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Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation Review, Photos, Swatches

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation ($59.00 for 1.0 fl. oz.) is supposed to be moisturizing, light-diffusing, and have medium coverage with a “sheer satin” finish. It’s available in a mere eight shades (which continues to be Guerlain’s biggest weakness with their foundations–a lack of shade range). It is recommended for normal, dry, and combination skin types (note, oily was not listed).

I’m usually between 02 Beige Clair and 03 Beige Naturel in Guerlain’s foundations, and it was no different with Parure de Lumiere. I used one pump of each shade for light-medium coverage all-over on my normal-to-dry skin. To get more medium coverage, I used one and a half pumps of each shade. 02 Beige Clair is mostly neutral with beige undertones, whereas 03 Beige Naturel has moderately strong yellow undertones. When 02 Beige Clair is blended out on my skin, it actually looks almost pink-toned. I really wish the shade range was larger, but I don’t expect so (their newest foundation just popped up on Nordstrom with only six shades!).

Parure de Lumiere is a lightweight, long-wearing, skin-smoothing foundation that makes skin appear natural, radiant, and luminous without looking oily or greasy. The coverage is buildable from sheer to medium, though it lends itself naturally to a light-medium to medium application. For sheer coverage, I spritz my brush with a little water, and then I work the foundation across the skin; this enables me to get the sheerest coverage all-over and then build up coverage in the areas I need it most. I’ve been using this foundation on and off since November 2012, so I’ve had ample opportunity to use it under various skin conditions, seasons (though “seasons” in California are obviously less meaningful), and with many tools. I like applying it with fingertips quite a bit, and sponges work well, too. I really liked using Tom Ford Cream Foundation Brush with this, as well as Hourglass #2 Foundation Brush. There hasn’t been a brush I’ve used with this that hasn’t done an admirable job of applying it, really; it’s not a tricky product to apply at all.

The consistency isn’t too thick or too thin, and it spreads well across the skin and looks very natural when it dries down. It’s not so dewy that it looks oily or wet, but it is definitely a more luminous finish, which is why I can see it not being recommended for oilier skin types. It is also somewhat hydrating, but it certainly wouldn’t replace your full-time moisturizer; it is one of the more forgiving foundations on dry patches and flakiness–especially after a half hour or so, as it absorbs into the skin. It lasts eight and a half hours well on my skin, but if I set with powder, I get closer to ten hours of wear.  The only downside (which isn’t that bad) is that it takes a little longer to dry down on its own if you don’t apply powder.

Ingredients

Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 2.37%, Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate) 5.49%

Aqua (water), isododecane, glycerin, hydrogenated polyisobutene, methyl trimethicone, pentylene glycol, polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, disteardimonium hectorite, butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, maris aqua (sea water), phenoxyethanol, chondrus crispus (carrageenan), polyglyceryl-2 isostearate, silica, dimethicone, calcium sodium borosilicate, PEG-10 dimethicone, stearic acid, sodium myristoyl glutamate, parfum (fragrance), alumina, silica silylate, propylene carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, butylphenyl methylpropional, linalool, citronellol, BYHT, alpha-isomethyl ionone, benzyl benzoate, geraniol, tropaeolum majus extract, tocopherol, limonene, citral, ethylhexylglycerin, [may contain: ci 77891 (titanium dioxide), ci 77492, ci 77491, ci 77499(iron oxides)]

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation

Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation

113 Comments

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Ryou Avatar

This foundation looks absolutely gorgeous on you! It is weird how 02 blends out to pink-toned, though. Does it happen to you with other Guerlain foundations?

JoAnn Avatar

This is exactly the type of coverage and finish I’m looking for. Unfortunately my experience with Guerlain’s foundation shades has been iffy, and at this price point I can’t justify buying two bottles to find my shade match!

Sunny Avatar

This is the foundation I use in autumn/winter when I want to look “fancy” haha Beige Clair works fine for me (at least when I am paler), but I might want to try Beige Naturel too next time. I welcome a bit of yellow in my foundation!

artemis Avatar

Ok-ish…except the perfume, alumina and the end of the list. It looks pretty on, though, gives a nice glow. Way too expensive for its ingredients

ChefMichelleNYC Avatar

Wow, this looks stunning on you! I am dying to try out one of the Guerlain foundaitons… I almost splurged on Lingerie de Peau a few years ago, but ended up with Diorskin Nude instead… I might have to run out and try this… I love the finish and it sounds like it would be great for my super-dry skin!

Barbie Avatar

this also looks beautiful on you! it gives you a nice natural glow! this sounds perfect for my dry skin why does it have to be so expensive though 🙁

Gretchen Avatar

I’m so glad you’ve reviewed this Christine, it validates my love for this product. I bought this sometime ago and I think it ruined me for all other foundation. The color I bought is the closest match to my skin I have ever found and it wears all day long without a problem. Also, It doesn’t take very much to cover my skin (which is very dry) so the bottle I bought has really lasted a lot longer than other foundations. I can’t say enough about it. It is wonderful!

Emily Avatar

I’m so interested to hear what others think of this foundation. I myself have used about 1/3 of this up over the past 6 months. While I love the finish that Lingerie de Peau gives…. this just doesn’t compare to it. I have used my fingertips and my beautyblender to apply this foundation and I just don’t know what it is that makes me not like this. Of course it’s past the return date to Sephora. I’ve never just thrown out a foundation (I like to use what I have) but I’m seriously considering tossing this one. Sad.
I have normal/combo skin and use the lightest shade 01 I believe.

baby in a corner Avatar

i love the lingerie de peau finish too. still haven’t found anything that is so semi matte plus also luminous but that has a better shade range that suits me.

Christina Avatar

Hi Christine,

Do you like the finish of this or the Lingerie de Peau more? I have Lingerie de Peau (if you can get the Ambre shades overseas, they’re more yellow) and love the finish. Do you find the coverage and finish pretty similar, or is this a lot more luminous?

Thanks for the review!

Sasha Avatar

See on me it’s a little matte at first but by the middle of the day it has a distinct glow without necessarily making me look oily. Perhaps because you have drier skin your skin is actually soaking up more of the moisture whereas my oily skin isn’t.

baby in a corner Avatar

My favourite thing about lingerie de peau was that it hydrated but still looked fairly matte. I don’t think this is for me so.

Also totally agree re shade range, nothing of the shades are pale enough for me.

Veronica Avatar

I’d love to try this, but I echo your sentiments about the shade range. I didn’t realize just how limited they were until I wandered over to the counter in the interest of testing some of them. They’re great if you’re medium-toned, but otherwise…some of them didn’t even have shades light enough for an NC/W15, which makes it useless for the fair-skinned, and the darker end of the spectrum is completely overlooked. (Their new European-only foundation has only two shades! o_0) It’s a real shame because I love how beautiful and natural the finish is on this. It really just looks like a enhanced version of your own skin tone!

Veronica Avatar

Let me correct my previous statement – it’s four shades total. Two warm and two cool toned, and none of them run darker than an N25-30. Granted, it’s a brand new foundation with a $200+ price tag, but still…that sets some serious limitations on who can try it.

Anna Avatar

2 shades!? That’s insane.I get so annoyed when brands overlook black customers that I usually end up putting everything by the brand on a no-buy list. Smh.

AS1929 Avatar

Yeah, I love Guerlain foundations but I have to order Asia-exclusive shades from across the world because that is the only place to get the shades ending in the digit “1” which match me. Anyone darker than medium is out of luck. Chanel is the same way. Why is it “luxury” to only be a tanned European skin shade???

abigailod Avatar

Hi AS1929! May I ask what shades you wear in other brands and which Guerlain Asia-exclusive shade fit you? It will be helpful as I’m going to Asia early next year, so it might be worth the wait getting it there.

Veronica Avatar

I can understand why the European lines may have less of a darker skinned market to contend with overseas – what I don’t understand is why they’d continue to keep the range limited while selling in America. Even if you don’t produce the product for your European stores, you’d think it financially beneficial to manufacture an option for the more ethnically mixed American market. When I get asked by coworkers for makeup recs, I always feel embarrassed by how much I have to pare down the brand suggestions for my darker skinned coworkers. It just highlights how much that demographic is completely neglected.

Adriana Avatar

If it helps any, I’m a NW15, and the Parure de Lumiere shade in 12 Rose Clair is almost dead-on. Is that shade available where you are? If so, give ‘er a drive and see what you think!

Veronica Avatar

It may be. I’ll have to check Nordstrom’s. 🙂 I might have to keep it in mind for next summer – at this point, my skin will be an NW10 within three months, so buying an NW15 foundation when I already have two on hand isn’t financially sound. 😛 Thank you for the suggestion, though. 🙂

Meg Avatar

Thanks a lot! This is so helpful. I am NW15 and I just couldn’t find any information on this and worst part is that I cannot swatch it but order it online. So, thanks to you now I can go with rose clair. 🙂 xx

Sasha Avatar

Sephora does carry lighter shades, Beige Pale 01 and Ambre Pale 31 online. I’m not sure why they only carry medium tone foundations in store. Those lighter shades aren’t shown on the Guerlain website though, oddly.

Adriana Avatar

I love this foundation. I love it. My dry (but sweat-prone) skin’s really tricksy to find a foundation for, and I spent weeks and weeks testing and sampling different brands and formulas last year until I found the Parure de Lumiere. It was the only one out of dozens that made my skin look smooth and happy. On me, it seems to have a medium-full coverage, and it layers really well, so if I’m looking particularly grim in the morning, I use an extra pump and it always behaves nicely. It’s also excellent to use as a concealer if I use a small dab and a soft fingertip.

It’s the only foundation I’ve ever worn that people–more than one, I swear! And not just my Mom!–have complimented me on. It’s a very weird, and very welcome feeling.

But damn, it is SPENDY. I didn’t want to get sucked into Guerlain’s gorgeous gravitational black hole. I tried so hard to stay clean. I studiously avoided even glancing at their make-up counter for years. But Parure de Lumiere broke me, and now look what’s happened. I look fabulous. It’s a disaster.

abigailod Avatar

Hi AS1929! May I ask what shades you wear in other brands and which Guerlain Asia-exclusive shade fit you? It will be helpful as I’m going to Asia early next year, so it might be worth the wait getting it there.

Baby A.. Avatar

Hi, Abigailod!

I’m an NC30 and I have Ambre Clair 32. It looked OK when I first tried it but now it’s too light. should fit an NC20 maybe. They don’t have any darker shade than that though. I’ve looked around. So now I’m stuck with a gorgeous foundation that doesn’t match my skin. Sad.

abigailod Avatar

Oh no, sorry to hear! But thanks for sharing!

I was chatting with a Nordstrom SA and I was *actually discouraged from getting a Guerlain foundation given my MAC shade. =/

Lindsey Avatar

I’ve been wanting to try this, especially seeing how great it looks on you, but the limited shade range is discouraging. I feel like the undertone on 03 Beige Naturel looks good for me, but will probably be too dark for my NC25 skintone.

Wwendalynne Avatar

I haven’t actually tried this foundation.. Lingerie de Peau and Parure were the last Guerlain foundation products I tried and I’m close to 02 but find it pulls fairly pink even on my neutral skin. Tom Ford Fawn is a far better light neutral IMO. Since the very limited Guerlain colour choices always result in me custom mixing, I’m less inclined to use their products at this price point. This foundation looks the right side of dewy and pretty on you, Christine.

Christine Avatar

They tend to work out well for me (Guerlain’s formulas), so I don’t really mind having to buy two shades (just lasts twice as long!), assuming I’d commit/stay with it. The nice thing about buying two shades is i can go lighter or darker, depending on the season, as needed. But I think it’s only worth doing IF this would become your go-to, everyday/regular foundation so you’d actually go through both in a reasonable amount of time.

Erin Avatar

Dang, Christine, that looks gorgeous on you. I fell in love with PdL after trying some samples from Sephora. There was no going back after that. My own bottle of 31 Ambre Pâle arrived yesterday and it’s got to be the first foundation that’s ever matched me just right. I know that’s down to astronomical good luck, given how small Guerlain’s shade range is, but it’s so pretty that I was hellbent on wearing it regardless. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks pressed up against a magnifying mirror, scoping out how other foundations compare, and they just don’t. What gets me is how incredibly forgiving it is, especially over dry skin. Nothin’ handles dry patches or flakes like this does. It’s the first foundation I’ve ever tried that honestly looks like perfect, beautiful skin. I’m so happy that you reviewed it!

Adriana Avatar

We’re clearly long-lost twins because you’ve captured exactly how I feel about PdL too. It’s such a kind, generous formula. I’m plagued with dry, cranky skin, and it never makes me feel badly about myself. It’s like the Calming Manatee of the foundation world.

I’ve never found another foundation anywhere near as pretty. Good old Parure.

AmyD Avatar

thank you for your recent foundation reviews! 🙂 I’ve been using this in shade 23, after being steered to this from lingerie de peau at the guerlain counter (parure’s shade 23 matches me a little bit better than lingerie’s). I think i’ll have to return it, though, as it turns just a little ashy on me. 🙁 I do quite like the finish, but I’ve recently tried ysl’s touche éclat foundation, and I really like the finish of that, and the shade to which I was matched (bd60) matches me quite a bit better than the parure shade. this is a really lovely foundation, though – wish guerlain would run their foundations shades just a little bit more yellow, and i’d be head over heels in love.

AmyD Avatar

hi, abigail! so my thoughts on the touche éclat are rather limited – I was matched to bd60 in saks, and I wore it for about six hours, i’d say – i’d need to get a sample from a store and try it over a few days to get a really good impression of the foundation. as I tried it, though, the color match was fantastic for me in both natural and indoor lighting. I have rather oily skin, so foundations with more “luminous” finishes can get a little shiny on me – touche éclat gave me a soft glow without getting too oily on me. it’s not a thick foundation, but it’s not watery, either – it follows in the trend of the sheer-to-medium coverage foundations that result in a nice natural finish (I thought armani maestro would have followed in the same trend, but looking at christine’s review, it seems that that finish is rather more matte than, say, mufe hd, parure de lumiere, or touche éclat). great wear time on me – it didn’t fade or cake in pores at all – it stayed nice and natural-looking throughout the evening. i’d exchange parure de lumiere for touche éclat, but i’m already working through a bottle of mufe hd foundation (which I really like as well), and the difference between the mufe hd and touche éclat isn’t so drastic that I have a need to own both of them right now. once I finish the mufe, though, i’m definitely going to consider purchasing touche éclat.

abigailod Avatar

Big thanks, Amyd! =) I’m so glad you mentioned MUFE HD – I have that too and I’m happy with it overall. MUFE works best for me during winter; it’s most forgiving on my dry patches, when I have them. Would you say the MUFE HD is thicker than YSL’s, or same? What’s your shade in MUFE HD?

AmyD Avatar

hi, abigail! how funny; it just occurred to me today to check this reply thread, lol 🙂 i’m 170 in mufe hd; i previously tried to wear 153, but as i recall, it was too olive for my skintone. re: texture differences, i’d say the ysl was perhaps a little thinner, but the difference is not dramatic. if i were you, i’d try to get a sample of the ysl in your shade and try it out for a few days. the finish of the ysl is just a bit more luminous than mufe on my skin – i think you’ll have to compare in person in order to get the best impression – unfortunately i have to cut down on my makeup spending, so i can’t really justify owning both for myself, but perhaps you will find a place for the ysl in your foundation stash!

Tena Avatar

It makes your skin look totally radiant, I love it! Sadly, Guerlain foundations are way too dark for me, I’ve tried 02 and it looks like fake tan gone wrong on my face. I really hope they add some more shades in the future.

Tena Avatar

Thank you, I rarely shop there (it’s the only cosmetics store I haven’t got nearby) so I had no idea! I’ll definitely check it out =)

abigailod Avatar

Another long-awaited review, yay! Looks divine on you Christine! Your skin looks radiant!

And your brows are just perfect, what did you use on these photos?

AshDre Avatar

What a great review! Was wondering if you know anything about the new Guerlain foundation Tenue de perfection? I read it was more full coverage – would you recommend for normal to dry skin? Thanks 🙂

Miss J Avatar

I’ve always wanted to try Guerlain’s foundation, but they don’t have a suitable shade for me. In this, I’d probably have to mix 03 and 31. 01 and 02 both look way too pink on me, and 03 is too dark.

Alisha Avatar

On Guerlain’s website they have nine shades but I can’t find shade 25 in Nordstrom, Saks, NM, or BG. Would you happen to know any other stores that may carry it? TIA

Budziak Avatar

Because of you, I discovered a love for Guerlain. It started with the Lingerie De Peau foundation and eventually I fell absolutely head over heels for the Noir G mascara. Maxi lash isn’t too shabby either. So thanks for helping my eyelashes experience what mascara is supposed to do! 🙂 Looks like this foundation is next on my list.

Maggie Avatar

Christine–it’s so lovely of you to put up the ingredients list so I don’t have to hunt it down on my own. Thank you so much!

That said, the ingredients in the foundation looked promising in the first four lines–in line with what you mentioned in the review regarding longevity, moisture, luminosity, forgiving on dry patches, etc. But fragrance? Limonene? Linalool? Citronellol? Citral? Geraniol? All associated with allergies and contact dermatitis? I’ll have to pass on this one despite how lovely it looks and how well it performs on you. Oh Guerlain…you’d be so bad for my wallet if you were more hypoallergenic. Or if I weren’t allergic.

abigailod Avatar

Thanks for pointing those out, Maggie! It’s so easy to not look ahead (ingredients) and just buy it – and then have a reaction! Is there somewhere (website) I can visit to learn more, especially cosmetic-specific ingredients?

Cristina Avatar

Hi Christine!

This looks lovely on you:) Which do you like more, this one or Parure Gold? I heard Gold is being discontinued but I’m not 100% sure. Thanks!

Monique Avatar

This foundation looks amazing on you! I am right now thinking about buying a Guerlian foundation but I am not sure whether to buy the Lingerie de Peau or the Parure de Lumiére. Both seem to be very nice foundations. What would you recommend me? I have normal to dry skin but with a slightly oily t-zone. I like light to medium coverage foundations with a satin but not too dewy finish. (For example I do like the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua and also the Dior Nude foundation. I do also like the YSL Le Teint Touch Eclat but I do need to powder it well because if not it does look very shiny on me.). Thank you very much for your assistance!

Ashley Avatar

I know this is a bit of an old post so I understand if you can’t answer this-but I want to purchase this (though I’m a bit worried even the lightest shade will be too dark =/ ) and I was wondering if for this foundation-if I bought the Météorites Compact Powder & the Météorites Powder pearls, would or could both be applied together? I might be wrong but would the compact powder be more of a setting powder & the pearls just illuminate? I’m new to the site so that’s why I’m just discovering this now but you have made me a Guerlain convert just by how great the products look on you! Thanks in advance 🙂

Christine Avatar

Hey Ashley!

Yeah, Guerlain doesn’t have a lot of shade range – you might look at the 10? I think. There are some shades that seem high but are kind of light – it might be 10 or 12. Aside from that, you could use both if you wanted, or you could just use one. If you are more of an oily skin type, you may want a regular setting powder, and then finish with either of the Meteorites. The compact is more of a finishing powder, the pearls an illuminating/brightening one – they’re really quite similar in effect but loose pearls tend to be a little more sparkly.

Hope this helps! 🙂 Welcome!

Ashley Avatar

Thanks again for the advice Christine! There is a 01 Beige Pale & a 31 Ambre Pale that are supposed to be the lightest, I might try to stop by Nordstrom and see if they have those to try on but it seems even in some stores the shades are limited, but I won’t give up! I want to try this out 🙂

Emily Avatar

Hi!
I have the world’s most sensitive skin. Every, and I mean EVERY foundation on earth has broken me out, except this one. Dior, Illamasqua, YSL (Touche Eclat broke me out in a matter of HOURS, cystic, under the skin) , Lancome, (Guerlain’s Lingerie De Peau did as well), drugstore; L’Oreal, Revlon- Givenchy, KatVonD, TheBalm, I mean I have tried everything. Parure De Lumiere doesn’t! It’s a freaking miracle, but I’m not going to question it. Those with sensitive skin might have some luck!

Katy Avatar

Hi Christine,

I am having trouble deciding between Lingerie de Peau and Parure de Lumière. Both sound and look lovely, and the differences are subtle enough for me to have trouble deciding. What are your thoughts? I have combo skin, very fair–01 in Guerlain’s foundations!

Katy Avatar

Hi Christine,

I’m really having trouble deciding between this, Lingerie de Peau and Tenue de Perfection. If you could compare them a bit that would be so, so helpful to me. I have been reading your reviews of the trio like a bible, but it’s still hard for me to discern the most important differences, especially because all of Guerlain’s foundations are lovely!

Katya Avatar

Hi Christine,

I don’t know whether I would like this or Armani’s Luminous Silk better, even after swatching both of them. They are both so tempting! Which do you like better, and why?

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