Our Thoughts on the Guerlain’s Updated Parure Gold Fluid Foundation
BY GEORGIA ROSE
Guerlain reigns supreme when it comes to all things luxury - and your face deserves the best.
4 MAY - 2021
Just because something is more expensive, doesn't mean it will perform better.
As much as I love a good foundation, spending wise, I have my limits. So when I come across a foundation in excess of $100, I am quite hesitant.
However, if you’re going to invest in luxury, let it be Guerlain. Starting its life as a French perfumer, the brand created fragrances for the rich and famous - Napoléon III and Queen Victoria to name a few. So Guerlain is all about perfumes? Au contraire! Founder Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain created all sorts of lotions and potions, some that are still available today. The brand really has a five star feel to it - think sleek, weighty designs and lots of gold.
The first iteration of Parure Gold was released in 2009, so it was time for Guerlain to reimagine the foundation.
What Guerlain promises: A full-coverage formulation, delivering a flawless, even and radiant complexion. Formulated with an ingredient that targets collagen, Parure Gold sublimates the skin’s appearance and continues to improve the skin with each application. The foundation features a sweatproof and heat resistant formula that adapts to every season, and offers 24-Hours of wear. In addition, Parure Gold contains dual-faceted golden pigments, mother-of-pearl and a hint of 24-karat gold that contribute to an intensely radiant complexion.
Guerlain Parure Gold Fluid Foundation, $154
Guerlain Parure Gold Fluid Foundation Swatches
The Application
I am more partial to a lightweight foundation rather than a heavier formula, so generally I steer clear of any foundation that promises full-coverage.
The difference with the Guerlain Parure is that you can still build it up by applying thinner layers until you are happy with the result. Starting with a silicone based primer to blur out my pores, a flat foundation brush and a beauty blender, I was able to control the amount of coverage I wanted. Start small - a little goes a long way.
The first pump feels quite thick at first but don't be alarmed. The formula spreads smoothly and is easy to buff out with the beauty blender.
Wearability
It was no surprise that this foundation lasted the distance. With only minimal setting powder, I was able to get a full day’s work out of Parure Gold. The name “gold” comes from the youthful glow it claims to give. The foundation is not matte, nor is it glowy, but more of a natural skin finish. Even before adding highlighter, blush or contour, the foundation doesn’t look flat because Guerlain is a light master.
With Guerlain claiming the foundation was heat proof, the best way to test this was over dinner time. Not even a burst of hot oven air could crack Guerlain, so if you happen to be heading to Palm Springs in the middle of July (trust me - I’ve made that mistake) be sure to pack this bad boy.
One thing to note is that it has the traditional perfume scent that most of the Guerlain skincare and face products contain. This may be something to consider if you are more sensitive to perfumes or your skin can’t tolerate scented products.
"Not even a burst of hot oven air could crack Guerlain, so if you happen to be heading to Palm Springs in the middle of July (trust me - I’ve made that mistake) be sure to pack this bad boy."
The Final Verdict
If you’re looking to splurge, you can’t go wrong with Guerlain, especially when the price is hiked by the skincare properties included in the formulation. Giving amazing coverage, it feels lightweight and looks even better on the skin.
If I was one to sleep in makeup (never going to happen) I feel like I would have woken up fresh faced and ready to go for the morning. Even though I bleat on about not wearing a full face often, wearability is still key regardless of how long the foundation is on your face, and Parure Gold passed the test.
As someone who usually wouldn’t splash out on a foundation, the price is the only drawback, especially one with full-coverage formula. But with that being said, it has made its way to be one of the few luxury foundations I would recommend.
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