L'Oréal Paris

The story begins in 1909 in Paris, when chemist Eugène Schueller patented an especially safe hair dye formula and used it to found the 'Société Française de Teintures Inoffensives pour Cheveux'. The first dye was called 'L'Auréale', inspired by a fashionable hairstyle of the time, which later became the brand name L'Oréal. Over the decades, the company grew from a pure hair color business into one of the largest beauty groups in the world, also known for its famous slogan 'Because I'm worth it'. This combination of scientific research and beauty remains the brand's promise to this day.

Happy to break it down: Volume Million Lashes uses a dense brush for maximum volume, Telescopic Lift lengthens and lifts lashes with especially visible results, Lash Paradise combines volume with a nourishing, softer formula, and False Lash Mascara mimics the effect of false lashes for an especially dramatic look. If you're unsure, Lash Paradise is the best place to start as a versatile everyday all-rounder.

We want to be honest here: L'Oréal is not generally certified cruelty-free, since the group also sells in countries where animal testing can be legally required for imported cosmetics. Individual products carry a vegan label and then contain no animal-derived ingredients, but that doesn't automatically apply to the entire range. If you're looking for cosmetics that are consistently certified cruelty-free, our range also includes Uoga Uoga or Puremetics.

Infaillible is designed for especially long wear and high coverage, ideal for a matte, flawless complexion over many hours. Accord Parfait additionally uses hyaluronic acid and offers a more natural, skin-like finish with a caring effect. When choosing a shade, focus on your undertone first rather than just how deep your skin tone is, since cooler and warmer undertones need different shades even at the same lightness. For a direct comparison, it's worth checking our Complexion category.

The Revitalift Clinical Vitamin C Serum is particularly suited for a radiant complexion and as protection against environmental stress, ideal for your morning routine. The Bright Reveal Serum with niacinamide is aimed more at blemish-prone or uneven skin and helps even out the complexion. Both actives can generally be combined, ideally vitamin C in the morning and niacinamide in the evening, to avoid interactions. You'll find more active-ingredient serums in our Serums & Intensive Care category.

In principle yes, but if you know you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, we recommend applying new products carefully at first and watching for redness or itching. Waterproof formulas such as the Matte Signature Eyeliner usually need an oil-based eye make-up remover to take off, rather than plain water. If discomfort persists, stop using the product.

Matte formulas tend to dry out lips more than glossy ones, since they work with a drier pigment layer. That's why we recommend caring for your lips well before applying and following up with a nourishing lip balm afterward. That way, the matte effect lasts without your lips feeling rough. You'll find suitable care in our Lips category.

L'Oréal Paris wins us over with a very broad range covering both make-up and active-ingredient skincare in a single lineup. Sister brand Maybelline New York also belongs to the L'Oréal Group but focuses more on trendy, younger-skewing eye make-up. For medically tested skincare for problem skin, we also recommend La Roche-Posay. For us, L'Oréal Paris remains the right choice if you want make-up and active-rich care from a single brand.