Clarins Ever Matte Foundation

Matte is in again, it seems. Several companies have launched (or reformulated) matte foundations just in time for spring/summer, answering the need for heat-ready performance with new, lightweight textures that keep the Joan Crawford crinkliness to a minimum.

Clarins recently debuted their Ever Matte line, which currently consists of a powder and foundation duo. I very much wanted to try out the foundation, as I am always on the hunt for that Holy Grail of foundations - something that will keep my skin matte yet fresh and natural-looking - so when I was offered the chance to review it I was delighted.

First of all, I love the packaging. It's clean and elegant, but so practical to tuck into your purse or travel bag. (And in fact, I took this on vacation with me last week!) It doesn't take up too much space and the squeeze tube keeps things hygienic.

But the more important question is, how well does this foundation perform? Clarins certainly makes great claims for Ever Matte:

Though it's not quite my personal HG, I think Ever Matte delivers on most of the promises.

I was incredibly impressed by how well it controlled my oily areas. I have combination skin, which means foundations can be especially challenging, as what fares well on my dry, flaky cheeks tends to slide right off my nose by mid-day. Not so with this - applied in the morning, Ever Matte lasted until I took it off in the evening. As the day wore on, it actually looked better on my t-zone. The oil never broke through, so instead of looking patchy and faded, the foundation just seemed to look more natural, without losing the matte finish and initial coverage level. I didn't need to powder it, which is a wonderful option to have in the summer when any extra layer, no matter how fine, can feel like one too many.

Ever Matte didn't settle into my pores, and in fact did a great job masking them. I was a little concerned that this would translate into clogging, but after a week of testing I had no problems with it contributing to acne. If you're sensitive to silicones though, be aware that it's the first ingredient.

What's also unique about this, and on-trend with the new foundation textures, is how incredibly lightweight it is. It really feels like you are wearing nothing, despite the initial creaminess. It blends right into the skin. This means that even with the matte finish, it looks natural.

Shade 105 Nude, in natural lighting.

Looks a tad too peach like this...

...but blends perfectly.

The coverage is what I would consider light to medium - enough to even out skin tone and minor discoloration, but would still require a concealer for stronger pigmentation or acne issues. I think this looks best when applied with a damp Beauty Blender, which keeps the coverage light but emphasizes the skin-like finish. It also dries fast, so it's best applied in smaller areas at a time.

This is not for all skin types, though, as it did emphasize flaky patches. For a matte finish, it is surprisingly kind to textured areas (read: pores and fine lines), but it cannot, and should not, be expected to deal with dehydrated skin. Due to its lightweight texture, I think it's probably one of the nicer foundations to wear if you have dry skin and still want a matte finish, but you will definitely want to make sure your skin is exfoliated and super-moisturized. (But honestly, matte is just not the best finish for dry skin.)

I should also mention that it has a distinct cucumber-floral fragrance. I enjoy it, but it might not suit your taste (or allergies). It also does have a sunscreen ingredient, which may or may not be a plus depending on what you prefer.

Availability: Can be found at www.clarins.ca, The Bay, as well as at select Pharmaprix/SDM and Murale locations. Price is 38$ CAD.

Pros: All-day matte finish and oil control. Featherweight texture and lighter coverage, great option for those looking for a natural but polished look. Easy and practical to use, as it cuts down on the need to powder and touch up.

Cons: Will - like any matte foundation - emphasize dry, flaky skin. Currently only has 7 shades and none for deeper skin tones.

(This item was provided by the brand for review.)