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The Lip Product That Shouldn’t Work But Does

The end-aisle displays in Boots always contain the best huddle of ‘take me home’ products that have just landed. Case in point: on my last trip to said spot I discovered the L’Oreal Infallible 24hr Lip Colours. Are these a re-formulation? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen L’Oreal churn out a similar thing before. Whatever the case the promise of long-lasting, touch-proof colour lured me in and home I came with the shade Red Infallible (along with a bevy of other Boots buys of course).

Here’s the thing though. On paper this set-up just shouldn’t work. On one end you have a densely pigmented liquid lipstick that goes on smooth and seriously packs a punch. I get it, I like it. However on the other end you pop off the lid to a clear moisturising balm that you’re directed to apply over the top of the colour. It all sounds a bit smudgy and messy, right? I have images of it all turning a bit Miranda Sings. But surprisingly it works. Like really well. The slightly pointed applicator deposits the colour precisely and the formula goes on opaque, then the balm applies glossy but in a matter of minutes turns matte and makes things transfer proof. I even tried the pre-teen trick of kissing the back of my hand. Nothing. Na-dah. A few things to note:

  • Due to the colour-then-balm application you do have to be very careful to keep the balm within the lip line. This ain’t tube-friendly makeup here.
  • The colours in the range aside from this in yer face red are a bit so-so. I’m not sure I would go through all the fuss just for a standard nude lip.
  • The balm doubles up as a matte lip balm sans the colour if you’re feeling a nourished, yet shine-free pout. Genius.

Need a red lip that doesn’t budge? L’Oreal have got you covered for just £9.99 (from FeelUnique or Boots). Not bad, not bad.

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