Guerlain • Parure Extreme • Liquid

Where To Buy?

sueren on 1/5/2009 3:42:00 AM more reviews by sueren

Age: 56 & Over   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

This is it, I think I have finally found what I have been searching for.
I have oily T zone, normal/dry cheeks and want a foundation that looks natural but covers some redness on my cheeks, lasts all day, gives a nice glow (not too matte or too greasy), applies like a dream, and is a great colour match for my NW 25 skin.
I purchased this is 03 Beige Naturel and it certainly ticks all the boxes.
Used Bobbi Brown's Face Base over my Estee Lauder's Perfectionist, then applied the Parure Extreme with my fingers, set with a light dusting of Guerlain's Beige Lumineux Meteorites, added Nars Orgasm Blush and a touch of Tom Ford's bronzer and it is the most perfect long lasting look (13hrs today) that I have ever achieved.
My only comment is the current lack of colous available, I am so delighted that 03 was perfect for me.
I have tried, and experimented with numerous other foundations over the years.
Others that I have used and have nearly been perfect, are EL Double Wear (a bit heavy) and DW light (very nice, but shade 3 was just a little too yellow for me). EL Re-Nutriv (smooth application but always looked too greasy).
Chanel Teint Innocence Compact shade 30 Cendre was beautiful but I seemed to often use too much, and it didn't always last quite as long as I would have liked.
I hope that I have now finally ended my search

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

swoodley on 1/2/2009 12:27:00 PM more reviews by swoodley

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I really wanted to like this product. After reading all of the glowing reviews I hoped that it would replace my EL DW as my HG foundation. Unfortunately this one falls a little short. The lightest shade is too dark for my pale skin. By the end of the day I looked in my rearview mirror and my face was a complete oil slick. My skin is very oily but I thought this might mattify and last all day like DW. Disappointing results for such a high priced foundation.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Hayne on 12/29/2008 4:43:00 PM more reviews by Hayne

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Blond, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Green    

Unfortunally, I did not like this. I was excited by the reviews and got some samples of it to try. I used my Mac 187 brush with it. But, for some reason the color was off and it looked thick later in the day. I tried it for three days with primer and without and it still did not work for me. Glad I did not buy it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

christallef on 12/28/2008 10:18:00 PM more reviews by christallef

Age: 36-43   Skin: Oily   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I'd been using mineral foundation for a while and decided to go back to liquid foundation for the winter. I read the reviews of this foundation on MUA and decided to give it a try. The texture is pretty watery but it has wonderful stay-on power. It gives my skin soft and velvet-like finish. It doesn't look like you have much makeup on. It does not cause any breakout for my acne prone skin. It has medium coverage and I still need concealer for my acne spots but I'm very happy with this purchase. The glass bottle is very nice though it could be heavy for travel.

UPDATE: It seems like a lot of you are having trouble finding a good color match. I got mine at the duty free shop in Asia where they offered the lightest shade 01. The color is a perfect match for me. :-)

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*TOP REVIEWER* melissap1 on 12/23/2008 2:37:00 PM more reviews by melissap1

Age: 44-55   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Hazel    

After having tried most of the high end foundations out there, I have found this wonderful gem. My color is 02, which matches my NW20 skin beautifully. I am super impressed with this foundation after having used it for a week or two. The dispenser is wonderful, compared to the open neck glass bottles of other foundations (yuck). You don't need much to achieve flawless coverage. It is sort of thin, and you'd expect the coverage to be the same, but it is anything but. This looks great in photos and seems like a "High Def" type of foundation. It lasts longer than any other foundation I've tried - even Double Wear by EL. I use a foundation brush to apply and it is easy to blend and get even coverage without looking like you have makeup on. It is truly a wonder. I think it will last very long given the small amount you need. It gives the best coverage for a "no makeup feel." I am liking Guerlain more and more.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

aerobideb on 12/23/2008 11:10:00 AM more reviews by aerobideb

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I have been using this foundation for almost a week now and I am mega-impressed. This truly is hg!!! I bought shade 02 which is a fantastic match for my nw20 colouring. I apply this with my 187 brush and it blends immaculately, giving a wonderful airbrushed look. Always the proof of a good product is that it looks even better hours later, and this passes the test and then some!! I am so please with this foundation and it's all thanks to this site that I found out about a true foundation star.

Update: Oh dear, oh dear!!! After having used this fab foundation over a period of approx 2 weeks, I broke out - BADLY!! I had a break from it and used mineral makeup for a month, and my skin went back to it's near perfect self! Anyway, I had another go. I used it everyday over a period of about a week, double cleansing every evening to remove every last trace. I am disappointed to say that I broke out badly again, in places where I don't normally break out. In fact, my skin looks terrible - bumpy, blotchy and crap. This is not how my skin normally behaves and so, it is with great regret that I have to stop using this lovely foundation. I don't think there's such a thing as a perfect foundation. I'm going back to my Elizabeth Arden mineral makeup, m-u-c-h better!!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* bobbictx on 12/23/2008 5:34:00 AM more reviews by bobbictx

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

After searching MUA for the highest rated foundation and reading tons of reviews, I decided to buy this one.

I ended up returning it. It did not make my skin look dewy at all, but rather quite matte, and that was even after moisturizing before application. The coverage was good, but it was a little cakey.

I love the scent, and the consistency, but no way was this foundation worth the $60 I paid for it. I've used $12 foundations that were the same or better in terms of wear and appearance.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* dollbird on 12/20/2008 7:02:00 PM more reviews by dollbird

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Coarse   Eyes: Black    

This foundation first peaked my interest when I saw it on the Sephora website...the description says it "leaves the complexion glowing with a naturally matte finish", and I thought hmm, how can this be? Glowing usually means greasy and shiny (not in a good way). Long story short I'm so glad I tried it as I have found my HG. It is the perfect foundation for me in every sense- excellent full but natural coverage (takes care of pimples, acne scars, dark shadows, big pores and NEVER cakes even with several layers), very good staying power, good skintone match (although I wish it was a tiny bit more yellow for my warm yellow-toned medium skin...I use this in shade 3 Beige Natural), luminous yet excellent oil control (I have very oily T zone), doesn't break me out, doesn't accentuate flakies from Tazorac use, and above all makes my skin look like flawless soft butter. I have gotten compliments like 'radiant' and 'healthy looking skin'. This is quite a feat as I have big pores, uneven skin tone, and some acne scars. I did not know this was possible in a foundation, having tried and be let down by many e.g. high end Giorgia Armani LSF and Face Fabric, Dior, Bobbi Brown, MUFE, Laura Mercier to mineral makeup e.g BE, Alima, Everyday Minerals, Jane Iredale, etc.. While they may fare very well in some departments none of them are perfect in every sense as this has been. I honestly don't understand how Guerlain mastered making a foundation that is luminous yet matte but I have to hand it to them. Packaging is a nice bonus but I was more concerned about the content. Guerlain hit a home run with this product and I pray it never gets discontinued. I find it applies much better and looks more natural with a MAC 187 brush than a normal foundation brush.

EDIT: Moved on to Cover FX creme foundation. Better coverage and skin tone match. Guerlain is just too beige for me.

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

lufet_k on 12/6/2008 3:28:00 AM more reviews by lufet_k

Age: 19-24   Skin: Very Oily, Olive   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

oh my God.. after lemming on this product.. checking on reviews..googling it 24/7...

i finally got this miraculous foundation!!

my shade is 4..i am nc 40 to 42.. this is the best neutral shade for me!

if u want a cheaper alternative... try fasio fit and stay foundation. same consistency


but i love this one! looks natural! covers very well
yey!

my bf got it for me anyways thats why the foundation is so special..

im so happy

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etatop on 12/5/2008 10:41:00 AM more reviews by etatop

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Green    

Exellent foundation! It's the best I ever had! Smooth, silk, long-lasting, just perfect!

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freyjia on 12/2/2008 10:09:00 AM more reviews by freyjia

Age: 25-29   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I used Silky-Smooth Foundation Semi-matt SPF12 by Guerlain before and loved that one. Think it is now discontinued so I bought this new Parure Extreme. I have to say, this one is even better!!!!! It is easier to blend out with similar coverage. It is still matte on my face without deepening any fine lines because it is also very moist. Will defo recommended to everyone!!

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Baldufita on 11/26/2008 6:13:00 AM more reviews by Baldufita

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Silver   Eyes: Brown    

I'm in love with that foundation. Serious HG material!! The foundation is very liquid-y, so you think it's not going to cover a thing, but it does! It blends like a dream, because of the consistency, and doesn't set so quick that you don't have time to blend, but it doesn't stay gooey for a long time either, if I make sense... :P My skin is normal, but very acne prone (although I've been on Accutane), and I think this foundation would be excellent for normal-dry, combo and oily skin types... Very oily might find that it doesn't settle fast enough, and very dry types might find it emphasizes dry patches (but they have Parure Aqua for that). For me, this foundation is IT! and the shade I got (02) matches perfectly my skin.
I hope all the blabla I wrote helps you in finding the right foundation for you and, if you really like satiny-full cover finishes, give Parure a try... It won't hurt! :D

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* soraya69 on 11/23/2008 5:22:00 PM more reviews by soraya69

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

My HG is EL DW, but I noticed that it can look a bit cakey sometimes. Anyways, after reading the reviews on this foundation I wanted to give it a try, and I must say that it performs just as well as DW, and even better, because it never looks cakey, no matter how much I apply!
Before I used the matte foundation from Guerlain, and I remember being very impressed with the texture, but it broke me out. This one hasn't broken me out, which is a major accomplishment for a foundation in my books. Even if it is highly fragranced, it doesn't seem to be bothering my skin in any way. The scent is there for quite some time, but eventually disappears.
The color match is slightly off. I wear Ecru in DW, which is a perfect match, and in Parure Extreme the only shade I can wear is Light Beige (the lightest), which is still slightly darker than I'd like it to be. But it's not that noticeable, and oddly enough, the more I use it, the better it matches (?).
The texture is pure love. It spreads easily, covers very well (same as DW), and leaves a nice natural soft finish. It lasts and lasts, doesn't rub off stuff, controls oil very well (but in this regard DW is still a bit better).
Overall I can say that this is my #1 foundation, followed closely by EL DW. EL DW Light is third, although it tends to break me out.
EDIT 7/7/2011 - Actually I'm no longer a fan of this foundation, as I find it oxidizes too much on me, and it gets too dark, considering the lightest shade is darker to begin with. Also, It makes me oily faster than others, and my face itches a bit while I have it on. So my HG is still EL DW, followed by LM Silk Creme

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

sucker4makeup on 11/15/2008 1:58:00 PM more reviews by sucker4makeup

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Blue    

WOW! I bought this stuff after seeing it on Sephora.com. I was a bit skeptical, as it is so new and not yet thoroughly reviewed. Boy am I glad I decided to take a leap of faith and get it (can't go wrong with Sephora's return policy). I tried it last night for the first time and let me tell you...it is a dream. I have normal/combination skin that is acne prone. Pores a bit on the large side. It went on like silk and my skin felt...and looked...like butter! It covered beautifully (I would call it medium coverage on the first pass which can be easily layered for full coverage). Granted, I only wore it last evening, so I still can't comment on the staying power. I will update if need be. COLOR CHOICE: I am a MAC NW20 and shade 02 Beige Claire is a dead ringer. Yay! TO APPLY: Shake the bottle well - but don't make the same mistake I did! I removed the cap (it is a pump bottle) and was shaking it like crazy without looking. Well...this stuff is so light in texture, it splattered all over the walls and my shirt. Ugh. So...definitely shake with the big cap ON. Also, I wasn't sure if a sponge, brush, or fingers would work the best with this, so I just used my fingers. I will try other application methods and update if I find a better one. I used my trusting NARS loose powder over this and it looked incredible. BOTTOM LINE: If you are a foundation junkie like me, try it...you will not be disappointed! However, I will say that it is probably best suited for less oily types...if you are really oily, I am not sure it would perform as well. Let us know!!!

UPDATE - 02/10/13:
Four years later and this stuff is still my holy grail. I have strayed a few times over the years just to try new things, but keep coming back to this. A close 2nd that I have tried recently is Chanel Vitalumiere Satin Smoothing Fluid Makeup. While that stuff is great and there are things I actually like better about it (smell, finish), it just doesn't have the coverage that my Guerlain has. I tend to use the Chanel on the rare "perfect" skin days when I don't need as much coverage and the Guerlain all other days.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* condesadepitimini on 10/24/2008 8:50:00 AM more reviews by condesadepitimini

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Blond, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I have been given a sample of this foundation last weekend. I was matched to the lightest available shade which should be ivory 02 - I guess (as I was given a "custom made" small jar I cannot remember what the SA wrote on the bottom).
This foundation is very good.
It gives a full coverage but still does not appear cakey or as a mask.
I need full coverage in foundation due to my melasma, and few foundations perform to that extent (EL Double wear is one of those, but it is a bit on the heavy side).
Parure Extrème is also very good in covering and is long lasting - the SA said you can swim with this on and it will not melt... not quite sure about that, and I am not gonna try.
The finish is light & smooth on your skin, in the sense that you do not really feel an heavy coat on your face; and this is very good.
What I have to complain about is the staying power and the oil balancing: to me it did not last more than 4 hours before being oily in my T-zone. Well, nothing tragic, as it could be with a little blotting and powdering.
However I would have expected a longer control of the oil sides, as we are in autumn here it is not hot and my T-zone is perfectly manageable in this season.
Therefore 4 lippies instead of 5.
But it's a very good one (please skip Parue Aqua, these two are not even belonging to the same famlily tree!), although a bit on the pricey side.

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BlissBubble on 10/19/2008 2:28:00 AM more reviews by BlissBubble

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Dark   Hair: Other   Eyes: Brown    

Best foundation ever.
I knew instantly when i felt it's texture and saw waterproof on the label- this is unlike any other foundation i have ever used.
Not only is it a dream to apply but it is like a second skin and one of the rare brands in which i found my perfect match!
The price tag is high but for the benefits and the massive bottle which could well last you a year, it's worth it for beautiful skin.
Highly recommend.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Eolo on 10/4/2008 5:17:00 PM more reviews by Eolo

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

When I saw this product was sort of like "Meh, it's like Double Wear Light...", however being the foundation addict that I am I just had to try it and this is so much better, first the texture is so easier to blend than DWL and far more luminous (don't get me wrong, DWL is a great foundation), it lasted the promised eight hours without any oxidation, slipping or adulteration of product, texture or finish. I looked dewy but not greasy.

I applied it with with my trusty 187 brush and it looked (and felt divine), it comes in a sumptuous bottle with a pump dispenser with your standard 30ml (1 oz.) size.

It is expensive, but I'm oily and acne prone so product satisfaction and no break-outs take precedence before price. If you want a not so expensive option, try Estée Lauder's Double Wear Light which also performs fairly well, although I do think that Parure is better plus it has a higher SPF rating.

Edit - Oxidized a lot, so I changed the rating.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

osijek on 9/23/2008 7:18:00 AM more reviews by osijek

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Tan   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Other    

This is the best foundation I ever had!! Perfect!! I would buy again! I try parure aqua but it is too bad...Extreme is great believe me. :)

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