TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Beauty Board: Lacura cosmetic collection

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2009

If you're never quite sure whether the ads for popular beauty products can be believed, relax. Our 4you Beauty Board is made up of veteran testers ready to try the latest when it comes to all things beauty. We'll share what worked and what bombed with the hope of making life a little easier for you.

This week: the Lacura cosmetic collection from Aldi supermarkets. Do these budget-beauty products really perform?

Lacura's low-cost products cost $1.99 to $3.99 per item. Aldi says they're made with the same top-quality ingredients found in expensive labels, without the price tag. All of the items here are available at Aldi stores nationwide and at www.aldi.com.

Lacura foundation

$3.99 for 1.01 ounces

"Soft and pleasant texture ... leaves your skin silky smooth and shine-free while providing optimum coverage."

Rating: B+

Michelle says: I need to be the poster child for Aldi. In my continuing mantra about "pinch those pennies, don't bust your budget," it's a delight to find the company's private-label Lacura line. Developed by German skin-care specialists for Aldi stores, most everything with the Lacura label comes in under $4! You can't get out of Starbucks for that price. I loved the foundation, starting with the packaging, which fits conveniently in my makeup bag. Made with aloe vera and shea butter, it goes on smoothly and leaves my skin feeling baby soft. It comes in just four shades - translucent, beige, sun and bronze - so you may not find the perfect match for your skin tone. But dollop for dollop, this foundation passed my four-point test with flying colors: price, application, staying power and appearance.

Michelle Bearden, 54, is the religion writer for the Tribune and TBO.com.

Lacura nail polish in Salsa Red

$1.99

"Gives the nails a lasting sheen, and its exceptional color brilliance creates beautiful nails. The special formula provides hard yet flexible cover, is easy to apply and dries quickly."

Rating: A

Cloe says: For $1.99, I didn't expect much from this nail polish. Boy, was I wrong. This polish delivers bold, bright color in just a few strokes. I'm in love with the Salsa Red - a wild, flaming orange-red that several people complimented me on when I rocked it on my toes over the summer. Also, the chip factor is seriously low - even without a top coat it performed better than some brands I've tried at 10 times the cost. I got about five days' wear before a chip appeared (with a top coat). And it's easy to remove with a little acetone. But please, Lacura, give me more than five colors to work with.

Cloe Cabrera, 42, is the Tribune's fashion and beauty reporter.

Lacura Compact Powder

$3.99

"Gives your skin a natural, smooth appearance. The finely textured powder absorbs excess oils from the skin to prevent shine while at the same time concealing imperfections."

Rating: B+

Wendy says: I'm not much for face powder. I tend to think I look like my grandma when I wear it. But, as face powder goes, this is a good one. The pressed powder, which is fine and silky, helps cover imperfections and gave my face a more polished look. And it absorbed the oil from my combination skin. The shiny silver compact belies the economy pricing - and even has a mirror. It's available in three colors: translucent, beige and sun. My one suggestion is to expand the color options. I have medium skin that tans easily. At times when I was less tan, the beige seemed a little dark. I love a bargain, and I rarely say this about anything, especially cosmetics, but Aldi could double the price and I would still buy this product.

Wendy Whitt, 43, is the Tribune's Sunday planning editor.

Lacura duo eye shadow in Opal

$3.99

"Perfectly coordinated color combinations ... finely textured shadow ... easy to apply and long-lasting."

Rating: B-

Sara says: This duo eye shadow comes in a thin, sleek case, has a mirror and applicator inside, and fits perfectly in my clutch handbags. That's a win for me. I usually don't like to carry eye shadow around with me, but with this one, it's required because it fades fairly quickly. I often find this with shadows consisting of natural ingredients. This product's ingredient list includes candelilla and jojoba wax, avocado oil, seed oil, lecithin and vitamin E. I tried the color Opal, which includes shades of dark grey and off white. My skin is much too fair for any shade of white to look good; however, the dark grey color gave me a nice smoky-eye effect. It's inexpensive, all-natural and wears great for an evening out. It's worth toting.

Sara Minton, 32, coordinates the events listings for TBOEXTRA.com and Friday Extra.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT