Guerlain Parure De Lumiere Foundation.

Guerlain have outdone themselves with their Parure range. Everything just looks stunning. 

Seeing as I really have forbidden myself to get their £140 Orchidee Imperiale cream foundation (for that money I want foundation made of unicorn tears), I picked up the Parure de Lumiere Light Diffusing Foundation in 03 Beige Naturel. 

Let's talk about the packaging first, as from my dressing table, this shall be giving me unjustified levels of joy in the mornings. 

Everything is exquisite and luxurious, perfect for those of us with inner high-end-makeup snobbery. A tactile, weighty, glass jar with details in black and gold. Even the throwaway seal is gold and embossed. Underneath, a protective lid, again embossed with the Guerlain logo. And a spatula so getting at the cream is nice and hygienic. 

Swoon.

The foundation itself is a really soft, creamy, sumptuous formula. It really feels like a heavy moisturiser, and imparts that hydration and moisture into the skin for a plump, youthful look, perfect for the cold weather and central heating which dry my skin out this time of year. This isn't the most long lasting foundation as it doesn't truly set into the skin. My application (with fingers) stays perfect for around 3-4 hours without primer or powder. Because of this, I wouldn't advise it for oily skins, although anything from very dry to normal and it's great. (They do a fluid foundation version for oilier skins.)

'Luminescent Water', a marine water, absorbs deep into the skin for continuous hydration (if you buy this kind of stuff..) and Prisma Light 360 pigments create a dewy, fresh complexion. To be fair to you Guerlain, I do find it very hydrating and glow-y, although not oil slick, even without powder. And I wouldn't powder it unless you're exceedingly light handed. As the foundation doesn't properly set, you run the risk of looking cakey! It comes in a limited number of shades, although 03 is the perfect neutral/yellow undertone running around a Chanel B30/B40. 

I haven't smelt any Guerlain perfumes but this foundation is definitely.. perfumed. It's very pleasant but it's also very present, so if you have a problem with fragranced bases, you may want to steer clear. 

Ultimately? I love it. I don't think it's a foundation that will have universal appeal but should you want a) something beautiful, b) a hydrating barrier from the elements, c) a healthy, dewy finish then it's a winner. 

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