 |
| Above: Products to create a super subtle nude look. |
This past weekend, I was gifted with the treat of sticking close to home; this relaxed time enabled me to catch up on some work, run a round of errands and preliminarily celebrate my husband’s birthday. I also managed to pick up a new drugstore foundation (on a whim!) that inspired me to create a super subtle nude look, featured in this post.
Kindly scroll on for details on the foundation and images of the subtle look as well the Bottom Line…
 |
| Above: My first drugstore foundation in ages…this formula is impressive. |
The L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation caught my eye due to its streamlined packaging (I have a penchant for squeeze tubes…so apropos for the handbag) and boast of 24 hour performance. A quick perusal of mostly favorable Makeup Alley reviews was just the catalyst I needed to toss shade #105 Natural Beige into my cart of (mostly) household essentials. I have since tried this foundation three times and each trial has yeilded favorable results!
The foundation:
- Offers medium to full coverage; Natural Beige is an extremely suitable match for NC 25-27 skin tones
- Smooths onto skin without an overly “silicon-y” finish (I apply with a dampened beauty blender
- Is completely unscented (magnifique!)
- Blurs pores and fine lines and doesn’t sink into either as the day wears on…it also doesn’t exhibit any oxidation
- Has a satin-matte finish that doesn’t look flat; however, it dries down matte enough to not require powder to set
- Has remarkable lasting power (8-10 hours with little to no touchups). I am not in the market to test the purported 24 hour longevity of this formula (I like to sleep at some point) but its wear time, in my experience, is formidable.
- In terms of texture, finish and wear reminds me most of the Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation…this is an excellent drugstore alternative.
I am often asked to suggest drugstore options on par with my favorite high-end foundations (Shu Uemura! Sensai! Dolce and Gabbana! Tom Ford!) and I am thrilled to be able to recommend the L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation for those seeking an affordable formula that offers medium to full coverage and a satin matte finish!
 |
| Above: Shade #105 Natural Beige is a great match for NC 25-27 skin. |
 |
| Above: The full ingredients list…remarkably short, no? |
 |
| Above: A swatch of Natural Beige in outdoor lighting. |
To build the look that follows, I found myself embracing some classic favorites (from Charlotte Tilbury and Surratt Beauty) and new procurements (from Giorgio Armani Beauty and Becca).
 |
| Above: Products used in the images that follow. |
Product Rundown:
- L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation in #105 Natural Beige
- Becca Lowlight/Highlight Perfecting Palette (to contour and highlight)…reviewed HERE
- Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in First Love (to deepen contour)…reviewed HERE
- Charlotte Tilbury Cheek to Chic Blush in Love Glow (on apples of the cheeks)…reviewed HERE
- Surratt Beauty Surrealiste Skin Concealer (under eyes)…reviewed HERE and HERE
- Surratt Beauty Expressioniste Brow Pencil in Brunette…reviewed HERE
- Giorgio Armani Fluid Eye Color #11 Rose Ashes (blended on upper lid and lower lash line)…reviewed HERE
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara (2 coats)…reviewed HERE
- Lips lined with Charlotte Tilbury Lip Liner in Pillow Talk (also available at Nordstrom)…my favorite pinky nude lipliner to date. This formula is so smooth and lasts for hours on end!
- The liner base was topped with Serge Lutens Lipstick in Mauve de Swann (I forgot how much I adore this splurge-worthy wonder)…reviewed HERE
 |
| Above: Swatches of all products in outdoor light. |
The following images reflect all products in action in various lighting situations…
 |
| Above: Giorgio Armani Rose in Ashes lends a soft rose taupe sheen to the eyes. |
 |
| Above: Closeup with a flash. |
 |
| Above: Outdoor shade, no flash. |
 |
| Above: Outdoor lighting with a flash. |
 |
| Above: Outdoor lighting, with a flash. |
 |
| Above: Outdoor lighting, no flash. |
–Shop the Post–
Bottom Line: I hope your week is off to a marvelous start and that enjoyed this brief venture back into pinky nude territory. The L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation was a delightful discovery for me and I am excited to continue experimenting with it.
What are some of YOUR drugstore discoveries as of late? Do share!
Good things ahead, including some new product profiles (Hourglass! Bobbi Brown! Mirenesse! , a skincare update and an everyday makeup routine video ; )
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
© 2012-14 Beautyprofessor® All Rights Reserved. Do not copy, reprint or republish content and/or photos without author’s written permission.
Comments (20)
I love your reviews. I have similar coloring to you albeit I am older than you. Do you have any other (high end is fine) foundations in a tube packaging you like? I travel a lot and am always on the prowl for easy to pack beauty products. Thank you.
Thank you! With regards to your question, the Cle de Peau Beaute Cream foundation comes in a tube as does the Jouer Matte and Moisturizing Tints. Both are great options!
I hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
Hi BP, So glad to see you like and recommend the L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect foundation although not to the extend you are. I've been working my way through a bottle of YSL foundation and my next purchase was to be either the Zelens anti aging foundation or the Tom Ford Traceless. Last week I picked up the L'Oreal on a whim and thought it was amazing. I found it a tiny bit too mat for my liking so I have been experimenting with mixing in a drop of the YSL or a drop of highlighter. So far so good and I can't see spend the money for the other foundations, at least not yet.
Hi Anon,
Thanks! Ahh…you can't go wrong with the Zelens or the Tom Ford Traceless…both are marvelous high-end options. Glad to hear that you're loving the L'Oreal…it's always such a nice surprise when a "whim" purchase turns out to be effective. Mixing it with a drop of highlighter is a great idea to mitigate the matte finish a bit!
Hope your week is off to a great start…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
What a beautiful look with a healthy glow! Love it!
Thank you, Tatiana! So appreciate it.
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
I saw that foundation a few weeks ago and wondered how matte was matte? It looks great!
Thanks, Clever Girl! It is matte, but still very wearable!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
This foundation looks as good, if not better, than a lot of the high end foundations you've worn. Amazing, natural finish & color for you. Score!
Thank you ever so much…what a compliment! I so appreciate the comment!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
I love this eyeshadow color on you! I must try it. How would you describe the shimmer content for this? Additionally, every since you posted about the Astalift foundation, I've been on a massive hunt to track it down. I found a seller on eBay but they don't ship to the US. If you happen to find any online seller that ships to the US, I would love to know! The fact that this is so difficult to procure makes me want it that much more!
Hi MG,
I hope your week is going well! Thank you so much! The shimmer content is very subtle…it is luminous but not glittery. Also, once it sets in a few second, it doesn't budge so there is no fallout. Ahh…the Astalift. I think I've found an online seller (I need to email her back today) in the UK and will be placing an order this week. Please feel free to email me directly and I can send you her details!
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
I am notoriously anti-drugstore makeup because I invariably spend too much money and time find the perfect shade and the quality never seems on par with the high-end lines. I save so much time getting it right the first time at Norstroms or Neiman Marcus, etc. Having said that, I can not remeber ever seeing your foundation photograph that beautifully EVER. What a gourgeous, seamless finish. Not to matte, your skin but flawless! OMG! So very impressed! And when I saw the swtch all I could think was "that is so yellow", but not on you, no not one bit! Well Done!!
Hi Lisa,
I hear you…even though they are relatively inexpensive, I, too, rarely find products that end up being used on a regular basis, thereby wasting my money. In turn, imagine my surprise with this discovery! Thank you for your sweet words about my pictures.
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Of your favorite foundations which is best for very dry skin? I have been searching for a while and many are cakey and drying in these winter months. Tinted moisturizer is just not giving me enough coverage. Thank you!!
Hi Kimberly,
In response to your question, I love the Sensai Cream Foundation and Cle de Peau Radiant Fluid for skin that is feeling dry. Both are incredible!
I hope that helps…xx,
–The Beauty Professor
The ordinary Infallible remains me a lot of the now OOP Chanel Pro Lumiere (if you are familiar with that foundation), so I am curious about the pro matte one, too bad it didn't come on a pump bottle, though.
The squeeze tube is actually quite handy!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor
I bought this foundation today in natural beige- my skin tone is close to yours which is very convenient when I need to color match. I also got a Nyx lipstick in Thalia which I had read was a great nude color and for $3.99 I figured I'd try it. Another drugstore find was maybelline color tattoo cream eye shadow. I have the bronze shade and it reminds me of some of the colors you like to wear. I also ordered the sk-II facial treatment essence in a trial size because you have been raving about it! Finally, I just got some new paulas choice skincare items which are great so far.
Thanks for sharing your experience and recent procurements, Amy!!
Enjoy your Facial Treatment Essence…it is so very good and I hope you love it as I do!
xx,
–The Beauty Professor