Product Review: L'Oreal Cream Shadow Paint

Its happening as we speak! Budget cosmetics companies are stepping up to the plate and claiming a piece of the pie in this ever changing makeup hungry era. Inspired by products of the high-end clique, companies like L'Oreal and NYX are showcasing their talents to compete with the big-timers.

With the high performing crease-free MAC Paints that apply as a cream and dry to a powdery finish, we are now ready to up the ante to compare it with L'Oreal's newly released HiP Cream Shadow Paints. With properties very close to that of the MAC Paint, the consumer finally has it's shot at a semi-cheaper buy while continuing to shop for other household items like that darn toilet paper that just doesn't seem to refill itself.

L'Oreal HIP Cream Shadow Paint $10-11
PRICE
I believe that one thing our supposed "budget cosmetic companies" are going to face if they want to play this game is the gawk and hesitation that will come from new makeup users as well as some of their loyal and beloved fans. On a personal note, I tend to associate cosmetic brands to be budget safe. In short, nothing in the double digits especially if they're sitting next to a Wet 'n Wild rack happily shoving $2-3 lipstick in your face.

But being a fan of L'Oreal mascaras, lipsticks, and hair color for a long time, I had a good taste of product quality already from this company. And it didn't surprise me one bit that they wanted to take on the challenge to compete in the high-end market. So my expectations for their expanding HiP Collection, which is tailored towards more modern and trendy looks, was that it should be a bit heavier in price. And if you think about it, it's actually a great deal considering you're getting more in the tube (0.25 oz. versus 0.23 oz. of MAC Paint) AND a short-handled dense application brush similar to MAC's 242!

My opinion though is that they need to strategically market their price by having their own storefront as opposed to sharing wall space with other labels whose tags are DOLLARS cheaper. It reminds me of when Hubbo and I did Real Estate a few years ago and you'd see this amazing house with all the bells and whistles stuck in between two houses that were in dire need of a face lift. Property values are determined by the comparables in the neighborhood, not by how much upgrading you do. So word to L'Oreal, "move your property to a better part of town, yo... PRONTO!!"

But good news is, unlike many high-end brands, L'Oreal is able to offer price breaks with their BOGO offers and periodical sale slashings.

PACKAGING
Starting with the outside plastic casing that everything is packaged in, I think overall it just makes the presentation look more professional. L'Oreal definitely brought their A-game in this one. Plus, if you've own a MAC Paint like Bare Canvas, you'll know how happy we all get when we open the tube and the contents scatter out like it's elementary school recess. Speaking of which, the Crease Shadow Paint is not any different. You close, you open, it oozes. Deal with it.

I was even more impressed that they took the extra step to provide a completely sealed off opening, similar to the tubes that contain the color in hair dye, which needs to be pierced prior to the first use.

In the plastic casing that the Cream Shadow Paint comes in, there's a small well at the bottom which offers you a convenient place to put your product while you use it. The actual paint that is, not the tube. Personally, I don't care much for this feature as I'd rather just put the paint on the back of my hand, but if this knocks your socks off, then more power to you. ROCK ON!

And last but not least, the enclosed application brush. I don't own any of the HiP Pigments, but from the pictures it does look like the pigments are paired with a blending brush as opposed to a firm bristle brush like what's included here. And for comparison purposes, I placed it next to the MAC 242 to show you just how very similar they are. To me, the only difference is bristle quality and the handle length. The bristles of the HiP brush are more synthetic in feeling whereas the bristles of the MAC 242 seem to be slightly thicker in girth. But the HiP brush is nearly just as firm as the MAC 242.

CONSISTENCY & TEXTURE
L'Oreal's Cream Shadow Paint is definitely more creamier than a tube of MAC Paint. The Cream Shadow Paint also seems to be much softer, almost airy, because it is creamier. But when applied and allowed to dry, the final finishes are the same, powdery.

I chose the lightest Cream Shadow Paint in Secretive (807) but as you can see from the swatch, and in real life, it is nowhere near as light as Bare Canvas. It actually reminds me of MAC's Soft Ochre Paint Pot except in the consistency and texture of a creamier paint. And when I catch it at the right angle, I note a very VERY subtle hint of shimmer but not enough to even bat a lash about.

WHAT I LIKE
I really like the fact that L'Oreal even came out with this product! That means I can wander into the cosmetics selection of my local Wal-Mart with Hubbo and he'll think I'm just hoarding cheap makeup, lol.

Ok, but on the real note, I like that you get more for less money. A bigger tube of product AND a brush for nearly $6-7 cheaper! I also dig that the tube is completely sealed off giving me peace of mind in knowing the product hasn't been tampered with. And with the consistency being a bit creamier, it doesn't completely dehydrate my oil well of an eyelid.

WHAT I DISLIKE
I probably will not ever use the brush it came with. The handle is short and I just feel more at ease using my MAC 242. I also wish they had more colors to choose from since the only selections available are neutral-based. But I guess it's good from a company standpoint to test the waters first with neutrals then expand from there.

And although I am getting more product with a stretched dollar and I'm very impressed with the quality of most (if not all) their products, I'm paralyzed by the mere conscious fact that the display sits right next to other mediocre brands with "you get what you pay for" prices. If you were to house it in it's own setting where it's nowhere near other retailing budget cosmetics, then paying $10-11 for the Cream Shadow Paint wouldn't even make me think twice. L'Oreal seriously needs to fix the illusion because I believe most folks will see the same thing and will only be swayed to purchase because they've had a good experience in the quality. But as for impulse buying, the price is a no-no. We're a visual world that doesn't like to think about the justifications behind a company's actions.

OVERALL
But no matter how much gripe I got on the price, again L'Oreal has redeemed itself with another reputable creation. They are really setting the bar high with the HiP line. I just hope it continues.

YOU'LL PROBABLY LIKE THIS IF...
- you are digging the quality L'Oreal is tossing out these days.
- you are seeking a more affordable alternative to MAC Paints.
- you want to keep something in your travel kit.
- you're trying to conceal your makeup obsession in the price tag.

YOU'LL PROBABLY DISLIKE THIS IF...
- you already sold your soul to a specific cosmetics line and are not interested in venturing out.
- you're not interested in drugstore brands.
- you don't dig the ooze byfactor.
- you think of the price before the quality.

Can you see yourself getting HiP?

Aloha,
Mrs. Lynne

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