Violette Serrat on What Makes Guerlain's Parure Gold Collection Unique

What led to the introduction of the Parure Gold Skin Control into Guerlain’s Parure Gold complexion collection? What was the creative process behind it?

Guerlain has always turned to the rarest raw materials to reveal beauty. The most precious of metals — gold — was Guerlain Research’s source of inspiration for face products to adorn every face with an incomparable radiance. The colour gold is really light itself. It represents eternity and it can capture the light, absorb it and vibrate. To me, in beauty, that talks to my heart a lot and that’s why I want to add gold to everything we do with Guerlain.

The Parure Gold Skin Control perfects the complexion with a matte finish without appearing dry or cakey. What’s the secret behind that?

The complexion is impeccably matte with no mask or powder effect, perfectly blurred, with no cakiness. The complexion remains corrected all day, thanks to an extreme, infallible, and no-transfer hold.

What makes the Parure Gold Skin Control thrive in humid weather conditions?

When you are in a hot climate, you need hydration and something that’s not too oily to create a balance between the matte effect that absorbs the oil. It is exactly what this foundation is doing. The skin has hydration and it is not going to be as likely to release sebum throughout the day, so that controls the sebum a bit better because the formula is matte and it controls the shine as well. It’s also long-wearing for up to 24 hours with a very luxurious formula. Luxurious means quality so if you have the best ingredients and the best formula, it’s just going to last longer.

What guidance would you offer our readers when it comes to choosing between the Parure Gold Skin fluid foundations and this latest powder formula?

I guess it depends on your skin type and what finish you want; whether you want a glowy or matte finish. That’s what’s good about makeup. There aren’t so many rules, and it’s more about what you’re in the mood for.

Can you walk us through the steps to achieve a healthy canvas and flawless base? Tell us some of your best tricks.

I think skincare is key to having a great base, and I like to use a beauty blender or a kabuki brush for fuller coverage. I usually focus on the centre of the face and spread out, and I don’t put powders everywhere. Especially with the newest formula, Parure Gold, I don’t use powder at all because it applies on its own and there’s no need to add other products. I think that it’s also nice to have some touches of foundation. You don’t need to cover up your whole face. Having foundation under your eyes, around your lips, and a bit on the apple of the cheeks to highlight these areas could be enough; make sure you use your finger and dab. You can get a little bit of help from a brush if you need to. I don’t put any foundation on the nose. I like to keep it completely naked because it’s the centre of the face and it creates a beautiful optical illusion.

What are some of the best ways to complement a matte base?

I love to use a highlighter, or even the Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil, on the high points of the face like the cupid’s bow, the bridge of the nose, and the apple of the cheeks because it creates an incredible texture for the skin.

Do you have a favourite step in your makeup routine?

No, it depends on each day. Sometimes, I want to do my eyes. Sometimes, I want to do my lips. It depends on my mood!

What’s your current beauty obsession?

Now, I’m obsessed with all things blurred. I love this type of Korean makeup.

Can you give us a glimpse of what’s coming next for Guerlain Makeup?

You won’t need to go anywhere else to find what you’re looking for. We’re having fun creating the best of the best, with the best ingredients and the most amazing colours that are super chic to wear. I cannot tell you precisely what’s coming next but it’s a very exciting era for the brand!