January 14, 2015

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation Review & Swatches

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation ($12.99) is a new demi-matte, oil free foundation that launches recently for Spring 2015. I figure if I’m going to go matte I might as well try out something that’s demi-matte in finish since it’s proving all the range for Spring!

Right now my skin is fairly dry so I have a good deal of patch, flaky dryness around my cheeks which doesn’t make for a good testing ground for L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation! But me being curious simply had to try this out.

And it’s quite interesting.

I tested out L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation on my drier skin and my friend Jai tried it out as well. He has quite oily skin so you can get a little preview of how it performed on both our skin types.

One thing to note about L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation is it feels impossible to find a color match. It comes housed in a clear tube but for some reason the shades ALL look identical. I really felt like I was heading into a blindfolded purchase because I just couldn’t get any idea or feel for the color selections. I ended up selecting 103 Natural Buff and it’s a little too warm for me but not a completely bad shade.

They market this as 24 Hour Coverage but lord knows I’m not wearing my foundation for 24 hours anytime soon. It does have very good oil control according to Jai the first time he wore it his face was fairly matte for six hours out of the twelve hour period he had it on.

One thing we both noticed is this is the type of foundation that will cling to every single flake, patch, or uneven area you have on your face. I’d highly suggest prepping very, very well prior to application if you have drier skin. You also want a very smooth, even area to apply onto so use a good primer that fills pores and smooths out your complexion prior to applying. It tends to cling to areas and will accentuate less than smooth spots on your face. I don’t have acne or acne scarring but I see this being a real mess if you skin might be raised or uneven due to acne scarring issues. My skin is fairly smooth but I do have drier, flakier areas so I make sure to apply a hydrating primer prior to application.

L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation swatches

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation Swatches (103 Natural Buff)

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation swatches

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation Swatches (103 Natural Buff)

Jai has visible pores and this look pretty amazing on his skin after application. You don’t want to buff it on as it tends to pill but try smoothing it on gently with a brush or finger tips and use a sweeping motion with a fluffier brush to blend it out. It really has a nice airbrushed finish if you apply it correctly but it will accentuate pores and finer lines if you apply it without proper priming or apply it in a messy or quick manner. It does set very fast so you don’t have a lot of time to work so during application be sure to work quickly.

The formula is very creamy with a gel-like texture that blends out easily. It’s very wearable on my dry skin and doesn’t look mask-like or unnatural like some matte finish foundations do. The demi-matte finish is breathable to me. Where as a regular matte foundation would feel very cloying on my drier skin, I find the demi-matte finish is much easier to wear with a lighter, barely there feel. If you have visible pores you’ll also appreciate how well it does concealing them and creating a very smooth appearance.

Coverage is sheer to almost medium and wears for a solid eight hours on my drier skin. Jai seemed to have good wear with it as well at around eight hours but he said that he had a little bit shine and oiliness show up at around hour six.

I don’t think L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation is perfect for my particularly skin type but I think oily skin users will like this! Do keep in mind it works best in smoother skin and provides fairly long wear with good oil control! Dry skin can also benefit from the formula as this doesn’t cling to drier areas and looks quite smooth. I think the price point is a little too high to randomly indulge in it but if you can find it on sale I’d recommend trying it out for size. You might just love it.

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation is available now at drugstores.

I purchased this item.

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Melanie

    I have oily skin and not just the t-zone….. for a drug store foundation this works quite well. I am able to get 6 hrs of good wear before I need to touch up. The color selection is not that great I believe I have 104 and might get the 103 and mix. It’s a good medium coverage Applied with a brush. I have used this for a good few wks now and happy with the results. I should add I use the mineral veil as a setting powder and it’s an amazing combo to try for oily skin peeps.

    • Nadia

      I have to agree I have oily skin and not just the t-zone either and I must say that this foundation works wonders!I usually have a very difficult time matching my complexion because I have both yellow and red undertones it’s either too dark or too light, with my brown complexion they’ve matched it to a “T” my color is 112 cocoa. I will continue to buy this product. Oh! And the powder is great too. Thanks L’Oreal it’s about time someone did it right. 🙂

  • Emma

    “accentuate pores” Me = huge pores As I don’t use primer as a daily routine, Don’t think Ill be getting this 🙁

  • Amanda

    You are so dedicated to us to test out a matte foundation!!! I have heard some pretty good reviews for this…I’m interested because, like you, I don’t like the mask like look some foundations can give you. I’m scared about picking a color – is there anything worse than wearing the wrong color?!?!? Eek!

    Thanks for another wonderful review!! I may not comment on all of them, but I am over here reading away =)

    • Isabella Muse

      ugh tell me about it and that always seems an issue with drugstore foundation as you can’t test it in store! aw my pleasure Amanda thank you so much for the lovely comment and for reading Musings!

  • Steph

    I like this a lot on my oily, acne prone skin 🙂 I hear you on the shades tho, originally picked up 101 classic ivory bc the display made the next colors look super dark but I ended up having to exchange for 102 shell beige and it’s MUCH better 🙂 I love the powder that it comes with too, worked out in it and still lasted through the sweat lol just looked like skin!

    • Cindy

      If you don’t mind my asking, what shades do you wear in other foundations?I’m trying to find a color match aND those pesky bottles make the foundation seem lighter than it is x.x

    • Isabella Muse

      which ones? they released a new bb cream, new lipsticks, new mascara, etc

  • Lisa

    YES! I totally would have bought this when I was in Walmart the other day, but I, too, thought every single tube looked like it was the same shade. You could bust the Hoover Dam with the river of foundation I’ve bought that didn’t match, so I’m going to wait and buy this at CVS so I can return if need be. If I buy it at all…I’m a little concerned now that you say the coverage isn’t very good.

    • Isabella Muse

      hm I didn’t say the coverage wasn’t any good?! I said sheer to almost medium. That’s fairly pigmented 🙂

  • Adrienne

    The Wet-N-Wild Primer is fresh on my mind since the review is recent. Would you suggest that primer underneath this product? I am normally combination but leaning towards the drier side because its been so frigid here.

    • Isabella Muse

      hi adrienne! I actually mentioned a few times about priming in the review 🙂 Hope this helps!?

      • Adrienne

        Thanks what I meant to say was did you think the Wet-N-Wild Primer would be a good one to use under the L’Oreal foundation or maybe go with a more expensive one instead of layering 2 drug store products on top of one another.

        • Isabella Muse

          wet n wild should be fine although if you have drier skin you might want something water based to go under it and a little less heavy. If that makes sense!

  • jazmyne marquez

    Rimmels 25 hour foundation is it the same formula but just in a glass bottle? You pretty much reviewed most of it 🙂 i cant believe how much makeup was realeased for spring 😆

    • Isabella Muse

      I haven’t tried the foundation jazmyne! sorry! I’m not sure if it is the same formula, I thought the new one had SPF but don’t quote me!? I’m not sure! I have an upcoming review for the new matte glosses!

  • jazmyne marquez

    Yeah i think its different formula i seen one youtuber talk about it she said it lasted pretty long on her combo skin but i dont know about dry skin i will probably try it out in a few weeks i will let you know 🙂 , and yay i love your reviews.

    • Isabella Muse

      aw thanks jazmyne! flattered 🙂 Let me know I’d be interested to hear your thoughts 🙂

  • fancie

    I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this formula. I’m more on the dry side but I’m still a little tempted to try it if I can find a match

  • Anne

    I have oily skin and Roscea. I have broken capillaries on my face, one is large and I can see through most foundations that I try. Also, most foundations slide off after a few hours or oxidize and turn orange on my face. Loreal infallible provided outstanding coverage. I was completely amazed, absolutely no redness showed through it. It lasted all day with only a slight oliness around the the T zone, but the foundation stayed put. It did not lose it’s staying power and it did not lose its color. Any matte foundation is probably not for people with dry skin. Personally for me? I think this stuff is a miracle.

  • cherne

    I have acne prone skin have tried the Rimmels 25 hour foundation and it break me out 🙁 so does anyone knows if the loreal infallible will do the same?

    • Cindy

      The best thing to do is to compare the formulas of both foundations. For me, I try my best to avoid foundations with heavy fragrance and alcohol because those two seem to break me out. If you haven’t figured out what breaks you out, try looking at different things that have done so in the past, compare formulas to things that don’t and see where there’s any overlap or not.

  • Mary

    I want to try this foundation out but Im having trouble picking up my shade. I currently use Almays TLC foundation in 140 buff. Can anyone help with the color matching?
    Thanks!

  • mari le

    Hey Mary, I also use buff in Almay’s TLC foundation and classic ivory should be the closes match as shell beige was 3 to 4 shades too dark for me. Hopes this helps 🙂

  • Hildegerd

    I like this foundation, but I adore the standard infallible, it has the properties of the long lost and discontinued Chanel Pro Lumiere.

  • Karybell

    This foundation just breaks me out and I’m sad it does because I like how it leaves my skin with this matte appearance, I’m bummed.

  • Holly Dolly

    I have really oily skin and this foundation is a miracle worker! I do have some acne scaring but nothing severe! I would suggest a concelor to help cover problem areas but this is by far the best drug store foundation I have ever used! As far as the women who are concerned about this breaking them out, I have really acne prone skin and this foundation seems to help! It is very light & allows your skin to breath! Hope this is helpful!!

  • Olivia

    Hi All,

    I am looking for a dupe for my Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + foundation and I see that L’Oreal’s Infallible Pro-Matte is often listed. Does anyone know which color is closest to MUF #35 foundation? The joys of trying to guess at the drugstore! Thanks in advance!