Second Skin
In the pursuit of utter complexion perfection, purveyor of luxury skincare La Prairie has combined the best of science and make-up artistry to create an offering like no other. MiNDFOOD discovers the innovation behind the latest additions to the luxurious Skin Caviar Complexion Collection.
With a plethora of formulations to choose from, finding the dream foundation can certainly be tricky. A flawless complexion might be the goal for many when investing in a new foundation – however, today we expect much more than a formula that works by simply covering up any imperfections. Instead, we now want formulas that work to enhance the overall health of our skin.
It is this very notion that drives La Prairie’s ever-evolving complexion category. “The complexion category is a bridge between skincare science and make-up artistry,” explains Greg Prodromides, chief marketing officer of La Prairie. Rather than just viewing make-up as a way to hide imperfections to achieve that flawless, even skin tone, Prodromides believes that complexion products such as foundation, concealer and powder should improve skin over time and optimise the benefits of the skincare ritual.
Two exciting new additions to La Prairie’s Complexion Collection, Skin Caviar Loose Powder and Skin Caviar Powder Foundation SPF15, bring this philosophy to life. “These new products are more than just complexion products – they are a sublime blend between La Prairie’s unique caviar science and colour artistry,” says Prodromides.
THE NEWCOMERS
La Prairie’s Skin Caviar Powder Foundation SPF15 and Skin Caviar Loose Powder join their Skin Caviar Concealer Foundation – which is often touted as the holy grail of
“These new products are a sublime blend between La Prairie’s unique caviar science and colour artistry.” GREG PRODROMIDES
the foundation world – and glowenhancing Skin Caviar Essence-InFoundation, launched last year.
“We decided to extend our Skin Caviar Complexion Collection in order to offer the luxury of choice – not only in terms of skincare and coverage, but also in terms of texture,” Prodromides says. He explains that the Skin Caviar Loose Powder meets the demand for a feather-like powder that makes sure everything stays in place right around the clock. “It’s the final step to set makeup for a flawless finish and long-lasting coverage,” he explains. “It illuminates the complexion and sets make-up for an all-day youthful, natural, shinefree finish.”
Some days call for a dewy, radiant finish, while others call for a more matte approach. So while Skin Caviar Essence-in-Foundation is perfect for boosting luminosity, the second new addition to the range, Skin Caviar Powder Foundation, has been created for those who prefer a matte finish.
“Skin Caviar Powder Foundation is more than a mere make-up product: it is the first powder foundation infused with Caviar Extract for complexion perfection,” Prodromides says.
“It offers a smooth, even and homogenous medium coverage, which is buildable. It blends smoothly onto the skin with a very natural matte yet luminous look – giving a smooth and creamy feel to the skin, without any dryness,” says Dr Jacqueline Hill, La Prairie’s director: strategic innovation and science.
Matte foundation formulas can often weigh down the skin, but Hill explains that the formulation has been expertly crafted to ensure a natural yet perfected complexion.
“La Prairie’s art of formulation is about selecting the perfect blend of textures, advanced pigments and active ingredients,” she says. “Thanks to the careful selection of specific oils – including a shea butter derivative – and advanced finely-blended pigments, we created a formula with an easy-toapply smooth and creamy texture that can be easily distributed and offers long-term coverage.”
Once applied, Hill explains that the foundation gives skin a refined look. “Fine lines and wrinkles, redness and pores appear minimised,” she says.
Likewise, Skin Caviar Loose Powder is also infused with all the skin-health-enhancing benefits of La Prairie’s renowned Caviar Extract. “It illuminates the complexion and sets make-up for an all-day youthful, natural and shine-free finish,” says Prodromides. To ensure you use the perfect amount of powder, the sleek packaging features a state-of-the-art closing system that prevents powder from coming out of the sieve.
BALANCING THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
While both formulations offer the immediacy of a flawless complexion through make-up artistry and unique innovation, Hill explains that the La Prairie team selected ingredients that provided both short- and long-term benefits for users.
“We included a blend of aminoacid treated pigments and soft-focus powder to conceal imperfections and even skin tone with a natural look – while offering a hydrating effect,” she says. The formulations also include moisturising hyaluronic acid, which helps skin retain water on its surface; shea butter; and La Prairie’s exclusive Cellular Complex. But it’s the iconic Caviar Extract that’s at the heart of the Complexion Collection. And it’s easy to understand why, given the caviar’s firming benefits.
“We introduced caviar into Skin Caviar Powder Foundation and Skin Caviar Loose Powder in view of our desire to enhance the treatment benefits of the products and extend the benefits of caviar into the makeup part of the routine,” says Hill. “The two innovations are hybrid products, offering both complexion and skincare benefits in one. Our Caviar Extract has been shown to support the skin cells’ production of collagen and ceramides – which are known to improve the skin’s resilience and its barrier function.”
La Prairie Skin Caviar Powder Foundation SPF15 ($315) and Skin Caviar Loose Powder ($315) are available now.
VISIT MiNDFOOD.COM If you’re finding yourself relying on your foundation to banish imperfections, it might be time to overhaul your skincare routine. Before you reach for your foundation, find out how to transform your complexion with our top tips. mindfood.com/top-skincare-tips