Review: Yves Saint Lauren La Teint Touche Eclat Illuminating Foundation SPF 19

Source: Sephora (not an affiliated link)

YSL Touche Eclat Foundation ($55 for 1 oz) has recently joined the army of new generation of lightweight foundations that are designed to give us the second skin effect. Particularly since I'm a fan of the well-known Touche Eclat highlight pen, I feel the urge to give the foundation version a serious try. 

Touche Eclat foundation has quite large shade range, addressing pink, neutral and yellow skin undertone. The pink-based shades are all named Beige Rose with a number indicating the intensity. Similarly, the neutral shades are all Beige and the yellow-based shades are all Beige Dore. I tried both Beige 40 and Beige Dore 40 on my skin and didn't notice much difference between the two. Beige Dore dries just a touch lighter. The good thing is this foundation doesn't oxidize a lot. A plus I should say.

Touche Eclat foundation offers sheer to medium coverage and natural finish. It covers the minor blemishes and even out the discoloration. It's light weight and feels comfortable on my skin. However, it doesn't provide the second skin effect. I can see the texture of my skin showing up lightly underneath this foundation.

Also, the consistency, the texture, coverage and even the shade of this foundation is very similar to Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum.  I swatch Beige Dore 40 and Beige 40 against Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum 53 below.  

The foundation is supposed to give you some sun protection. I don't get that SPF 19 thingy. Why not SPF 20? Anyway, I don't see my face turn ghostly white in flash photography so it can be ok for it.

Here are what I like about YSL Touche Eclat foundation

1. decent coverage for me 
2. natural finish
3. doesn't oxidize to orangy/muddy color
4. decent wearing about 6 hours without powder or primer
5. pretty good color match

And what I don't like most is that it doesn't smooth out my skin. Besides, it produces almost exactly same result as Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum ($18 for 1 oz on ASOS) does. Since I already have Bourjois', I skip Touche Eclat. 

Bottom line. YSL Touche Eclat is a likable foundation to me. Everything from coverage, texture, shading, wearing is decent but not impressive enough to call my love.

*****A side note on my skin and foundations*****

 I have medium yellow undertone (MAC NC 25-30) with some redness on the cheek and dull skin on the chin. My face skin is nearly one shade deeper than the neck. I look for a foundation that match my neck skin to create a seamless transition from face to neck. I don't classify my skin as good but I don't have break out or major skin problems. Loads of foundations turn orangy or muddy on me within one to three hours of wearing. This is the frustration of finding a good foundation for my makeup.  

Four must-have traits of a good foundation for me

1. doesn't turn orange or muddy throughout the day
2. dries in natural finish
3. evens out the color and smoothes the skin (finely milled texture)
4. covers veins, discoloration, redness and minor dark spots