L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation Review

Until recently, my main beauty issue was spots, so covering them was key, and I’d duly get through quite a few pans of Laura Mercier’s Secret Camouflage every year. It was my most faithful companion, and to this day, I don’t leave the house without a LMSC compact stashed in my handbag.

Oddly, given that coverage was so important to me, the choice of foundation itself didn’t matter all that much, provided it was present – it just had to be about the right colour and not too greasy, as I would go over patches of spots with LMSC to cover and then put powder on to set my base, meaning whatever was under the other stuff was a secondary player to the much more important concealer.

Everything changed after the genius facialist Pam Marshall, who works at Mortar & Milk, got my skin under control. With fewer break outs, I realised that in their wake lay skin that needed a bit of unifying – and a big leg up in the glow department. Suddenly foundation was centre stage in my make-up efforts.

And that’s when L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Pro Glow Longwear Foundation entered my life. Most of the bases I’d been using suddenly were too matte, too heavy, too foundation-y. I wanted something that would give me glow without grease, a little coverage without dumping shedloads of make-up on my face, and something I could massage on with my fingertips.

Infallible Pro Glow fit the bill perfectly. It offers buildable coverage with a side of glow, it doesn’t ever look caked on, and it really does stay put well without settling into creases too much. I’m going to use the most hackneyed term used by beauty writers the world over now, but here goes: it’s your skin, but better.

I’m a huge fan and have worn it almost exclusively all summer and see no reason not to keep it as a mainstay. Above, I have it on with Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Powder on top for extra sheen on the tops of my cheeks.

There’s a fly in the ointment: it doesn’t seem to be available anywhere but on Amazon, which makes choosing a shade tricky. But don’t lose heart – all the Pro Glow shades are simply named from 201 upwards, so if you’re at a loss, buy two you think are either side of your skin tone and mix them. I currently blend 201 with 205 on the back of my hand before applying.

I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re very oily and generally need a foundation that finishes as a powder, but for ‘normal’ or dry skin, it’s fantastic. Also, note that this isn’t a skincare/make-up hybrid – more’s the pity – so don’t expect it to do anything but make your skin look great that day.