Review: L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Golden Sage

If you've been reading this blog for a while, then you know two things: 1) I've been waiting months for these Infallible Eyeshadows to hit the US (they've been compared to Armani Eyes To Kill shadows) and 2) I'm a sucker for golden-green eyeshadows.

So it was a no-brainer that when I spotted the display for the new L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows at my local Bed Bath and Beyond, I was going to buy one, and it HAD to be Golden Sage.

Now that I've tested this shadow for a few weeks, I'd love to share my thoughts with you:

 L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Sage

(retail: $8.79 at Bed Bath & Beyond, 0.12 oz)

After looking at these shadows for months on other blogs, I was surprised that, in person, they're actually smaller than I thought they would be. Here's a pic next to a MAC eyeshadow single, for reference:

 They're not bulky AT ALL, which was a pleasant surprise. 

PLEASE NOTE: I always try, whenever possible, to feature the ingredients of the products I review. HOWEVER, when I peeled back the label on this product, the pictures above and below were all that I saw. I even tried to peel back the bottom layer of the label but there were no ingredients listed on the bottom layer either. I suspect that these are like other L'Oreal products I've encountered; L'Oreal supplies a paper brochure in the permanent wall display that includes the ingredients for each product. Unfortunately, I have yet to see these shadows in a permanent wall display YET, so until then I have no ingredients to share with you.

When you unscrew the lid, there's a little "flattener" that rests on top of the shadow. You are NOT supposed to discard this.

This is a pressed pigment. Some have commented that they thought this was actually a cream eyeshadow. I can see where one might think that because they are quite creamy, but they're actually made of powder. The "flattener" not only keeps the shadow from drying out, but it also acts to keep the pressed pigmented pressed.

If you apply too much pressure to this shadow, it will crumble, like this:

 But I assure you, this shadow is so pigmented that you would NEVER need to apply that much pressure. I just did this for demonstration purposes.

After reading several reviews of this product, I have to tell you that I was kind of intimidated to try it the first time. I had read that you MUST use your finger for application for maximum pigmentation and that you need to "pat" on the product as opposed to sweeping it across the lid. Well that might very well be the case for OTHER shades, but for Golden Sage, I found that using my fingertip was NOT the ideal method of application. Using a traditional eyeshadow brush (I used my trusty e.l.f. Eye Shadow Brush) is the perfect method of application for this particular shadow. I found that using my finger really thinned out the pigmentation, while using a brush delivered the maximum pigmentation and shimmer.

I really wanted to put this shadow to the test, considering that it claims to be a 24HR shadow. In case you're a new reader, I have super oily skin (even in cold weather). So let's see how it did!

These first three photos were taken just moments after application. I did NOT use any eyeshadow primer beforehand, and the ONLY eyeshadow I'm wearing is L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Sage, applied from lashline to crease and then blended upward (with my e.l.f. Eyeshadow Brush): 

The following three photos were taken nine hours after the above three photos were taken. I did not touch-up any part of my face during this time (as evidenced by the break-through shine on my face!):

Not only did this eyeshadow stay put, but it even looked MORE shimmery after nine hours (I suspect this had to do with my skin's natural oils mixing with the shadow).

I want to tell you that I have worn Golden Sage numerous times in the last few weeks, and every single time, it yielded the same results for me WITHOUT the use of eyeshadow primer beforehand. In fact, I can't even tell you how this product works WITH primer, because I have honestly never felt the need to use a primer first. I also cannot tell you how this shadow works as a base for other shadows, because I have never felt the need to apply another shadow on top of Golden Sage. It's so incredibly pigmented that I just have no desire to mix it with anything else. For me, it's the perfect one-color-look. 

As mentioned above, the texture is SUPER creamy and since it is a pressed pigment, it will crumble in the pot if you apply too much pressure with your brush. HOWEVER, you don't need to apply much pressure to get fantastic pigmentation, so for me there have been absolutely no issues with fallout during application.

FINAL VERDICT: I cannot speak for other shades in this range, but Golden Sage is a WINNER. It lasts all day and night for me (becoming even more shimmery as my skin's natural oils come to the surface) and it removes easily with my standard facial cleanser. I find that using a brush for application is the best method for Golden Sage, because the pigmentation is very strong with a brush (less so if you use your fingers). I required no special techniques or tricks to get this shadow to work--I can treat it just like a regular powder shadow and it works like a dream. I highly recommend L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Sage and I can't wait to try other shades to see if I get the same results.

PS: I think that Golden Sage might be a great dupe for Urban Decay Mildew--I'll have to find Mildew in my stash to confirm, but going on memory alone I believe they're quite close.

Do you already own any L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows? If so, what shades do you own and how do you like them? I'd love to hear from you!

This product was purchased with personal funds.