ootdfashion
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I had promised to regularly review foundations, but the last one was Clinique’s Even Better Glow, which was quite some time ago. To be fair, it was such a great foundation that I didn’t really want to stop using it to try something else. It was light, fresh, and dewy, giving the impression I had actually slept well. You can check out that review if you’re interested in a nice foundation for the summer.
Lately, though, I’ve been using the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Shaping Stick Foundation more than anything else, especially during the past month. It’s excellent. I used to think cushion foundations were my go-to and that I would use them forever. But then I discovered how amazing and convenient stick foundations are and questioned how I hadn’t noticed them before.
Stick foundations have been around for ages, but they often felt too greasy for me. They were quick to apply and easy to blend, but they’d make my t-zone oily after just a few hours. Thankfully, the L’Oreal Infallible Stick is different. It’s creamy when applied, blends seamlessly, and then sets to a velvety, non-greasy finish.
(As a side note, I tested the Barry M stick before the L’Oreal one—I’ll post a review once I have some before and after pictures. That one is almost matte, so if you like the idea of a stick foundation but have oily skin, it might be worth checking out, though I find the finish a bit flat.)
The Infallible Stick has a good finish and longevity. It’s not like Double Wear or any full-coverage foundations, but it lasts through a long day, which is fine by me. If you’re looking for a foundation that provides heavy coverage, this might not be your best choice as it offers medium coverage unless you build it up. However, if you’re after convenience and a blendable formula that looks natural, this could be perfect.
What I love most is the ease of use. You just take the lid off the stick and apply it directly to your face. I usually make little cat whisker marks from my nose, dap some on my chin and forehead, and then blend with a foundation brush. It takes about fifteen seconds. You can build it up where needed, like under the eyes or around the nose, but applying sparingly gives a natural base. By focusing on the center of the face and blending outward, I achieve a youthful, fresh look without any heavy coverage. This method also helps avoid any awkward blending at the hairline or upper lip, areas which can be tricky.
Now, let’s look at the before and after effects of using this stick. Although it might be embarrassing to see the white streaks from the face cream in the “before” shot, I think it’s important to show the real difference. After application, redness around my nose is reduced, dark circles are less noticeable, and overall, my skin tone looks smoother. You can see that the coverage is quite sheer, but it evens out the skin impressively with just a light layer.
If you really want full coverage, you could layer it on more, but that goes against why I like this stick so much—it’s fast and easy. If I wanted to spend a lot of time perfecting an Instagram-ready face, I’d probably reach for my Dior Forever Mousse and carefully blend with a brush and sponge.
For my day-to-day needs, when I’m not in front of a camera or at an event, the Infallible Shaping Stick Foundation is great. It’s pigmented, creamy, easy to apply, and quick to set, but most importantly, it’s convenient.
You can find the Infallible Shaping Stick Foundation in twelve shades at places like Amazon, Boots, and FeelUnique, usually priced at £8.99, but there are often discounts available. I use shade 140, but a darker shade might work better for summer.
Feel free to read my other foundation reviews if you’re curious. Just so you know, I’m part of the L’Oreal Beauty Squad, but any related content is clearly marked “AD,” while other mentions are purely editorial and unsponsored.
