Sunday, May 26, 2013

Frosty Caramel

When the L'Oréal Miss Candy Collection launched last year with several new Infallible eyeshadow shades, it was evident the only one I'd feasibly purchase was Tender Caramel (033). Although it was neutral and limited edition (under normal circumstances an irresistible combination), I was concerned it was too similar to Bronzed Taupe (890). Each time I swatched it at Priceline, I also wasn't too thrilled with the excess of silver/white shimmer in it. With those two factors in mind, I decided to give it a miss. I had largely forgotten about it for a few months, until I spotted Tender Caramel on sale at Target the other day. The price wasn't hugely reduced, but it was just under $10, which was impetus enough for me to whip out my wallet.




Tender Caramel is a light-to-medium cool frosty brown with a hint of mauve and loads of white shimmer. I find that when swatched, it takes on a more neutral appearance, and in some light, seems almost like a slightly toasty, shimmering beige. On the lids however, it's distinctly cooler, almost a pewter-leaning metallic taupe. To counteract a bit of the coolness, I like applying it with a flat, fluffy brush over a warm, coppery, cream base (like Essence Pas Des Copper or MAC Rubenesque) for a soft, smoky look.




Comparing Tender Caramel to similar shades I have, there are no perfect dupes, but some of them are fairly indistinguishable when applied. Maybelline EyeStudio Mono in Iced Fudged (720) is clearly the warmest of the bunch. It was comforting to see that L'Oréal Infallible eyeshadow in Bronzed Taupe is sufficiently different to Tender Caramel — darker, less frosty, slightly cooler and more brown. Max Factor Earth Spirits in Burnt Bark is more purplish-grey. NYX Iced Mocha is darker, browner, much less shimmery. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze is a little warmer, more coppery/gold in comparison but still frosty.

l-r: NYX Iced Mocha, Max Factor Burnt Bark, L'Oreal Tender Caramel, L'Oreal Bronzed Taupe, Maybelline Iced Fudged, Maybelline Bad to the Bronze

l-r: NYX Iced MochaMax Factor Burnt BarkL'Oreal Tender CaramelL'Oreal Bronzed TaupeMaybelline Iced FudgedMaybelline Bad to the Bronze

A defining feature of the L'Oréal Infallible eyeshadows is the unbelievable pigmentation. They have a smooth, creamy, slightly spongy texture and can be sheered out or packed on for concentrated colour. They can be applied with the fingers like a cream eyeshadow, though I normally use a brush. You really only need a very small amount for incredible colour payoff. The metallic intensity can be a little bit too much for daytime wear, but used sparingly with the right brush to apply a light wash, it works. Personally, I find Tender Caramel a little bit too cool for my skin tone and overly shimmery, even above the norm for the Infallible range. Warmer, bronzier eyeshadows tend to fare better on me. Though I'd love to be able to pull off more complex, cooler taupes and browns, they often just end up looking murky and dull.

37 comments:

  1. Oh I like such nude/brownish shades too!:)

    Bye,
    NIKA

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  2. Gosh, why do I go absolutely gaga over neutrals???? I think we have a sick addiction... albeit a wonderful one. This looks and sounds lovely and congrats for getting it on sale; every penny counts!! :)

    Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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  3. We don't have the shade Tender Caramel in the US, but it looks very similar to another shade in the range. AND omg I need Maybelline Iced Fudge in my life.

    $10 on sale? :| *gives you a hug*

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  4. This looks so beautiful :) xx
    http://xtouchofbeautyx.blogspot.co.uk/

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  5. You have some gorgeous colours here I must say. I've never tried any of the L'Oreal Infalliable Eyeshadows, they do look rather nice though. I must say I rather like the look of the Maxfactor 'burnt bark' shade here.
    Amy xx
    A Little Boat Sailing

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  6. I love this post and it's tempting me to finally cave and purchase a few of these cult L'oreal pressed shadows! So pretty!

    http://jemaroons.blogspot.com

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  7. Loreal Infallible eyeshadows are so good, I have only one but I want to buy more :)

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  8. Oh wow what a gorgeous shade!!! I am so jealous, I would love this in my collection xx

    Gemma | ♥ MissMakeupMagpie.co.uk

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  9. Post like these make me think I should re-think the infallible eyeshadows as I just didn't get on with them!
    I know NEED that Max Factor one!!!

    xoxo

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  10. why oh why this shade was never available here in Germany :/ I really like the formula of L'Oreal infallible eye shadows and this color is really my shade T.T
    we have really limited range of shade for the infallible eye shadows here. We have more color options for Maybelline color tattoos T.T

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  11. The Miss Candy collection just came out here in the States and its a bunch of punchy, cotton candy colors that I just adore. But if this were in that collection, I would have totally bought it. That's so beautiful. I wish we had some of the shades here that ya'll get down there. Even the UK has different stuff than us! Good choice on picking it up.

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  12. So gorgeous! I love gold and bronze eyeshadows!

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  13. You can never have too many bronze shades! :D

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  14. I bought the exact same eyeshadow from Target for just under $10 too! How funny! I love Tender Caramel and really want to try the Bronzed Taupe colour! :D

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  15. I've only ever used it on the lower lash line with the mini shader brush from the Ecotools eye set and I really like it for that! I've started using Burnt Bark for the same purpose- similar to how some people use MAC Satin Taupe I suppose. The difference between Bronzed Taupe and Tender Caramel are stark- I always thought them to be quite similar but it's fortunate for you that they're different!

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  16. beautiful collection am loving the Maybelline Iced Fudged ..love the way you always compare your similar shades ..

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  17. Love how shimmery it is! A nice neutral shade too :)
    I've always been tempted by the L'oreal infallible shadows.

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  18. It looks so pretty but veryy shimmery indeed, and if it wasn't too cool toned it would be perfect for you! It would look nice dabbed in the center of the eye for a hint of dimension, maybe in a smoky eye. xx

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  19. Warm eyeshadows also look better on me than those with cool undertones, so my favourite is Maybelline Iced Fudged! What a nice collection you have! :)

    MyMakeUpCompulsion

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  20. this post is making me miss my infallible shadows!! i need to get them out of my storage box LOL

    à la foliee

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  21. i think the cool tone of these colors is pretty unique looking instead of the usual warm. neat~ :)

    Joyce @carouselstreet.com

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  22. I haven't tried those L'Oreal shadows, I may have to now though! Great post :) ♥

    http://abeautyromancee.blogspot.co.uk/
    http://abeautyromancee.blogspot.co.uk/

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  23. This is a great helpful review!

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  24. of all those shadows I think I need to finally bite the bullet and get bad to the bronze. It is such a pretty colour!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, absolutely! Can't recommend it enough especially when you find the right brush to apply it :)

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  25. Oh sweetie really beautiful and shimmering metallic colors!
    Sweetie I want invite you to my first giveaway!

    Win a Pair of CircleLens in Sakuranko "Giveaway"

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  26. Very pretty I love shimmer shades as they really make your eyes pop :) x

    www.krystelcouture.com | Shamballa Bracelet Giveaway ♥

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  27. What an absolutely gorgeous and pigmented caramel shade! I'm not sure why, but I've never really gravitated towards L'Oreal products- not because they are bad or anything- but probably because I associate it with more mature age group. I also find that cool toned eye shadows do clash with yellow toned asian skin, but sometimes I can manage to make it work! This looks like a dream to apply though, and I'm definitely swatching it the next time I'm in Priceline :)

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  28. Maybe this eyeshadow would be less shimmery if you applied it over a matte base. I for one, use the Maybelline CT in Tough as Taupe as a base for everyday wear and it does tone down the "gliterness" of several of my most shimmery eye thingies. If you have a base that is less grey than that CT even better. If you try this trick let me know if it worked for you Lena ^^

    PS Do you group your eyeshadows by similarity, by brand, by finish or there's no particular order? I'd love to see a post about your makeup collection/storage system... I'm such a nosey-parker haha xx

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    Replies
    1. I might try that, thanks for the tip! Though probably won't go for Tough as Taupe as I find it a tad too dark for the daytime. I don't have many matte cream bases ... maybe some in my Revlon cream shadow palettes. Will need to go experimenting!

      There's no particular way I group my eyeshadows, except that the most commonly used ones have to be at the front/top of my pile. I did a previous makeup storage post a while ago and it hasn't changed much, except I bought another one that I place next to the first one. Bottom drawer of my second one is full of nail polish, top two are most lip and third is cheek.

      http://sleepandwater.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/all-in-one-place.html

      I would love to get the Muji drawers because I am a sheep, but they're not available here :p

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  29. Your collection is gorgeous, I love these gold, caramel and bronze shades so much! x

    Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves

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  30. I think Frosted Caramel is my favorite of all your swatches! It's absolutely beautiful & would pair perfectly on top of Maybelline's Bad to the Bronze(: xoxo

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  31. I also have similar issues with these shades that run too warm or too cool. Lately I've become lazy/impatient and don't want to hunt around for THE ONE like I used to.

    I do love the Infallibles in general though and it's tempting to collect them all, regardless of whether I like the shades or not, LOL.

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    Replies
    1. I've been thinking about the whole "the one" idea and whether it's really more about the tools/application rather than the product. Like, I have 1098472 eyeshadows, surely ONE of them in there is the closest to perfect I'll get? How many subtle gradations of grey/taupe/brown/beige/bronze/pewter/copper could I possibly get? :S

      Ditto with the Infallibles. I have no idea why I continue to purchase when I'm not enamoured with any of them :p

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  32. Okay so I need to get Maybelline Iced Fudge asap... I've never tried their normal eyeshadows so I think this will be my starting point! Great review :)

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  33. I love the Infallible eye shadows. I was going to suggest a matte base as well, just as another comment said! Such a gorgeous color, I do prefer cooler tones, as warm ones look a bit muddy on my skin.

    <3 Carolyn

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