Beauty L'Oreal Infallible vs Voluminous Smoldering: Best Pick Now
Infallible Pro-Last and Voluminous Smoldering are two popular L'Oreal liners. Infallible focuses on waterproof long wear. Voluminous Smoldering delivers creamy kohl pigment for smoky eyes. Here is the breakdown.
| Factor | L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Pencil | L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Pencil |
|---|---|---|
| Main strength | 24-hour waterproof wear | Intense kohl pigment |
| Blendability | Sets fast, less blendable | Very blendable, smoky |
| Waterline use | Excellent, stays put | Good, softer result |
| Smoky eyes | Harder to smudge | Made for smoking out |
| Removal | Needs oil-based remover | Removes easily |
| Price | Around 8 to 11 dollars | Around 7 to 10 dollars |
| Best for | Long days, humid weather | Smoky looks, soft definition |
Our Verdict
Choose Infallible Pro-Last if you need liner that survives everything. Its waterproof wear is unmatched for long days. Choose Voluminous Smoldering if you love smoky, blendable kohl looks. Its creamy pigment makes smoky eyes effortless.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Winged-liner lovers who need precision.
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Super Slim Liner, Black
- Ultra-fine 0.4mm felt tip
- Liquid precision lines
- Smudge-proof and skip-proof
- Up to 12-hour wear
Pros
- Razor-sharp winged lines
- Easy control
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Tip can dry out
- Not for smoky looks
Best for: Smoky-eye fans who hate sharpening.
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Eyeliner, Black
- Mechanical no-sharpen pencil
- Built-in smudger and sharpener
- Up to 16-hour wear
- Rich creamy formula
Pros
- No sharpener needed
- Built-in smudger for smoky eyes
- Creamy and pigmented
Cons
- Tip can break if extended
- Smudger is small
Best for: Cat-eye beginners using the wing stencil.
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Liner, Black
- Brush-tip liquid liner
- Waterproof quick-dry formula
- Stencil for perfect wings
- Intense black pigment
Pros
- Stencil helps perfect wings
- Waterproof wear
- Bold black payoff
Cons
- Stencil takes practice
- Brush tip needs steady hand
Wing Angles for Your Actual Eye Shape
Every wing tutorial draws the same flick, but the right angle depends on your eye placement. For downturned eyes, angle the wing upward more steeply to lift the outer corner. For upturned eyes, keep the wing flatter and shorter to avoid exaggerating the lift. Hooded eyes need the wing drawn with the eye open, placed higher than feels natural, so the flick stays visible when the lid folds over it.
The L'Oreal Flash Cat Eye liner with its wing stencil helps beginners get a consistent angle, but treat the stencil as training wheels. Once you know your angle, the Infallible Super Slim liner draws it freehand with more control. Deep-set eyes should keep wings short and close to the lash line, while prominent eyes suit a slightly elongated flick that balances the eye. Practice the wing on the back of your hand first to learn the pressure. Our Charlotte Tilbury Feline Flick guide is the dedicated wing-technique anchor worth reading next.
Tightlining Step by Step for Beginners
Tightlining means filling the skin between your upper lashes, not the waterline. The distinction matters because tightlining adds definition without visible liner, while waterline liner shows as a line. Look down into a mirror, gently lift the upper lid, and dot the Infallible mechanical eyeliner into the gaps between lash roots. Use tiny pressing motions rather than dragging strokes.
Choose the right tool for the job. A slim mechanical pencil like the Infallible Never Fail reaches between lashes safely, while a thick kohl deposits too much product and migrates. Work in sections: inner corner, middle, outer corner. Blink gently afterward to settle the pigment. Common beginner mistakes include pressing so hard the eye waters, which ruins the line, and tightlining the lower waterline, which shrinks the eye. If your eyes are sensitive or you wear contacts, our kajal for sensitive eyes guide covers the gentlest tightlining formulas.
Lining Mature, Crepey Lids Without Skipping
Loose eyelid skin skips under pencil tips because the surface folds as you draw. The fix is stretching the lid gently taut with a fingertip and using short stamping motions instead of long strokes. The Infallible gel formulas grip textured lids better than dry pencils since they glide over fine lines rather than catching on them.
Place the line as close to the lash roots as possible so it remains visible when the lid folds. A slightly thicker line at the outer corner counteracts the hooding effect that hides liner on mature eyes. The Chocolat shade flatters mature eyes more than harsh black because it defines without emphasizing texture. Set the line with a matching powder shadow to prevent transfer onto the lid crease. For liquid precision on mature lids, our Clinique Pretty Easy liquid liner guide covers a beginner-friendly pen format.
One more beginner tip: rest your elbow on a table and your pinky against your cheek while drawing. This two-point stabilization steadies the hand dramatically, and it matters more than which pencil you buy. Even the best gel formula cannot compensate for a floating hand.
The Flash Cat Eye stencil works best when you hold it firmly against the outer corner and draw in short strokes. Rushing the stencil in one sweep floods product under the edge and blurs the wing.
Practice wings without product first: trace the motion with a clean brush handle along your lash line until the angle feels natural, then add the Infallible liner once muscle memory takes over.