L'Oreal Infallible 2-Step Nail Color: Review and Swatches

Disclaimer: Product featured was provided for review.

For 2014, we saw a big trend with lamp-less two-step nail colors with a gel polish shine. For 2015, it seems the trend goes on with L'Oreal's new Infallible 2 Step Nail Color ($10.99). These duo-ended color plus top coat polishes feature a silicon and flex-resin formulation that promises long wear (up to 12 days) and a gel shine. I had a chance to try them out, read on to see what I thought.......

The new Infallible 2-Step range features 12 different shades. Each duo-ended polish comes with a base color and a tinted top coat in a coordinating color. The base and top are designed to work together so if they are paired with other polishes the longevity may be compromised. However, the tinted top coat can be mixed and matched with other Infallible 2-Step base colors but because they are mostly translucent the difference is not very obvious.

In terms of packaging, although I love the convenience of the duo-ended design, I find that these type of bottles tend to lead the polish to dry out more quickly because often times, they are too tall to be stored upright. So when stored on their sides, the polish evaporates more quickly. Also, the caps of these are tricky to open, they are super smooth and round with no ridges so there is no grip.

In terms of application, I found two out of the three shades to be quite sheer. The deep red (Always A Lady) was surprisingly streaky and required three coats to smooth out patches. The previous layers always drag and shift as soon as I apply a new layer, no matter how long I wait between applications.
The one I am wearing here (Fuschia For Life) is a rather nice and jelly-like bright coral pink.
The drying time for these were quite long, which is what I am most disappointed with. After a bit less than an hour I was still able to dent and shift the polish on my nails.
In terms of longevity, these are noticeably better than ordinary polishes. I can't vouch for the 12-day claim because I never really wear anything over five days. However, I noticed that these were chip free (aside from minor tip wear) and the nice gel-like shine stayed around for quite a few days.

Overall:

I am not in love with these polishes given the packaging and the long drying time. However, if you are a fan of gel polishes but don't always have the time and money to go to the salon, these are a great alternative!

Availability:

The Infallible 2-Step Nail Color range are available as of December 2014.