Givenchy Prisme Libre Matte Foudation

[unpaid/sample/affiliate/ad] These are such good looking products that I almost regret not wearing matte foundation. But if that is your favoured foundation texture you are in for a treat – there are 35 shades so there should be a tone right for just about everyone.

It’s falling into the ‘skin caring’ category with 82% of ingredients being more like your day cream than your average foundation and that’s what (I think) gives it such a sensorial feel on the skin. It’s an interesting texture – not at all the powdery feeling matte you might expect – if anything, it’s skin softening, and while it is matte on the skin, it’s a modest matte that won’t exacerbate skin creasing or pores if used lightly.

I’d say it’s full coverage but these days products are as full as you let them be – you only need a very small amount of this as it goes a long way – make sure, as with all mattes, you have your moisturiser on underneath because they always have more powders than other finishes. You can add in a bit of moisturiser if it’s too full coverage for you but you will lose some of the matte effect.

The first shade in the swatch is 2-C180 and the second (above) is 2-N120. They’re neither quite right for my tone but I’ve had the experience of it which is what matters most. It feels premium – it should at £40. I would suggest Boots for this as they have it for £34 currently HERE.

I’m very keen on the Prisme Libre Pressed Powder seen here in Satin Blanc. That is a very good looking piece of make up that houses the powder, a mirror and a brush with a ‘leather’ lid and silver Givenchy logo. It’s a mattifying and blurring powder for when shine makes an unwelcome appearance – I really don’t see that you’d need to use it over the foundation because that’s matte enough but I can see it being handy for oil absorbing touch ups if needed. I don’t use powders other than very, very rarely so I haven’t put it to the test this time but think of it as a 4 colour setting powder with each complementary colour doing a different job – blurring, evening, mattifying and illuminating. I think these may be replacing the loose powder Prisme Libres – or perhaps just a more portable option. Boots has them for £33.15 instead of £39 HERE.

I also notice that there is a foundation shade exchange within 14 days – it reads ‘*14-day shade exchange promise, if the shade isn’t quite right we’ll exchange your foundation for your perfect match. Simply contact one of our advisors who will happily take you through our range of 30 inclusive shades to find the right one for you. Exchangeable only once within 14 days, until stocks last’. I think that most brands will have to start doing Lisa Eldridge style sample cards for foundations – that seems quite a costly exercise for Givenchy to replace full bottles, even if it is once.

Non affiliate HERE.