Because new year - new foundation!
Foreword
In today's post we are going to dive into a luxurious world of Guerlain, mainly focusing on its latest family member - L'Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation SPF 20. If you are curious to hear all about this opulent new launch, then please keep on scrolling!
About the Product
My Skin Type: dry, sensitive.
Overview: L'Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation SPF 20 (48.50 USD; 1.01 oz or 30 ml; Made in France) is formulated with 97% naturally derived ingredients and promises to give you a natural, glowing finish that should last up to 16 hours. Available in 30 shades (undertones are carefully split into neutral (N), cool (C) and warm (W) categories).
Formula: this product is free of nasties (sulfates, parabens etc.) and contains a mix of nourishing ingredients such as: tara, red algae (protection from pollution, hydration) and white cocoa bean extracts (supports skin's natural balance). Guerlain love creating skincare-friendly makeup products and this new formula is no exception; this foundation doesn't feel overly liquidy, it is that perfect in-between texture (neither too thick or runny). The only downside is that (being a high-end piece) this is a scented product; thankfully the fragrance is not that potent and disappears as soon as the product gets absorbed by the skin; if you tend to have a reaction to scents - make sure to test a sample first. Personally, I did not experience any irritation.
Packaging: when it comes to top-tier makeup brands, Guerlain offer the most exquisite designs and I am a big fan of this new packaging. L'Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation SPF 20 comes in a clear glass bottle with a pump; this slightly crooked design has a nice "high-end" weight to it as well, which might not be the best for traveling, but! It will undoubtedly grace any vanity table. I must say that it was hard to photograph this product, without it making my images look like they were shot at a weird angle; other than that - I am a happy camper.
Application: while I am a free spirit and often disregard manuals or (since we talk makeup) tools that are designed for specific formulas, I have to admit that L'Essentiel Retractable Foundation Brush (45 USD; Made in China) is absolutely adorable and would make a great "on-the-go" makeup friend. You can easily lock it, thanks to the retractable sleeve, and it has incredibly soft little synthetic bristles that just glide like silk on the skin. Having said all that, I simply can't justify the price tag here and luckily, my good old BeautyBlender did a great job at effortlessly distributing and blending my base. Alternatively, you can use any densely packed synthetic brush you already own and love.
From my experience, this foundation can be applied sheer (for that healthy, light coverage), but it can also be layered (if you choose to build it up). It sets relatively fast, but you do get enough time to play around with it. While it did not sink into pores on my nose, it did grab onto some flaky skin bits. Proper exfoliation is key here, especially if you have a drier skin type like moi. This formula played nicely with my new favourite BareMinerals BareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer and thankfully both liquid and powder makeup applied/blended easily on top of my base, without disrupting or lifting it. Not a necessity, but you can additionally use the brand's very own Abeille Royal Youth Watery Oil as a hydrating primer underneath the foundation. You can read about my other skincare favourites in a separate review here.
Wear: L'Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation SPF 20 turned out to be pretty long-lasting. It remains lightweight and sits nicely for 8+ hours, becoming more and more dewy as the day goes by (it did not separate or get blotchy). It did settle into my smallish smile line, so I would definitely say that it needs to be set. I find that Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is the best powder to use with this foundation; both products complement each other so well. Although I am dry, my nose and chin can get a bit shiny over time; thankfully any simple blotting paper does the trick. I do not think that those of you with oilier skin types would enjoy this formula that much; it is definitely geared towards people with normal, normal-dry and dry skin types. Two small pumps gave me a perfectly seamless light-medium coverage, where you could still see my skin peak through.
Shades: from what I have noticed, shades that go from 03 and beyond have a tendency to dry down a touch darker, so do keep that in mind if you have an eye on this product. I have found a perfect match for my light-neutral complexion and it is 02N (see my makeup look using the foundation above). Some of my other matches are: Tom Ford 1.5 Cream, Hourglass Shell, NARS Deauville, Dior 1.5N, Laura Mercier Cashew, Fenty Beauty 150, MAC NC20.
Verdict
L'Essentiel Natural Glow Foundation SPF 20 is a lovely new addition to Guerlain existing beauty line. This product certainly lives up to its claims, being a naturally glowy foundation that wears a good amount of time, without ever becoming heavy, patchy or greasy. You can still see your skin through it and this could be a great new discovery for someone, who is into that uber natural, radiant and healthy look. It is, however, best suited for people with normal or drier skin types. While I still prefer something like my Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra Longwear Foundation or Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation for special occasions (more coverage + satin finish), I wear L'Essentiel practically on a daily basis now (when I go to work or run errands). Oftentimes, I will blend a minimal amount of this foundation through the center of my face (in order to give me that "no makeup" look) and call it a day. I think this is a great new launch and give it A.
More: sephora.com
PR samples; full disclaimer here
