(links marked * are affiliate links, for more info see disclaimer below post)
I’m late with this L’Oreal Pro Glow Foundation review but I think it’ll have been worth waiting for, especially if you are on the hunt for a flawless-finish foundation that manages to look fresh and natural on the skin, that has a bouncy, plumptious finish and great hold. A Holy Grail foundation, if you will, but one that doesn’t cost the earth.
But apologies to those of you who have been patiently waiting; I’ve never had so many questions and comments about a foundation before and so I developed a sort of performance anxiety. I always have an element of self-doubt when I fall massively in love with a beauty product – what if it’s just me? have I tested it enough yet? – which causes me to go the extra mile when I’m putting it through its paces. Just to be sure.
So to cut a long, meandering introduction short; I’ve tested the L’Oreal Infallible Pro Glow foundation to its limits, comparing it with dozens of other foundations and wearing it over a huge array of different face creams and serums and oils and sunscreens and that is why this review is so late.
I’ll start boldly here and say that if you did a blind test with L’Oreal’s Pro Glow foundation and some similar, very expensive foundations (I’ll use Lancome’s Teint Idole here for ease, seeing as though I’ve tested the two out in tandem so many times) then you would be very hard-pushed indeed to tell the difference.
Pro Glow was an instant hit when it launched in the US, prompting a small barrage of emails and messages from people asking me to find out when it would hit the UK. But it didn’t, not for ages, and I’ll admit that I was impatient to try it. The reviews were outstanding, the videos I watched showed a foundation that looked right up my street – non-cakey, a radiant finish and a texture that felt moisturising and comfortable.
Well I can confirm that a) Pro Glow is now in the UK (it’s only at Amazon here* at the moment but I’ll update you if I hear any news of when it will go to other stockists) and b) it is all of the things I hoped it would be. So many foundations now have that elegant, “lit from within” kind of radiance, but few give you the radiant feel as well as the radiant look. So many high-end foundations are very clever in that they can give you that matte, perfectly set finish but still be glowing (Dior’s Forever, Chanel’s Lumiere Velvet, off the top of my head) but sometimes I crave a bounce to my skin, the feeling of moisture on the surface. Not a greasiness, just the pleasing feel of plumptious, well-watered skin.
I remember feeling the same way about Lancome’s Teint Idole as I do about L’Oreal’s Pro Glow; you can read the full review here, but to pick out the relevant bits I was “won over” by the “gorgeous formula”, writing “it’s one of those high-powered face bases that offers it all – a youthful glow, a juicy finish and coverage so full that a proper application leaves you looking as though you’ve been given a new skin.”
I really could just copy and paste that section and give it a new title, because Pro Glow seems so similar. L’Oreal rate Pro Glow’s coverage as “medium”, but after a number of comparison experiments involving moles, biro marks, iPhone cameras and pointlessly late nights, I can confirm that there is very little in the way of difference between Teint Idole’s coverage (which is marketed as full) and Pro Glow’s. Ditto longevity (says 24 hours for both, I’ve tested to 14 and it didn’t flinch), ditto beautiful, youthful finish.
If you have dry skin and have been craving a foundation with fuller coverage with a realistic, non-glimmery radiance then I feel that your beauty ship has just come in. Clinique’s Even Better Glow and Clarins’ Skin Illusion are both nicely dewy on dry skin, but Clinique’s isn’t as comfortable on dry skin as the Pro Glow and both the Clinique and Clarins have far lighter coverage. If you’re looking for coverage without heaviness, whether your skin is dry or not, you will also (I hope) rejoice when you try this face base – it’s somehow light and fluid but at the same time glossy and plumptious. The end result reminds me of a makeup artist trick I used to always be fascinated by; buffing a few drops of face oil into the skin before foundation, to give that gloriously smooth, sheeny finish.
So the before and afters:
I’ve used shade 204 here, but 203 also suits me well, depending on whether I want some extra warmth. I’m afraid it was an incredibly good skin week (great for me, bad for foundation tests!) so we’re looking at overall evenness of tone and beautiful finish, here, rather than degree of coverage.
Although you can see coverage better close-in:
If you focus on the small marks and moles near my nose, it’s easier to compare. I’d also draw your attention to the fact that this foundation doesn’t clog around the upper lip fuzz danger zone – it’s light and liquid enough to blend nicely over it.
I’d go on about the bouncy, fresh-looking finish again too but things would start to get repetitive so let’s move on to the negatives. I had to dig hard, for these, but if pushed I’d say that the tube packaging is ever so slightly dribbly, so you have to be fast when you take the lid off and have the back of your hand ready and waiting to catch the product. (Or the brush, if you like to apply directly to the brush. I don’t, as the product tends to drop right down into the bristles and it’s a waste, but do as you please.)
The only other negative is the relatively small shade range – in comparison to L’Oreal’s True Match foundation it’s a bit sparse with just twelve shades, but I’m hoping that they will expand this soon. Lancome’s Teint Idole has a whopping 40 shades in the range, so if you did want a better match and have the cash to spare (£33 rather than £12) then I can tell you that you’ll be buying an incredibly similar foundation. Elegant, believable and comfortable to wear. A plumpy finish but one that sets fast and won’t shift.
I’ve had quite a few requests to compare Pro Glow to the new (also gorgeous!) Max Factor Radiant Lift foundation, so I shall get onto that next week. I’ve spent the past few days wearing them on one half of my face each, being the dedicated tester that I am.
You can find L’Oreal Infallible Pro Glow foundation at Amazon here* – it’s £11.99 for 30ml.
For comparison:
Very similar feel, finish and performance: Lancome Teint Idole
Similar feel and finish, less coverage: Clinique Even Better Glow, Clarins Skin Illusion
Update: I’m now reviewing foundations on Youtube as well as here on the blog. The first video is here – you can see the foundation being applied, but I’ll go closer in next time, for your viewing pleasure!
It would be good to see you without this and apply in fornt of us, looks like you are wearing alot of product already, it is not clear if you are wearing this product, or what else you ahve used to prime, set etc..
If you search it here on the blog you can see it being applied in quite a few videos x
I love this foundation so much. Definitely one of my favorite drugstore foundations, if not my very favorite.
Hi Ruth,
Thank you for recommending this product. This is the first foundation I have ever worn (I’m 35 – late to the face makeup party); while I prefer a much lighter tinted moisturizer, there are days and events when I need more coverage and this foundation is perfect – and it really does leave you with a beautiful, natural looking glow.
Thanks!
Watching your video and reading this blog post convinced me to get this foundation. I have to say I actually really like it. My skin looks great and natural all day. I have combo skin but is drier when it gets colder so this was an inexpensive pleasure now it isn’t humid and have no need for my matte foundations. I am new to your blog and I love it! Thank you for the recommendation.
Your skin looks so good!
Please review Frame Fix Liquid Foundation Lightness by Suqqu and find me a less expensive dupe!
So they managed to dupe the two most sought-after foundations, the double wear and teint Idole. Loreal has been killing with their foundations lately- I keep hearing good things about their infallible stick. Have the worst feeling this might break me out, alcohol is pretty high up the ingredients list. Love their matte foundation though; unfortunately, it’s a little too yellow to be worn on its own. Nevertheless.
Alcohol is last on the ingredients list on the one I have from the UK. US one it’s second or third… x
Hi Ruth, could it be that it is called “Infallible Fresh” in other countries, or is that another foundation altogether?
are you in Asia- no, it’s not the same. Mat magique and infallible pro, on the other hand, are identical.
Hi Ruth – I really fancy trying this foundation but really unsure which shade to buy. I’m medium shade ie not fair or dark but cool not warm. It’s so hard just looking at the swatches on the Amazon site. Any advice?
Argh, it is so hard, sorry! I will try to swatch more shades when I get a mo! x
Hi! If it helps I’m like you with a cool undertone, for some reason over the years my match always ends/starts with a 2……medium seems to always be good for warm tones even though I’m medium…..you could mix some light in, but that involves more money ☹️. X
Ruth, I really do like your aesthetic and point of view, not to mention your smart approach to beauty industry.
I watch you and I read you and I wish you all the best. Keep going!
Eleni – Athens , Greece
Hi Ruth, does the foundation contain oils? Or any pores clocking ingredients?
Hi. Could you possibly do a post on cruelty free foundations / makeup brands? I love your makeup style and your reviews and so would be interested to find out what products you would recommend. Thanks!
Great video Ruth! Does this foundation contain any alcohol at all? As I know that lancome foundations are generally loaded with it! I love the new idea of dedicated foundation reviews. A review of the PUR foundation would be great and also how about a breakdown of your favourite cruelty free makeup? I am sure that would be very helpful to many people. x
Yes, good idea Sarah, thanks. The UK version has alcohol listed as the very LAST ingredient, whereas the US has alcohol denat right at the top of the list. I need to find out some more info on this! x
I’ve been using this foundation all summer and I love how lightweight it is. Maybe it’s just my skin getting older, but I feel like nothing seems to want to blend into my skin anymore – very frustrating. I also found that Pro Glow didn’t make me overly oily when my skin decided to get oily again, which was an unexpected bonus!
My skin is combination oily, so I don´t think it will be for me, but it really looks lovely on you. The claims regarding coverage (full vs medium) can be a little strange sometimes, I have had medium coverage foundations that offered much more than the high coverage ones…
Anne|Linda, Libra, Loca
Will this sit ok on combination to oily skins?
It has been formulated for skin that’s more normal to dry, but it does set well so I can’t imagine it would slide or blotch. But I have normal-dry skin mostly so can’t say I know first-hand! x
It look really lovely I hope it will be available in Poland soon and in all the shades. We usually don’t get the lighter ones which doesn’t make much sense as many Polish women are very pale, me included.
Oh really? That’s so strange! x
Hi. I might have missed it but what eye-shadow, blush and lipstick are you wearing in the picture and the yt video? :)
Lipstick is Clinique Beige Pop, I *think* the rest is Pillow Talk range from Charlotte Tilbury! x
Thanks xx. Unfortunately it’s sold out everywhere! I was too slow!