Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.
Launched in 2009, the Parure Gold foundation has been a long-time best-selling luxury foundation on the Asian beauty market. For 2015,
Guerlain has decided to revamp the entire
Parure Gold Collection to make it better than ever. Formulated with dual-faceted "gold" pigments, collagen, and elastin boosters, the new Parure Gold line promises to banish imperfections and create a luminous glow. To read about the liquid foundation, the powder foundation, and the L'Or primer, click.......
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| Guerlain Parure Gold Collection |
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| L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-up Base |
L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-up Base ($81 CAD):
Not technically part of the Parure Gold Collection, L'Or Radiance is a lightweight makeup base filled with real gold leaves that's right on par with the luxury of the Parure Gold Collection. Housed in a gorgeous glass bottle with a pump dispenser, this primer is formulated with three types of polymers that form a protective and nourishing mesh on the surface of the skin.
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| L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Make-up Base |
The gel formulation of L'Or is so thin and lightweight that it almost feels like water. At first, I was a bit worried about the seemingly large flecks of gold dispersed within the primer. However, these gold leaves are actually so thin and fragile that upon application, they pretty much melt into the skin, transforming into barely noticeable particles of shine. Because of how thin and watery this primer feels, I'm not exactly certain how effective it is at prolonging the wear of the foundation. However, this product definitely hydrates and smooths the skin, which aids in a flawless application of whatever foundation you are using.
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| L'Or Radiance Concentrate with Pure Gold Makeup Base |
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| Parure Gold Radiance Foundation |
Parure Gold Radiance Foundation ($95 CAD):
Housed in a luxurious black lacquered bottle with a convenient pump, the Parure Gold Radiance foundation is "sprinkled with a thousand and one" gold pigments. This is definitely the most expensive foundation I've tried so I was certainly a bit skeptical at first. How good can a foundation be for it to be worth almost $100? Well, where do I even start?
The Parure Gold foundation has an incredibly silky and creamy texture. If I had my eyes closed, I would not be able to differentiate the foundation's cooling and soothing feel from that of an expensive face cream. With a light fragrance, this foundation has SPF 30 and it's formulated with elastin and collagen boosters, making it super smoothing. I have quite a few scars and enlarged pores from the years of severe acne so I love a foundation that smooths over any unevenness without feeling silicone-y.
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| Parure Gold Radiance Foundation |
This foundation provides a medium-high coverage, pretty much masking any blemishes or discoloration. I love how it feels really hydrating while not making my skin look or feel cakey and greasy. Also, I like how this wears, I don't think there was any noticeable oxidation and the foundation doesn't crease or accentuate pores or fine lines with extended wear.
Most of all, though, this foundation makes the skin look really good! It brightens the complexion, bringing about a very subtle yet noticeable glow (not shimmer or glitter). I've tested out more than a few dozens of foundations in the past and this one is definitely amongst the top.
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| Parure Gold Radiance Foundation in "02 Light Beige" |
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| Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation |
Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation ($97 CAD):
Described as "halfway between a foundation and a pressed powder", the Parure Gold Powder Foundation comes in an absolutely stunning (and may I add, high-tech) gold and black compact. When you flip open the lid, the powder insert automatically extends up and outward to reveal a cute little tray that holds the sponge applicator. I'm not a fan of applying powder foundation with a sponge but I can still appreciate the snazzy design.
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| Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation in "02 Light Beige" |
With a powder formulation that's indeed so smooth and silky that it feels almost like a cream, the Parure Gold powder provides a surprisingly nice coverage (and a SPF of 15). Also lightly fragranced, this is a great powder for those with dry or combination skin as it doesn't accentuate dry patches or make the skin look powdery. With that said, although this is a great powder foundation with a medium coverage, it didn't quite wow me as much as the liquid foundation did.
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| Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation in "02 Light Beige" |
Availability:
Guerlain is available at Sephora, Holt Renfrew, Nordstrom, and The Bay.
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