Givenchy Teint Couture Collection: Teinte Couture Balm, Teint Couture Long-Wearing Fluid Foundation, Teint Coutur Embellishing Concealer and Noir Couture Volume

Givenchy is a stellar brand that always seems to be under the radar compared to other couture beauty brands like Dior, Armani etc .  I really think they they excel in development of new foundation technology. Their Teint Couture Collection offers an outstanding complexion line up- From the *NEW* Teint Couture Balm, The TC Long-wearing fluid Foundation and  *NEW* TC Embellishing concealer. There is also the TC powder compact of which I have yet to own, since I do not gravitate towards powder foundations, though the Givenchy SA assured me this powder is perfect for setting the balm and foundation....

TC Balm, TC concealer, TC Foundation, Noir Couture Volume

Teint Couture Balm in Shade 4

This is lightweight creamy lotion that blurs pores and imperfections without the usual heavy silicone feel of other 'blur' effect complexion enhancers. For me this sits somewhere between a tinted moisturiser with the added benefit of making my pores and skin look polished will still looking like healthy fresh skin. It adds a glossy natural finish to my oily skin that lasts the whole day. The glossy natural finish is different to when we talk about foundations that have a radiant finish- as in foundations that have some sort of micro-pearl within the foundation to create radiance. This Balm is more of a plumped healthy gloss that reads natural. There is no melting of this beautiful foundation. I chose shade 4. It goes on seemingly lighter than my skin but once I've finished with my other makeup this is one of the best matches ever for my skin! I do powder through my T-zone to give it a slightly matte effect- I suspect dry girls could skip this step. It has a SPF 15 PA++ sun protection - always good for a daily foundation (though always wear a separate SPF for added protection). This has become my go to every day face! I cannot recommend it enough, which I did in fact do. My friend went out, sampled it and bought it the next day!

Teint Couture Long-Wearing Fluid Foundation in Shade 4
A buildable medium coverage foundation. It is described as having 'made to measure coverage ' and I'm sure if fuller coverage is your preference you could achieve it without any heaviness. This long wearing foundation gives me a very polished finish without looking too done. It has a demi matte finish - it never looks flat but allows the skin to retain dimension. This foundation also even out my complexion and blurs pores with ease and looks like velvet (in a good way.) After a few hours it still remains but with a slight dewiness. It never descends into a oil slick and never breaks up. It has a SPF 20 PA++. I have not tested it with flash photography.

Teint Couture Embellishing Concealer in Shade 2
I bought this item on a whim as it had received some unfavourable reviews. I am happy to report that I absolutely adore this concealer. As you can see, it has a pink 'illuminating' section together with the traditional concealer part in stick form. It feels quite hard to the touch, but it has a very light texture with good coverage. I either draw straight onto my underage (rarely do with other concealers) or draw onto my 'hand" palette and dab and warm product onto my undereye area. It has never once accentuated fine line and while not overly moisturising my under eye, it looks good. I have used it for spot concealing and will typically use only the concealer section. I have to admit I have not just used the pink section for highlighting on its own. I would definitely buy it again.

Noir Couture Volume
First, lets all just swoon over such sexy packaging. Hefty looking but actually quite portable, the mascara is housed in a gorgeous slick tube. It has a dense big brush. I usually favour these over the newer silicone skinny brushes. This mascara give big, bold lashes. It does not flake and stays intact till I take it off. If its high impact lashes you are looking for this would be a good product for you!


I have to say Givenchy has won over my heart with these products. I have already started trialling their Airy Light Mat Radiance and best selling Phot'Perfexion Fluid foundations and so far I'm impressed with me leaning toward two huge thumbs up for both of them.

Is there a brand that you wish had more attention?
xx

Givenchy Acoustic Colors Collection Fall 2012

I did not realize that Givenchy was such a hard to find brand (as we get it where I live), though collections come in extremely limited quantities (something like 2 items of each product per concession). I see that Sephora carries it and still has their 2012 Fall collection in stock. I keep on overlooking my Givenchy quads, and I'm not sure why - they have a good colour selection with wonderful textures. The quad I bought was no exception - Le Prisme Yeus - Accoustic Quatour Colour and Shine for Metallic Eyes in Acoustic Harmony (80). This was apparently inspired by the connection between music, emotion, sound and colour. These colour seem a random collection but can be layered and played with to create counless look. They are high in shine and interspersed with divine chunky glitter that makes your eyes twinkle. Watch out for fallout - I did not mind as my makeup looked lived in. This is my eyes little black dress for a night on the town.  I hate to say it I did wear this in the day, but I guess it would not be appropriate for office use unless in the creative industry, What I love about this quad is that not only did it have sparkle but a big punch of well pigmented colour as well. This compact quad has hidden brushed that are below the quad - good for travel.

The next item I bought from the collection was the Rouge Interdit Shine Acoustic Wild Rose (29) lipstick. Swatched on the hand it comes on quite metallic, but on the lips it is sheer, softly metallic, my lips but better colour. It is described as a 'shimmering plum'. The bullet is firmer than most lipstick, but it is really comfortable to wear. It does have that classic (old- fashioned?) scent which I don't really care for, but it dissipates after a while. The lipstick being sheer does not have staying power.

Acoustic Wild Rose Lipstick

To really make this collection rock I had to get the lipgloss- Gelée D'Interdit Smoothing Gloss Balm Crystal Shine Acoustic Wild Rose (18). Non-sticky and moist is how I would describe it. Beautiful ruby  and pink micro-glitter supended in clear gloss, with no grittiness. This gloss has a cocktail of ingredients good for plumping, smoothing and hydrating. I can definitely vouch for its hydrating properties but have not used it long enough to ascertain if it has any smoothing effect. Plumping- not that I have seen. The scent is a lot stronger than the lipstick, so those scent adverse would have a hardtime with this, though it is really nice. I wear this over the Accoustic Wild Rose lipstick for added sparkle. With this in mind I think this would have made an awesome christmas collection - jewel tones and sparkle!

                                                                                                                                                          

Out of focus to show sparkle

L-R Lipstick, Gloss, Gloss over Lipstick

Please keep in mind these swatches are coming up muddy and are actually more rose in reality.

Overall, this is a well-edited concise collection. There were other item, but they were not as exciting as these- their was a colour changing clear gloss but sadly, we did not get it here. So if you can find these limited edition items - get them as they are unique!

Givenchy really offers such beautiful makeup, and I will definitely make a point of using them more often.

Which brands do you love but keep on forgetting to use?