fawn
Hissycat Krissy

Congratulations ladies! Please reply to the email I've sent to you before Wednesday 20th November to claim your prize :-)

And thank you everyone who entered - it was a very tough to choose only three as I loved the sound of ALL the looks you'd pair this with. Oh how I wish I had one for all of you xxx

EDIT: Thanks for your emails ladies, all prizes have been claimed :-)

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Included in my prize pack were three extras of these gorgeous longwear lipsticks in the shade Resolution Red, and I have the OK from L'Oreal & beautyheaven to share the love with three of my (Australian resident only) readers.


To enter, you must follow me on Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin' or email, tell me in the comments section below which of the shades in the above lip pics appeals to you most and what colour eye shadow you'd pair it with, and include in your comment your email address, username (where applicable) and how you are following me.

Entries close midnight Saturday 16th November 2013, and based on the three most interesting answers, I will announce the winners on Sunday 17th November here on this page of kats colourings. Winners will have till Wednesday 20th November to send me an email, or I will choose again.

Hope you join in the fun, and good luck lovelies!

Take care of you,
kats xxx


Giveaway Terms & Conditions
1. Only one entry per person permitted.
2. To enter, you must follow me on Google Friend Connect, Bloglovin or email, comment on this post with your favourite shade from the 14 L'Oreal Infallible 2-Step Lips pictured above, and the eye shadow colour you'd wear with it, and remember to include your GFC or Bloglovin' user name..
3. Include your email address in the comment.
4. This competition is open to Australian residents only.
5. This competition is hosted by katshepsutt via the kats colourings blog at katscolourings.blogspot.com.au.
6. The total prize consists of three L'Oreal Infallible 2-Step Lips (one per winner) RRP AUD$29.95 each .
7. Competition closes midnight Saturday 16th November 2013 (Sydney time).
8. This competition is a game of skill and the winner will be based on the most interesting comment as judged by me, and notified by email and via a post on this page of kats colouring on Sunday 17th November 2013.

22 comments:

  1. I'm not entering this one but I just wanted to say great review, and congrats on your first giveaway! :)

    xx

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    1. Bless you Nalini and thanks for your supportive feedback hon :-)

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  2. The L'Oreal lipsticks are fantastic aren't they! I won one too from BH, so I won't be entering this comp, but good luck to all the other entrants :) Claire xx

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    1. So sweet of you to comment Claire - yeah I'm kinda hooked on these lippies, it's hard to not wear them every day lol...

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  3. I love the look of Red Infallible, however, I think they appear to all be wearable shades. My choice of eye to wear with Resolution red would be a golden beige, contoured with a dark brown. A black as black winged eye, and then lashings and lashings of mascara to complete the look :) Great comp, hun! xx

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    1. Silly me! I forgot to add that I follow you on GFC with name IndieAna and email address is scentsation1@hotmail.com xx

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    2. You're right hon, all the shades are exceptionally wearable, and I love the sound of your eye look :-)

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  4. I love Invincible Sable, and I'd wear it with Estee Lauder bronze and sable eyeshadow :)

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    1. Sounds beaut Jasmine - this sable shade is one of my favourites too :-)

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  5. Beautiful post Kat! I cannot pick my favourite on you. I think you wear all the shades really well :)
    I love the shade permanent blush, its gorgeous yet low key so many different shades of shadow can be paired with it. Because its a lovely soft pink I'd pair a gorgeous shimmery purple with it on my eyes.
    I'm following you on both GFC and Bloglovin as Lady Sapphire :)
    My email address is nikki92900877@ovi.com

    P.S Nice giveaway!

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    1. Aww thanks Gemma - I agree that purple would look stunning with Permanent Blush, what am I saying, I love purple with anything lol!

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  6. Orange extreme.
    I have a passion for orange and at the moment im loving the color tattoo in Fierce and Tangy with a powder orange over the top and a bit of green in the outter corner and along the crease. Sounds a little scary but it works for me...can you have too much orange???

    GFC = Fawn M

    email meedee89 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Fawn my dear this doesn't sound scary at all, it sounds fabulous! I'm a huge fan of orange and I love to pair it with green too - thanks for entering :-)

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    2. yippiiiieeee...Thank you so much Kat...im so going to look a million dollars with this vibrant lippy....you hyave made my Sunday :)

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  7. Resolution Red is my favourite shade and is on my wish list, I'm a red lippie girl all the way! Being a bit of a drag queen at heart, I would break the rules and pair it with dramatic smokey eyes in silver, turquoise and black - and my diamonte kitty cat ears! :) I follow you on GFC and bloglovin and my email is catn2kittens at yahoo dot com dot au :) thank you for the lovely giveaway!

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    1. Hey Cat, I break makeup rules just about every day so I'm delighted to hear your combo - sounds stunning, and the ears would be a must :-)

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  8. Kats, this is a fabulous blog. I love the tips you provide which are extensive and the fact that you presented each colour on your lips, rather than simply swatching. This is a really effective way of showing colour - well, that is my view. As red is my 'signature' colour I would have to say that Red Infallible would be my favourite. I love green eyeshadow with red lipstick particularly as I have hazel eyes. I would probably use my Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill shadow in no. 6 which is divine - rich green with golden tones. Don't need much more than s lick of black eyeliner and loads of mascara.

    I follow you via email and bloglovin. Email: nstransky at pacific dot net dot au

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    1. Delighted to read you roxy, and thank you for your kind words hon - they're so positive and helpful for this blog novice, and your colouring combo has me wishing I had hazel eyes :-)

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  9. Congrats on the amaze-balls BH Blogstar win. That box of lippies would have given me a heart attack. I'm drooling as I type. I adore the Resolution Red colour, it's a slightly more muted red that makes it more wearable. The Infallible 2 step looks brilliant, as my creamy red lipsticks always bleed and I end up from resembling the Joker from The Dark Knight. I'd wear it with a very neutral eye - probably MAC Ricepaper with Blacktrack Fluidline as a winged liner... let the lips do the talking! I follow you as Nightlace via GFC, jennym via Bloglovin'. dripping_paper at hotmail dot com xx

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    1. Nightlace my dear, I'm SO sorry - I've just found your post sitting in my "awaiting moderation" box, didn't even know I had one of those as I don't have that function turned on. Please forgive me for this technical screw-up - there's lots more giveaways in the pipeline though :-)

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  10. Yippee! Thank you so, so much, hun!! xx

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