Givenchy Eclat Matissime, Fluid Foundation Airy-Light Mat Radiance SPF20, $51/1oz @ Sephora
I'm calling this a mini review because I only used this foundation four times - It caused a few spots to start appearing. I'll probably try again down the road when/if my skin becomes less reactive.
So why am even bother mentioning it??? Because this little fortune has an amazing finish, while also having equally amazing staying power!! And I can't always dismiss something just because I have a reaction to it, especially since I seem to have very reactive skin these days. Hey, we're all different...that's why I wanted to put it up on your radar if it isn't already!
The finish...
It is described as "a fluid foundation featuring a new radiant matte finish that reveals the fine texture and glow of the skin". It looks like your skin after waking up fresh, revived, and having received the benefits and natural glow of the best moisturizer and treatments you have ever used. It looks flawless, but not fake.
I've seen this type of finish with some light coverage foundations because they are so thin they just highlight your already great skin. This foundation is medium coverage, buildable...and it looks like your skin, not your skin peeking through foundation. This even had enough coverage and a great consistency to cover up spots and extra redness. It also is very light and hardly feels as though you have anything on.
I have read a few reviews that this can oxidize, but is easily remedied by using a primer. I would test without primer first, then go from there.
The bottle is black plastic, but in very sleek packaging...with the signature Givenchy logo under the flip-top cap.
The size is smaller than a deck of cards, so it's great for traveling. However, I took it on two trips (three different overnight cities) and found it leaked a bit. It was very messy after the first time, so as soon as I cleaned it up I came up with the solution below...
Double over a very small piece of tissue so it just fits inside. It should fit smoothly and without much effort when you close the lid, as shown below...
This may not happen to everyone while traveling. I usually fly several legs a day (sometimes up to 7), so my products go through a lot more pressure changes than normal. I've actually had to employ some version of this technique with many of my foundation bottles. Anyway...it's a tidbit to keep in the back of your mind just in case!
The staying power...
Pretty much all foundations I've tried to date start cracking/separating around my oily areas...sometimes after a few hours, some last into the early afternoon. Then I have to buff them out and spot conceal to get them looking fresh again. Not this one! This really lasted into the evening!! I would use a blotting sheet once during the day, spray my Avene Thermal Water, and I was good to go. Normally I have to blot several times during the course of a day.
From the Sephora site:
Some matifying foundations absorb sebum too intensely. The skin is artificially dried making the skin produce more sebum through a boomerang effect. Eclat Matissime is formulated with silica beads structured to optimize the absorption of oil and moisture while allowing the skin to breathe for improved comfort.
My skin felt amazingly comfortable given the oil absorption. My oily areas were very controlled, while my dry areas actually remained as comfortable and hydrated as when I applied moisturizer in the morning.
If you think you have tried everything...maybe give this one a try!
**Edited to add: Thank you to the lovely JoanneP @The Convenient Beauty for reminding me when commenting that this shade range runs light...so PLEASE be sure to swatch before buying and don't rely on the shade descriptions!!
Givenchy Eclat Matissime, Fluid Foundation Airy-Light Mat Radiance SPF20
ingredients:
ACTIVE INGREDIENT: TITANIUM DIOXIDE : 3.16%.
OTHER INGREDIENTS : AQUA (WATER). METHYL TRIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE, ALCOHOL, PEG-9 POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, SILICA, ISODODECANE, ACRYLATES / DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER, PHENYLTRIMETHICONE, PHENOXYETHANOL, STEARIC ACID, ALUMINA, SODIUM MYRISTOYL GLUTAMATE, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), TETRASODIUM EDTA, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, SANGUISORBA OFFICINALIS ROOT EXTRACT, CARBOMER, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BARK EXTRACT, SODIUM STEARATE, ATELOCOLLAGEN, ZINC GLUCONATE, GERANIOL, SODIUM HYALURONATE, ZINGIBER OFFICINALE (GINGER) ROOT EXTRACT, SODIUM CHLORIDE, BHT