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L'Oreal Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner Review, Photos, Swatches

L'Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L’Oreal Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner ($8.99 for 0.03 oz.) is supposed to be a long-wearing, smudge-proof formula that will glide on smoothly and last for 16 hours. My experience with them is that they’re long-wearing–easily nine to ten hour wear–but sixteen is a total stretch as there is only about a third of the eyeliner remaining. They don’t smudge or budge during the day, and they set fairly quickly, so if you prefer to smudge out your eyeliner, you may find this formula dries too fast. What I really liked about these was how creamy and silky the texture was, as they glided easily across the lash line. The color payoff was pretty good, though the purple shade was the weakest of the three. I wish they didn’t claim such a long wear time, because I loved two of the three shades I tested, but their scores are being pulled down because of that claim.

L’Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner ($8.99 for 0.03 oz.) is a brightened, medium-dark purple with pinkish tones and a satiny finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage in one stroke, which was buildable in intensity, but the coverage was somewhat uneven. It wore well for nine hours before starting to gradually thin and fade away. Sephora Collection Eccentric Diva (P, $9.00) is cooler-toned. NARS Blue Dahlia (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery. Buxom Door’s Unlocked (P, $17.00) is cooler-toned. Laura Mercier Violet (P, $24.00) is less shimmery. Urban Decay Ransom (LE, $19.00) is darker, more iridescent. Urban Decay Psychedelic Sister (P, $19.00) is slightly darker. See comparison swatches/ view dupes.

L’Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner ($8.99 for 0.03 oz.) is a brightened, medium-dark blue with a satin finish. It had good color payoff in one pass, and it was buildable to fully opaque in about a layer and a half. The consistency is creamy, easy to apply, and the product wore well for ten hours before starting to thin and fade. NARS Most Wanted (LE, $24.00) is more muted, lighter. Sephora Collection My Boyfriend’s Jeans (P, $9.00) is more shimmery. Urban Decay Chaos (P, $19.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches/ view dupes.

L’Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner ($8.99 for 0.03 oz.) is a bold, brightened blue-teal with a pearly sheen. It had fantastic pigmentat in a single stroke, and the consistency was creamy and glided across the lash line without tugging or dragging. The color wore well for ten and a half hours before it started to fade. Urban Decay Vacancy (LE, $19.00) is more muted. Tarina Tarantino Spark of Envy (P, $15.00) is a touch less blue. Urban Decay Deep End (P, $19.00) is similar. See comparison swatches/ view dupes.

Pure Purple (240)

PPermanent. $8.99.
B-
B-
8.5
Product
8
Pigmentation
9
Texture
7
Longevity
4.5
Application
82%
Total

Cobalt Blue (250)

PPermanent. $8.99.
A-
A-
9
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
10
Texture
7.5
Longevity
5
Application
91%
Total

True Teal (260)

PPermanent. $8.99.
A
A
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
10
Texture
8
Longevity
5
Application
93%
Total

See more photos & swatches!

L'Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Pure Purple (240) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal Cobalt Blue (250) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

L'Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner
L’Oreal True Teal (260) Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner

149 Comments

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xamyx Avatar

I certainly hope not! I can’t wear UD liners for more than 10 minutes before they completely disappear, but in nearly 30 years, I’ve never had any issues with L’Oréal. L’Oréal has been my HG liner for decades, and have consistently performed. Conversely, UD is HG for so many, and it would be unfair to both sides to change either.

Quinctia Avatar

L’Oreal has had a comparable formula before, in my opinion–the HIP Chrome pencils were in the same vein as UD’s, the Milani Liquif’eye, etc. I think they’re all made in Germany and very similar in formulation.

Ginny Avatar

Ooo, I like the Cobalt one! Might pick it up. Thanks for reviewing these! L’Oreal makes a similar pencil called Extra Intense Liquid Pencil in Carbon Black- pretty good dupe for UD Perversion, and it comes with a smudger end. I have a question about these– do you sharpen them, or is it a twist up? I’ve read multiple reviews of people angrily declaring that there’s no way to do either, and that L’Oreal is selling a little tip of product for $8. And I’m like…. come on people, lol. I haven’t had to sharpen my black one yet so I haven’t tried either method myself.

Ginny Avatar

Okay! I have Grindhouse so I’m not worried about it. The reviews are pretty entertaining–if you take any joy in other people’s petty frustrations….. lol ::[guilty pleasure]::

Rachel R. Avatar

I would think any good-quality sharpener with sharp blades and that fits the barrel properly would work.

This is L’Oreal’s response on the sharpening issue, from Walmart’s website (reviews): “We recommend using our L’Oréal Dual Sharpener for slim and jumbo pencils. Turn the pencil gently 3 or 4 times, being careful not to apply excess pressure. After sharpening, remove all shavings from the blade edge. The pencil should be sharpened frequently so that 3 or 4 gentle turns are sufficient to achieve the desired result. The Dual Sharpener should be replaced whenever the blade has dulled and is no longer giving the expected results.
If you are still having difficulties, give us a call at 800.322.2036 M-F 9am – 5:30pm ET.”

Christine Avatar

I’m surprised they responded – that’s pretty good. I’ve used UD’s Grindhouse for most of my makeup-loving life, so I’ve never encountered an issue with sharpening except if it’s a really thick, plastic barrel (like so thick that it’s more like the twist-up containers you see now) OR if the product itself is so soft that it all gets caught in the sharpener.

Rachel R. Avatar

I use a dual Sonia Kashuk or Grindhouse.

I was surprised and impressed the company responded to the complaints, too. They get brownie points for good customer service.

Allie Avatar

Holy crap!! Way to go L’Oreal!! They look so similar to the UD liners. I know UD is a brand of L’Oreal.. I bet their formula is pretty similar!! Want all three!!

xamyx Avatar

I haven’t tried this particular “formulation”, but it looks very similar to previous ones, which tend to be very similar (if not exact!), but L’Oréal just repackages/renames them. I’m not complaining, though-L’Oréal has been my brand for eyeliner for 25+ years!

Kate Avatar

I have one of these pencils in plum (a navy purple color) and have really loved using it. I have used it on my waterline and it lasts almost as well as my Nars via veneto.

Jessica Avatar

I wish you would let us know how it does on the waterline/ how many hours it wears on the waterline! Thats what I’m really wondering about whenever I read an eyeliner review because I mainly use eyeliners in the waterline! You never include how they wear there 🙁

Christine Avatar

Hi Jessica,

Most eyeliners aren’t waterline safe, and a lot of times, they don’t even say if they are or aren’t, so I don’t usually testing specifically on the water line. When I see that they’re specifically safe, I usually test if I am aware of it 🙂

Ayesha Avatar

I don’t know where to write this but I’ve been meaning to tell you.. so I suppose here will do! I have been following this blog religiously since about 2011. If I’m ever interested in a product, my first instict is “hmm I wonder what Temptalia thought of this” And then I go search or wait for your review!! Honestly, I have seen, watched, read a lot of blogs, videos etc. on makeup. And this has been by far the best. The objective review, the amazing quality of the entire blog, the swatches.. you’re swatches are my favourite. Every other blogger is always compared to you in my head. So thank you Christine <3 For fostering my love for makeup and teaching and guiding me to finding a more confident and happier me 🙂

Sandy Avatar

I third (or fourth)! I never buy a mid or high-end product without a good Temptalia review, and I always check for your review before purchasing a drug store product. You have yet to steer me wrong!

Cinzia Avatar

Cobalt is amazing! Definitely picking it up if I see it! Love that it doesn’t have any shimmer because i find most of the blues at the drugstore do. I also like that they set and aren’t going to smudge all over my lower lash line like my current favourite blue liner.

xamyx Avatar

I very rarely stray from black liner, but I *need* that purple!

I’ve never had any issues using L’Oréal liners on the waterline, even shimmery shades, so I would imagine these would be fine, as well-provided there aren’t any chunks of glitter/sparkle.

xamyx Avatar

It seems every couple of yeara L’Oréal just repackages/renames the same same formulas, LOL! It’s not a bad thing, though; I’d rather they did that than lose a great product.

Patrick Avatar

I have the one in the highlighter shade and I love it! and now I want the cobalt (I bought a limited edition khol liner that was the same colour by lancome, wished I saved my money and waited for this instead) and true teal!

KaseyCannuck Avatar

I had the teal one in my hand today, but I have so many teals now, including Spark Of Envy plus back-ups that I couldn’t justify buying this.

Rachel R. Avatar

I had to get some allergy eye drops at Walgreen’s, and I found the Cobalt and Plum (they had Black, but I didn’t need it). I’ll have to keep my eyes out at other stores for the rest of the colors. They really do glide on very nicely. At least as good as UD, if not better.

Phawn Lane Avatar

I tried these early on when they were first release. I had a problem trying to sharpen it, and ended up returning it. Have you tried to sharpen them w/any success? I REALLY wanted to love this pencil and possibly add it to my kit.

Diana Avatar

I’m really liking Cobalt – might have to pick it up when I hunt around for the new Maybelline Creamy Mattes later. Christine, have you tried any of the Maybelline Creamy Mattes? I’ve heard good things but I always believe your reviews on them because you have a consistent and fair way of reviewing, at least in my eyes haha 🙂

Christine Avatar

Sorry, I haven’t seen them by me! I’ve looked 3x every week for the past four weeks for new stuff, but nothing. I usually don’t review a lot of the limited edition drugstore makeup launches, because they show up SOOOOO late here or they’ll show up and be gone before I check 🙁

Diana Avatar

I found them at Target, but the display only had one or two shades left BUT I managed to pick up 685 Craving Coral which is a gorgeous bright red orange with a hint of pink on me. The CVS near me has them too but they’re so expensive there and there were no sales, so I didn’t pick up any. Based on the one color I have, I like the formula & its not any more drying then say a MAC matte on me but its not as opaque. I can still see my lip freckle through 2 layers of the formula.

Mariella Avatar

Christine, I can’t tell from the photos – do the need sharpening or are they twist up (I hope it’s the latter but I fear it’s the former). As I never was able to get Spark of Envy, I would like to get this one but I do so hate sharpening pencils.

Christine Avatar

They require sharpening, unfortunately! I’m of two minds with sharpening… you get more product with the kind you sharpen (usually 0.04 oz., though these are smaller at 0.03 oz.) and the ones you don’t are usually pretty small (0.01 oz.). Someone who is more science-minded should test out whether you really waste more than 0.02 oz. with a pencil…

KaseyCannuck Avatar

My first thought is that pencils that need sharpening are the better deal, at least for me, because I can get a decently thin line even if the pencil is dull just by applying with a light touch, and it don’t need to waste a lot when I do sharpen then. However…how far down can a pencil be sharpened before it is too short to hold? My daughter can use an eyeliner that is 2 inches long, but I can’t see myself trying to hold on to one that short. The amount of product that gets used is probably equal then, and the biggest difference comes down to the price tag, which tends to be higher with the automatic pencils.

Kristen Avatar

I love these eyeliners! They do what they promise except they definitely don’t last 16 hours. Black, plum and highlighter are my favorite liners.

Allison Avatar

I almost bought one of these today at CVS, but the $10.49 price there annoyed me. I will head for Walmart and pick one up. I was looking for an eye pencil that wouldn’t budge on my waterline or tight line, and I thought this might be it. Now that I see the pretty colors (they didn’t have those at CVS), I might need one of those instead!

Irene Avatar

That teal is stunning! It’s a color I’ve always been curious to try but never dared because I’m not sure it will work with my greenish hazel eyes, at this price point it looks like maybe I can justify it.

Rachel R. Avatar

I have hazel green eyes, and I can pull off teals just fine. It makes my eyes look a bit more gray, but it doesn’t look bad at all. I hope you’ll find teal works for you.

Diane Avatar

I tried the teal on my waterline twice just to make sure it wasn’t my contact lenses. I wear gas permeable lenses. The first time I put it on my lenses got so blurry and my eyes were burning. So
I tried it a second time because I really love the color and ease of application. The same thing happened again. So sadly I guess it’s not good for the waterline. I’m
OK with Urban Decay 25/7 and Marc Jacobs.

Sylirael Avatar

I’m so impressed with the pigmentation on the blue and the turquoise! 😀 I wonder if we have this line here in our L’Oreal stuff…might have to check!

It’s a shame the purple was the weakest of the three, but I think it’s still nice that tdrugstore brands are making *decent* quality liners available in bright colours like these. I know we have less selection for DS brands here anyway, but stuff like this is/was/ pretty rare!

Veronica Avatar

AREN’T THEY GREAT?? I have the highlighter shade, and it’s gorgeous, just the perfect peachy gold shade. I keep meaning to grab more – maybe when Ulta does a BOGO. These don’t stay on my waterline at all (nothing does), but they so hang on surprisingly well to the lash line. I should really grab the purple next time I’m out.

Veronica Avatar

It’s subtler than the bolder shades, but it definitely doesn’t lack pigment or quality. I like it for a pop of metallic on the lash line or in the inner corner.

nueyork Avatar

Cobalt is so stunning. L’Oreal to me is like high-end at the drugstore because most of their products work so, so well and feel luxurious too. I definitely have high hopes for these!

Maggie Avatar

For anyone who doesn’t have a UD Grindhouse sharpener and are having trouble with these, I’ve read somewhere that the L’Oreal sharpener works well on these for anyone who is having trouble with their own sharpener. I’ve also heard that the Essence sharpener is quite close to the UD Grindhouse but more budget friendly.

Dee D Avatar

I keep seeing these and I keep passing on them. I have atleast 2 of each of these colours in other brands right now that Ive barely used so I’ll wait to finish those but I love when DS’es put out great quality products! The cobalt looks stunning I think the fairer skin tones will LOVE that!

zFashionizta Avatar

I purchased two of these this week; my Rite-Aid had 3 shades of purple so I chose 220 Plum and of course the Cobalt. On me Cobalt looks nothing like your swatch, its a darker blue but not navy, regardless the color is still beautiful.
Both of them were very creamy and I made quite a mess testing them on my eyes (now I know I have to be very careful and have Q tips ready when I apply them to step out of the house). When I first applied them I was a little disappointed even though they have very good pigment because on me they looked dry but about 15 minutes later I see a slight sheen and actually looked good; I am happy with my purchase now especially because with the discount I paid about $13 for both.

zFashionizta Avatar

I purchased two of these this week; my Rite-Aid had 3 shades of purple so I chose 220 Plum and of course the Cobalt. On me Cobalt looks nothing like your swatch, its a darker blue but not navy, regardless the color is still beautiful.
Both of them were very creamy and I made quite a mess testing them on my eyes (now I know I have to be very careful and have Q tips ready when I apply them to step out of the house). When I first applied them I was a little disappointed even though they have very good pigment because on me they looked dry but about 15 minutes later I see a slight sheen and actually looked good; I am happy with my purchase now especially because with the discount I paid about $13 for both.
The collection also has a green highlighter (I ♥ greens) but they were sold out of that one at every store I visited.

FYI: at CVS they have an offer on several of the cosmetics lines, spend $15 and get back $5 extra bucks. At Rite-Aid a few of the cosmetic lines have a buy 1 get the other 1/2 off and I don’t know if they’re doing this for everyone but when I went to pay for mine the cashier scanned a $2 off coupon on my purchase.

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