Thursday, July 7, 2011

Review of Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation in Beige Clair-Have I Lost My Mind!?

I would like to share with you all my latest cosmetic indulgence: Guerlain's Parure Gold Foundation in Beige Clair ($78.00 USD). I have either lost my mind or I have made a sound investment for my skin. I am not sure which!

Let me tell you, I have never in my life spent this much for a beauty product! The most I have spent is around $45.00. Normally, I will buy MAC Prolongwear Foundation for $29.50 USD (before my 30% MAC Pro discount).

When I read the review for Guerlain's Parure Gold on www.temptalia.com late last year, I felt compelled to try it but the steep pricetag was holding me back. However, having recently found myself disappointed with my current foundation, I decided to cave and go for the "Gold."

So, what in 'Sam Hill' makes a $78.00 foundation worthy of its lofty cost? Well, according to the information detailed on Neiman Marcus' website, Guerlain Parure Gold is described as follows:


"A Rejuvenating Golden Light Foundation contains an exclusive double-sided Gold Radiance Pigment: the opaque side targets imperfections and dull zones, while the golden side reflects light.

Combined with the regenerating properties of Myrrh Oil and the lifting and smoothing properties of Peptides, long-term results include the diminishment of fine lines and smoother, softer skin.

The luxurious golden flecks leave the complexion with an aura of vitality and beauty. Dull skin zones are illuminated, while wrinkles and under-eye circles are subdued.

Its shine and color combats sallow tones and lifts lackluster complexions with a healthy golden glow.

The light formula glides onto the skin without thickening and envelopes the face with a lightness that does not accentuate lines.

Subtly concealing spots, irregularities, and dilated pores.
"


We all know that companies and stores can proclaim their products to be miracle-making elixirs but at the end of the day, it's about real results. Now, Guerlain may never be the 'make-all-my-skin woes-fade away' magic potion but it certainly does something for my skin!

Before I begin with my review, let's start with the glamorous packaging:
The bottle is a heavy, solid black glass container adorned with gold writing. The top of the bottle cap boasts the traditional Guerlain logo. The bottle just looks luxurious on my vanity! I feel like a vintage movie star every time I see it!

In addition, the pump bottle has a 'see through' window on the side so you can see how much product is actually inside:
The Parure Gold comes in six shades, the lightest being the one I bought, Beige Clair 02. I heard there was a lighter shade, 01, but I read somewhere that it is not available in the United States.

In regards to shade reference (for those of you familiar with MAC), I am a NW15. I have very sensitive, very pale skin (and very oily) with a pink undertone but I also have a touch of yellow in my complexion.

When I received my package from Neiman last Friday afternoon, I excitedly opened the box and pulled out my brand-new, posh foundation. I immediately pumped a small dot of liquid on the back of my hand and to my surprise and almost-letdown, the foundation looked too gold/yellow:
At first glance, I thought I needed to put the foundation bottle back in its box and ship it back. But something told me to try it on my face. I felt like I had to give it a proper chance to make it work since I spent so much on it!!

I went into my bathroom, and removed the foundation I was wearing (MAC Prolongwear) on the right side of my face. I again pumped out a tiny amount of foundation and applied it. I stood back from the mirror and thought, "It *looks* okay but I can see a difference in tone." Instead of 'throwing in the towel,' I decided to wait until the next day so I could apply the foundation to my entire face.


The next morning, I washed my face, put on my skincare, brushed my teeth, and put on my usual makeup along with the new foundation. I used one pump for my entire face using a sponge. I set my face with Coty Airspun Loose Powder in Translucent. I looked in the mirror and Holy Toledo, my skin actually looked good! There was a slight glow to my face and my light rosacea, acne scars, along with a few breakouts and some enlarged pores, appeared to be diminished.

Here is how I look overall wearing Guerlain Parure Gold (Still in my nightgown no less!):
I am impressed that a foundation that looked brassy on my hand seems to have transformed into a perfect shade for my skin. I suspect that the gold effects blend onto facial skin better than it does on the body. I wish my camera could capture the soft, ever-so-slight pearl effect. Unlike like some highlight powders that can make skin look oily or like a disco ball, the gold pearl in the Parure Gold formula is very subtle. Moreover, the foundation is a medium coverage that does not feel heavy on my skin. It actually feels light, like my skin can breathe.

I have been wearing the foundation every day since last Saturday. So far, I have not experienced any irritation and/or breakouts. The foundation does not cake, slide off, turn color, or look heavy/unnatural. Since I only need one pump to cover my face, I can see this product lasting me a long time.

Overall, I think this foundation is worth the investment because it makes my skin look amazing.

So, what do you think? What is the most you have spent on cosmetic/beauty items?

10 comments:

  1. Wow, I'm really impressed. Do update us in a few weeks to tell us if you still have the same impression! My skin is so picky and I have never been fully satisfied with any foundation so far (though I'm fairly pleased with my newest purchase, BeneFit's Hello Flawless powder foundation, though it does nothing for color correcting red spots). Most foundations either dries out my chin too much and looks awful and flaky or leave my nose like an oil slick in less than an hour, or settle into fine lines and hairs and make them look way worse. Argh!

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  2. Great review but sadly far too expensive for my current financial situation. However if things improve I would give it a go! I am very lucky though I have 'normal' skin, no problems really, just a little dryer as I get older but no breakouts, no redness etc etc so I'm lucky I can go cheap!

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  3. Your skin look lovely! I think I've only spent maybe 30 bucks on facial product..but I'd spend more if I had it!

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  4. wow that is expensive but I guess if it's a great product it's always worth the money.It looks really soft.Wish I could afford it.I use loreal foundation.

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  5. Thanks, gals, for all your comments! So far, I am still in love with this foundation! If anything changes over the next few weeks, I will let you all know.

    Tasha: I can relate! My skin is picky too! If primers or foundation have too much silicones or are not oil-free, I will break out. BIG TIME! Also, my skin tone is very picky! Many foundations are either too pink or too yellow. MAC and this foundation match me pretty well. Chanel and Bobbi Brown, however, are both way too yellow-based.

    Fiona: I am still a bit gobsmacked that I spent this much money for makeup. If my mum knew, she would go spare! lol! I usually keep my budget in mind when I buy cosmetics but I just had to get this foundation! It is great for correcting red tones and concealing dark circles under my eyes. As for less expensive brands, MAC is great and so is L'oreal (TruBlend).

    Retro Natural: Thanks! I usually stick to MAC for my 'higher-end' foundation. I once bought Chanel Vitalumierer (sp?) and it cost $60.00. It was way too yellow for me and I returned it. I went back to my MAC Studio Fix (cost me under $19 bucks after my MAC Pro discount). If a product is worth it, I will spend the money. Now, even if a foundation is out-of-this-world amazing like Cle du Peau ($120.00), I will not buy it. I have my limits! I mean, are they serious?!

    Vintage_kitten: It is a softer, lighter formula indeed. I am usually very level-headed when it comes to my makeup spending but this foundation put me in a trance! If there was one cosmetic item I would go high-end, it would be foundation. Everything else, e.g. eyeshadow, lipstick, setting powder, pressed powder, or mascara, can be lower-end. For example, Cover Girl's classic pressed powder compact is great. It blots oil well and sets makeup nicely.

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  6. Great review amor!
    I need me a good foundation havent worn foundation it in decades. someone is too caro pero probably worth it.I need a good concealer I am so ojeruda.

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  7. I just wanted to say, you look SO beautiful in the photo of you in this post. :)

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  8. Dear Tara,

    Thanks a lot for the great review!

    I got curious after reading Christine's review on Temptalia, but hesitate about the shades. Now seeing you also rave about it... I really want to get a bottle XD

    I am NC20, while Christine's NC25/30 using Beige Natural #03. I guess I will get a better match mixing #02 and #03 together, but this foundation is too expensive for me to buy 2 bottles for mixing...

    Do you think I can pull it off with #02? Please advise.

    Thanks a lot!

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  9. I got a tester on this one from my local drugstore recently, and will be my next buy! The texture and coverage was great. In Norway it costs nearly 150 dollars, so extremely expensive. But I hope it's worth it! How long did you have yours?

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