MAKEUP | Guerlain Parure Gold Powder Foundation Rejuvenating Effect SPF 15 PA++ Review

Although I haven't really discussed it all that much on the blog, I have recently become OBSESSED with foundations. It's like I have had some sort of awakening and I now I need to try ALL of the foundations! Last month, I raved about the revamped Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate and now we need to talk about Guerlain's revamped Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation which promises to rejuvenate the skin with dual-faceted pigments combined with a collagen-boosting ingredient (I really can't tell from the ingredients list what this is, but I'd rather rely on my skincare than my foundation for this type of thing!).

Housed in a spiffy case that I feel should have ball-bearings and smoke coming out of it when opened, the Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation*(10g/$97.00 CDN) comes in 5 mattifying shades and is a cross between a creme and powder foundation. The texture is incredibly soft and applies easily to the skin with the included sponge.

If you have particularly dry skin, make sure you do a proper skin prep beforehand as my skin was quite dry the first time I used this foundation giving my skin a flaky finish. Use a hydrating primer like L'Or and a good moisturizer so that this foundation can look its best! If you would like to know my thoughts on the Guerlain L'Or Makeup Base, I wrote a review a few weeks ago (here).

Bare Face

I found the finish to be of medium coverage as the redness and unevenness in my skintone were immediately remedied. Up close, the powder finish accentuated some of the dryness around my nose, which I have been suffering from the past two months. I ended up dabbing on a bit of L'Or to the affected areas which seemed to do the trick. 

With L'Or and Parure Gold Powder Foundation

What is beautiful about this foundation is that my skin feels petal soft because of the talc base and LOOKS flawless in photos because of the dimethicone. I discovered on NYE that this is an awesome foundation for parties and events where lots of photos will be taken! Yes, we have filters on our phones, but this foundation has the filter built right in! I shared a little bit of the look I created for NYE in my L'Or review, but then decided to go with an updo for the night!

Face: 
Guerlain L'Or Radiance Concentrate*  
Parure Gold Radiance Powder Foundation in #03 Beige Natural*

Brows:
Burberry Effortless Eyebrow Definer Brow Shaping Pencil in #3 Ash Brown* 

Eyes: 
Apply your favourite eyeshadow primer all over the lid and under eye.
Apply a shimmery reddish brown on the inner and outer third of the lid. I used the Guerlain Petrouchka Palette* from Christmas 2014.
Apply a gold shadow in the middle of the lid.
Line lower lash line with a dark brown shadow.
Line lower waterline with Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyeliner in 0L*.
Line upper lash line with Kat Von D Ink Liner in Trooper.
Apply Guerlain Cils D'Enfer Mascara in #01 Noir.
Apply KISS Looks So Natural Lashes in Sultry*. 

Cheeks: 
Guerlain Petrouchka Palette* 

Lips: 
Guerlain Rouge Kiss in #325

Final verdict: For very dry skin, I would suggest going with the liquid version of this foundation. I have yet to try the liquid version, but I think it would suit my skin better in the current winter weather. As for the question of "Is this foundation worth the price?", if you are someone that puts a good foundation in the category of skincare then you will not balk at the $97 price point (the refill for this foundation is $69 which sounds more reasonable.) If I look just at the finish and wear-time, this is probably one of the few foundations I have that photographs incredibly well AND lasts for ages making this more of a "special occasion" foundation. If you are looking for a foundation to wear everyday, there are plenty of other options in the $50 price bracket that will do what you need.

The Guerlain Parure Gold Powder Foundation is available at The Bay and all Guerlain counters.