by Olesya Novik

Since publishing a few affordable cosmetics review articles, we’ve had a number of requests for high-end product reviews — especially when it comes to foundation. After all, many of us would pay just about any amount of money for flawless skin, and yet, that porcelain complexion is never a guarantee –  no matter how high the price tag!

And they can sure get high! A high end foundation can set you back as much as $185… and that doesn’t even mean you’ll love it!

So, if you’ve been considering blowing serious cash on something that claims to give you the most beautiful skin you’ve ever had while also healing it, protecting it from the sun, smoothing any fine lines, and eradicating all of your pores… read on, and make an educated decision.

The following are some of the more popular high end foundations that have been launched recently that some of my clients have been curious about. If you have questions about a particular brand or product, please let me know what it is in the comments section, and if I have any experience with it, I’ll be sure to give it a review.

Yves Saint Laurent Teint Resist Long Wear Foundation

YSL foundations have long been known for their high quality makeup, and this newcomer to their long list of foundations has caused quite a stir among makeup fans who like to look impeccable with minimal touch ups, no matter how much sweating they may do that day.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of long-lasting foundations out there, and most do live up to their “transfer-resistant” claims. The problem is, they don’t look nearly as good as their non-long wearing counterparts.

If this describes your experiences, you’re in for a pleasant surprise — YSL’s Teint Resist looks absolutely flawless on the skin. In fact, it completely vanishes, providing invisible coverage that manages to really perfect the complexion while staying very light-weight. It sets to a matte finish that’s still fresh, not powdery-looking.

It’s very easy to apply, as well — no sponge necessary, you can just use your fingers. If you have oily skin, you may appreciate the fact that this foundation isn’t likely to slide around the oily parts of your face the way they usually tend to do.

Keep in mind, this is a sheer coverage foundation. It won’t cover acne scars or serious discoloration… it’ll look a lot like a very good tinted moisturizer (with the added benefit of being long-lasting, something you’d never expect from a moisturizer).

Now, for the negative.

If you tend to break out easily, you’ll want to get a sample before spending the $55 on it, as it does contain silicones in it that may result in a reaction (though it is oil-free). If your skin is extremely dry, you may want to stay away from this product altogether, as it’ll end up making your skin feel even more dry as the day goes on.

So, if your skin is generally in a pretty good condition, and you’re looking for a product that will really make it look flawless — and keep it looking impeccable through the day, you may want to grab a sample in your shade and take it for a test drive.

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Foundation

Many of us regular Armani makeup users expect wonders from this company, especially after its success with Skin Fabric foundation. This new formulation was created to go on smoothly, have a very light texture, and last for up to 16 hours — much like the YSL foundation reviewed above.

The Armani Silk foundation provides heavier coverage than the YSL, but still feels very light once on. It lives up to its “long lasting” claims and will definitely last for up to 14 hours. If your skin is on the drier side, you may prefer this foundation to YSL’s, as it isn’t drying in any way at all. On the flip side, if you’re oily at all, the Lasting Silk won’t provide any oil control, so you may not love it.

Additionally, it comes in an incredibly limited color range. Most of my friends have been unsuccessful in finding a shade that matches their skin perfectly, and if you’re spending $58 on a foundation, you expect it to work without having to blend it with other colors just to get it to match your skin.

The other thing you may want to consider, is the fact that while the UV the Armani Silk foundation contains is great for sun protection, it’ll tend to reflect any camera lights, so this is not a good choice for any time you plan on being photographed.

La Prairie Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation

This one’s been around for quite some time and has a cult following — most women who try it end up becoming addicted it. Loving this foundation is dangerous when you consider the fact that it’s just about the most expensive makeup product I’ve come across, at $180.

Skin Caviar Foundation comes with a matching concealer right in the lid. Both products feel amazing going on — very smooth and silky, providing just the right amount of coverage, and making you look absolutely flawless. This is a buildable coverage product that’ll suit anyone looking for more coverage than the above two products would provide.
Now, it’s not all positive! While La Prairie recommends this foundation for all skin types, I’d stay away from it if you’re oily. It doesn’t do much to control oil, and while I don’t expect it to last all day (they don’t claim that it would), I really don’t like having to fuss over my makeup all day — especially when you remember how much you spent on this product.

If, however, you have normal or dryer skin types, you will adore this product. It’ll last you a good 6 months with daily use, so if you have the money to spend, I’d say give this a shot — just make sure you get a good color match at the La Prairie counter.

Cle de Peau Teint Naturel Satine Foundation

This is a cream foundation that’s a personal favorite. It comes in plenty of shades and is perfect for the olive girls who usually have a tough time finding a foundation match. La Prairie, for one, doesn’t have a range that expands into yellow-toned complexions. Cle de Peau solves that problem; I was able to find a perfect match, which rarely happens!

This foundation also seems to work well regardless of whether you have dry or oily skin. If you’re extremely dry and peeling, you probably won’t love any foundation as it’ll end up accentuating those peeling skin flakes… but if you’re generally smooth, this is a fantastic product that I highly recommend trying.

The finish you’ll get with Cle de Peau is on the dewy side. It isn’t matte at all, but it doesn’t look oily whatsoever. You need a pea-sized amount, as a little bit goes a very long way. It’s easy to apply, you can use a brush or your fingers, and it’s highly buildable, as well.

The only downside? At $118, it definitely doesn’t come cheap! I suggest getting a sample and seeing whether it’s worth it to you. Let me know what you decide!

Think I’ve left some great high-end products out of this review? Have something to ask or add? Post up below!