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L’Oréal Foundation Review

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Step 1 – primer. Step 2 – foundation. Many of us go through with those two steps before we do anything else. If you want your look to last, if you want to keep your skin looking good, and if you want to have an easier time applying makeup, then using a foundation is highly recommended.

Putting on this type of makeup takes some extra time, yes. But it is usually well-worth the results. When you use a good foundation which matches your skin type and shade, you’re able to put on the rest of the makeup with greater ease and less worry. Depending on the formula, your foundation can help in the layering of makeup and in keeping your face hydrated.

L’Oréal is an everyday brand, a drugstore brand by all accounts. But within this popular niche they certainly manage to shine and grab the attention of their customers. The company is a regular innovator and industry leader, and it has been around since the summer of 1909.

L’Oréal Foundation Line Overview

Girl laying down smiling.

L’Oréal has products for every skin type.

The foundations which L’Oréal offers come from the company’s various lines of Infallible, True Match Lumi, and Visible Lift. Whether your skin is oily, dry, or combination, you’ll be able to find a L’Oréal product which works with your surface and shade.

Going through this list of L’Oréal foundation line products, I am reminded of Jerry Seinfeld’s comedy bit about cold medicine: “this one’s quick-acting, but that one’s long-lasting! When do I need to feel good – now or later?” I am also reminded that not all foundations are made the same, and that some have more natural ingredients and extracts than others. This makes a difference- for me, anyway.

The purpose of foundation makeup is to provide the wearer with a smooth and even surface to work with. There are many drugstore brands who produce foundations, and some of them are quite good. L’Oréal has a lot to offer in that department, with 10 different types to choose from. They know how to make it work – they’ve been around for over 100 years! As I say in other cases: you don’t get to those numbers without doing something right.

L’Oréal Total Cover Foundation Review

L'Oréal's total cover foundation.

L’Oréal’s total cover foundation.

The L’Oréal Total Cover foundation is almost mousse-like in its consistency, but I’d rather have that than a foundation which is very runny. For a foundation that’s been around a while, it tends to polarize users. I’ll tell you this: it really does manage to provide total coverage, but this won’t be the case on any face. I can tell you that just from my personal experience with it.

Total cover does its job very well, and I feel that even if it won’t be perfect every time – and it won’t fit every skin type and every situation – there is still a lot to be said for this product’s ability to create that clean, smooth surface which full coverage promises to begin with. If you have very dry skin, consider using a different one. This is because you could end up needing more product, and then it may start to cake up. It comes in 12 different shades to choose from, and will run you $12.99.

L’Oréal Pro Matte Foundation Review

The L’Oréal Pro Matte foundation is also less recommended for drier skin, or so I feel. It has medium coverage, and the finish is nice and matte. Note that there is no alcohol and no SPF in this one. If you need sunscreen with you foundation, consider going for something else. Overall, this yielded a really smooth face, and I was happy with the results.

The only problem was that – whether because of my day or the product – it didn’t manage to make it for 24 hours, as the company says. But I tend to chalk that up to daily circumstances combined with marketing copy. Just like I have never ever had a deodorant that seriously lasts for 24 or 48 hours, I didn’t really expect this to last as long.

L’Oréal marketed this as “matte without the flat”, and it’s a good foundation if you want that non-glow look and a smooth start to your day. It comes in 22 different shades and also costs $12.99.

L’Oréal Lumi Foundation Review

L'Oréal's lumi foundation.

L’Oréal’s lumi foundation.

The L’Oréal Lumi foundation, like the next one, has a luminous finish to it (hence the name). There are “glowing” foundations which use chemicals to provide the skin with the appearance of luminous skin, when in fact the glow itself is only skin-deep, so to speak. This foundation promises to do both: short term luminosity, and long term health leading to a more natural glow, regardless of the product.

Available in 15 shades, this foundation is considered one of the best drugstore foundations to come out in 2016. It is safe for sensitive skin. But I would still avoid it if you have sensitive skin and instead opt for one which is specifically formulated for that type of skin. The L’Oréal Lumi foundation costs $12.95.

L’Oréal Pro Glow Foundation Review

The counterpart – to some degree – of the Pro Matte foundation is the L’Oréal Pro Glow foundation. This one is similar: it has long wear time, it goes on very smooth, and it has the ability of a medium coverage. There is indeed a noticeable healthy shine, and it looks really great if that is what you are going for! Well, obviously, if you’re using Pro Glow, it is what you’re going for…

This product offers hydration along with SPF for all-day protection and nourishment. The Pro Glow foundation could be better for those with dry skin. Those with oily skin my want to skip this one, or at least give it a test run before deciding this is the one for you.

The foundation managed to last, and so did the glow. I was actually pleasantly surprised by this one. It exceeded my expectations for this rather simple-looking, squeezy-tube drugstore brand foundation. The foundation comes in 12 different shades, for a price of $12.99.

L’Oréal True Match Foundation Review

L'Oréal's true match foundation.

L’Oréal’s true match foundation.

Available in 4 shades (though there were 18 available for some time or in some locations), the L’Oréal True Match foundation has a very light coverage to it. Its secret is not necessarily in the heaviness of the coverage it provides, but rather in the natural way which it glides on and stays on, without sticking or caking. The product manages to provide a finish which is pretty true to your natural skin color, without a glow or matte complexion.

This foundation comes with an SPF of 17, and for some users that protection is not going to be enough. But there are those who will be more than happy with this setup. The “total match” aspect of it comes from L’Oréal’s proprietary Precise Match technology. This foundation costs about the same as the rest at $12.95.

L’Oréal Mineral Foundation Review

The L’Oréal Mineral foundation formula is unique among L’Oréal’s foundations because of its ingredients. Made with talc-free, preservative-free, and fragrance-free minerals, this foundation costs a little more ($15.95) but is definitely worth the difference in price!

The coverage is medium, and it is said to last up to 16 hours. I found that after about 6-7 I needed to touch up, but otherwise it was flawless. With an SPF of 19, plus a natural finish with a hint of shine, it’s a product that can fit different skin types. Although, the minerals in the formula could be less applicable for those with oily skin. Trial and error are the best guides.

L’Oréal 24 Hour Foundation Review

The L’Oréal 24 Hour foundation is available in a whopping 30 shades, and it’s one of the latest offers by L’Oréal. They are looking to this product to be one of their top-selling foundations, so there is no wonder why the company invested the money and time to create it in many varieties. This foundation costs $14.99.

It offers a medium-to-full coverage, but I actually didn’t enjoy this one at all. This is totally subjective to my experience, of course. But for whatever reason, I did not enjoy using it or having it on my face. This has happened to me in the past with other kinds of makeup, and it wasn’t a bad reaction or anything. It was just a heavyweight feeling which I don’t like at all.

Arriving with SPF protection, and possessing the ability to resist dirt, sweat, and water – this foundation does seem to have many of the positive traits that many previous L’Oréal foundations had. But for whatever reason, it did not sit well with me, and I don’t think I will be buying this particular one again.

Conclusion

I didn’t cover every single one of L’Oréal’s foundations here. I also probably never wore them all, and I wouldn’t presume to know everything about them. I’d say I’ve seen and tried my fair share. Plus, there are some items which have been discontinued over the years. Of course, this is the age of the internet, and people will be able to purchase any recently-discontinued L’Oréal products for some time, I am sure.

This post didn’t do these foundations the justice they deserve, I fear. The only one who can do right by them is you, the consumer. If you are in the market for a new foundation, no matter the reason, L’Oréal is a company you should take into consideration. They are affordable, they are reliable, and their products work. I feel there isn’t much more you can ask from a drugstore brand.

Makeup can be such a hassle, and a good foundation will bring you a much better and more convenient experience. Depending on the buildability, you’ll find that your look stays fresher for longer, and that the coverage lasts. Not for 24 hours, perhaps, but it will last a long time and give you a lot of value for your money.