June 25, 2012

L’Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner Review & Swatches



L�Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner
is a new 24 hour (using 24 hour very tentatively) pot gel eyeliner that’s recently launched in drugstores.

At a glance I wasn’t going to purchase this. I don’t like Maybelline’s Studio Secrets Gel Eyeliner and I’m not a fan of Physicians Formula either, both have disappointing formulas in my opinion.

I do like gel eyeliner though, Bobbi Brown is a favorite of mine as well as MAC’s. I decided that I’d give this a try and if anything I’d just return it.

Let’s take a look!

L�Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner is available in five standard shades. I say standard because you’re not looking at any vibrant shades of color here, merely the basics like black, brown, espresso, etc…

Each pot is 0.08 oz in size and comes with a brush for application. I paid $7.49 I believe but the standard price looks about $8.99-$9.99 depending where you purchase it. Both Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner and MAC Fluidline are 0.1 oz in size and L’Oreal’s version is nearly the same size so technically you are saving some money here.

Now I was skeptical of both the brush and the formula. Typically brushes included with drugstore makeup are made of shoddy material but this brush is actually quite well done. It has soft yet stiff bristles and is small enough to create a thinner or thicker line.

Count me surprised on the formula, I liked it, a lot. It’s a hydrating formula that has a soft, smooth, creamy gel texture. It has an easy, smooth glide across the lash line sans any tugging or dryness. I was impressed with how easily it glided across my lashes and how pigmented the shade I choose was that I didn’t feel a need to go back over my original line (I purchased Blackest Black). It does seem to take a minute or so to dry down, just a note on that, but this gives you plenty of time to work with it should you wish to intensify the look by re-lining or smudging it out. It sets to a very black finish and wore pretty much all day and into my night without a hiccup. I have drier eyes so I’m unsure if oily lids will appreciate how creamy it is but for me it was a win.

I started off application at 7 AM and ended it at 11:40 PM and the liner wore without a hiccup. No smudging, no flaking, no issues with fading. The color remained very fresh as well and just as vibrant as original application. It deserves mentioning part of my day was spent in my office, AC turned on and my day ended outside in some very humid weather and higher temperatures of around 90.

Overall, I must say this was impressive. It rivals anything you can buy from MAC, Bobbi Brown, etc…! The formula quite excelled my expectations as I did go into the purchase believing I’d hate it and I ended up loving it.

I think the one deserves a Muse Approval.

I’d buy it. If you like Bobbi’s gel eyeliner you’ll absolutely love this.

Tried it?

Do share!

Today Ulta has it available for $8.99 and has a Buy 1, Get 1 50% off offer.

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

  • Rebecca

    Thank you for this review. I have slightly oily lids, but I think I’ll try it before the Lancome one I just bought. The L’oreal price is much nicer.

    • the Muse

      I think you’ll like it rebecca, it was a very nice gel! I was surprised. Let me know what you think when you tried, curious minds if you like it as much as I do!

  • Alyssa

    Have you tried the E.L.F. cream liner? I usually wear Tarte’s version and like this one just as much! Plus it’s only $3.

  • Larie

    Thanks for this review! I’ve never liked any gel liners I’ve tried before, but I’ve recently been thinking about trying them again. Maybe I’ll start with this!

    • the Muse

      my pleasure larie ;-D hope you like it lmk what you think if you do try!

  • vj

    d maybelline one dries up in the pot too quickly plus it tugs on application and smudges within 3 hours or so. I was looking for a budget replacement for a long time. Lets hope this it .
    Btw, loved you eyeshadow. What are you wearing?

    • the Muse

      same issues for me vj, particularly the drier formula which tugs on application :-/ people rave it but I think it’s rubbish! it’s the in heat baked palette from sephora ;-D review is scheduled for later today on it :D!

      • cat

        Aw, I love the Maybelline one. I’m still hoping they re-release the green and blue shades they put out a while ago. I wonder how L’Oreal’s brown shade will be. I kind of need a softer looking color for summer.

  • Cindy

    Thank you! I’m really looking forward to picking this up now! :]

  • Beth

    I sure hope this will be as sweat-proof as Bobbi’s- hers stays on my oily lids through tons of sweating, heat & humidity. Eight bucks sure beats twenty-two so I can’t wait to try.

  • Lulubelle

    I got this liner in Slate and I love it! I’ve got oily lids and it wears until I take it off – no smearing or smudging. The only thing I noticed is that it will flake off if rubbed. I had something in one eye and rubbed it quite a bit, and I noticed the liner had flaked off in some areas. I’ve been using the brush it came with, which is unheard of, but it works quite well! I’m going to get the Navy next, and possible the Espresso. Now I’m crossing my fingers that they don’t dry out.

    • the Muse

      i am so happy to hear that, I was wondering how it would do on oily eyes..! same hear on the brush, I typically toss the brushes in products but this worked well! ;-D

    • Lisa Marie

      Dry out is my biggest fear….especially since this liner seems to be more “jelly” than dry. My Stila gel liner dried out in a pilisecond as did my L’Oreal HIP. Keeping my fingers crossed.

  • Stacy

    My eyelids are soooo oily, even with a primer!! I’m am tempted to try it though. Your eyes look really pretty with the black liner. Love the look on you!!

    • the Muse

      aw thanks stacy! looks like lulu had a good experience with and she has oily lids, read her little review in the comments ;-D

  • Flavia Signori

    It seems to be really creamy-gelly, that’s nice! I’ll buy a bronwish color to try out and if I like it, I’ll certainly buy the black one. I was willing to buy MAC Fluidline Blacktrack, but since I saw your review, I think this eyeliner deserves a chance ^^

    =*****

  • Jane

    I have it in dark slate, and I love it. It is dark enough without overwhelming my eyes, and it wears like silky iron.

  • Claire

    Just found these on display at ulta!!!! I bought three of them, the black, brown, and navy! These remind me a lot of the Mac liners, they are very smooth and pigmented!! So far I’m loving them, the brush is very nice too 🙂

  • Monica

    Hey muse! I’m a new reader to your site (for three weeks) and I’m really enjoying your product reviews. I wish I discovered this sooner! My first gel liner was from the Maybelline Eye Studio line and I only used it a couple times. I wasn’t a fan of the dry consistency and it actually smudged to my crease. I am willing to give gel liners another try and I will be on the look for this one. Might get a brown one instead of the black.

    • the Muse

      hi monica! good to meet you! aw thanks <3! so glad you enjoy my babbling! Me either, people rave it all the time but I seriously didn't like it at all, plus it dries flaky! :-/ Do try this I think you'll like it! It has a much nicer formula than the eye studio!

  • Rachel

    I can’t wait to try this! I typically use fluidline when I feel like gel liner but it smudges on me, so hopefully this will stay on better! And brush does look quite nice. Thanks for the review! 🙂

  • Melissa

    Thanks! I love fluid lines by Mac but this is worth a try for $10! I’ll wait for a $3.50 off coupon at ulta this weekend and check it out.

  • Lisa Marie

    I got this eyeliner a week ago and have been using it every day. I LOVE it. LOVE IT. I never LOVE eyeliner. I am constantly not satisfied. This is so easy to apply. It smudges nice if you want to use it as a base for your shadow. It lasts forever on the waterline. I purchased the blackest black. I like that it isn’t a flat finish, that can sometimes translate as a grey, this is not quite glossy either. It even goes onto brushes easily–no over abundance of product. I wear a cat-eye “pinup” style liner almost daily and this makes a flawless line easily and stays defined for beyond 12 hours on my oily lids. I am liking the brush it came with, love that the brush comes with a nice cap. I also use my tarte eyeliner brush with great success. If you like Maybelline’s gel eyeliner, I think this one will wow you even more.

    BTW Muse your pictures with this product are adorable. Your eyes look stunning.

    • the Muse

      GREAT review lisa thanks for adding your good word in! I felt the same, quite well done and I’m terribly picky about eyeliner! awwww thanks you’re far too kind <3!

  • JenJ

    ” I’d hate it and I ended up loving it” LOL!!!! I have more than enough gel liners right now with the majority being Bobbi Brown. I may check it out when I’m out and about and if I remember lol! I see they have navy and I’m in the market for this color. hahaa!

  • Jo

    I really love the Maybelline one. Mac has a bit too much slip for me. If it is hot sometimes I set it with a little powder but I like the sound of this one. I wonder if/hope we get it in the UK!

  • Jo

    We have just had a L’Oreal gel liner launched here though so maybe we won’t get it 🙁

  • Avalith

    omg! I cant wait to get it now! I have both Maybelline Studio and Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners.. I’ve been loving my bobbi brown, but I try to save it for more “special” occasions where i need my eyeliner to look better… but I think with this I can afford to use it everyday!

  • Rosa

    Hi Muse,
    I love to read ur blog every single day, 😀 u r such a cute blogeer , love ur eyes ( like bambi’s eyes) 😀 love ya muse
    cheers,
    Rosa

  • Lily

    To bad it’s not waterproof like Maybelline… Maybelline I wear to the pool…

  • BeautyNTheBrains

    I too hated the Maybelline one it wasn’t pigmented enough in my opinion, purchased this tonight and so glad I did….just wonderful! Looks like I may have a new HG item on my hands!

  • PonPon

    Thought I tried this since it was on clearance at Target for $2.60 and I also had $1 off coupon. What a great deal! I was actually surprise how great the formula and brush were. I’m glad I purchased it.

  • Jo March

    I love the Loreal gel eyeliner. I have allergies and my watery eyes meant that all eyeliners didn’t last for the 30 minute ride to work. This lasts all day, and evening so I’m thrilled with it.

  • crango

    Thanks for this review, I got some and I am impressed! I’ve been using lancome’s gel liner but this one applies so much smoother and is way more pigmented! Not to mention a fraction of what the lancome one was!

  • Anna

    Thanks for your review. I have really oily skin and I am running low on blacktrack, so I am looking for a good gel liner. I might try this and keep my receipt just in case.

    I am just curious why you hide your hair? I think you would be really pretty with your hair down in your pictures. D; I am sorry if I offended you.

    • the Muse

      my pleasure anna, hope you like it as much as I do. no offense taken? I just typically do my makeup before my hair in the morning and take photos than so it isn’t down or “done” when I take the photos and in most cases I’m headed out the door to work and hate having it in my face at work so I keep it up and out of the way since it’s so long and wavy 🙂

  • Natalie

    Thanks for your review! I seem to be way behind the bandwagon on this (I thought they just came out with a new eyeliner…) but I really appreciated reading your review. I’m always on the lookout for eyeliners since I can be annoyingly picky. I dislike pencils because they smudge, and some gels smudge too. Eeep! So difficult. Thanks again – it was great reading what you thought. It sounds amazing!

  • Anne

    Great review! I bought Slate back in Aug and it is still gliding on. Love the smooth formula and rich color. I use it everyday on my upper lash line and waterline. Always lasts the day and doesn’t irritate my contacts either. Keeps my eye routine very simple because it’s so dramatic. Put some on with a little mascara and voila–done! I’m hoping they come out with a plumish color at some point…

  • DivaDebbi

    Hey Sweetie,
    I just reviewed it too and I can’t believe how much I like it as well. I think it looks fabulous on you! Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Eye Gel Liner has always been my Holy Grail, but I found this 1000x easier to apply. How nice is it that its a drugstore find too? 🙂

  • Kristina

    I know this post is super old, but I just wanted to let you know any time I Google a product, your website pops up and I always appreciate that you have reviews for EVERYTHING! Lol. I’m just going to start searching on your website instead hahaha