La Roche-Posay Toleriane Teint Compact Foundation review
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Teint Compact Foundation – my review :
La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Teint Compact Foundation (RRP £14.50-18.50 for 9g) is a cream formula for hyper-sensitive skin types who need coverage for anything from acne to scarring or under-eye circles. This would also appeal to anyone who just wants a break from their normal foundation, thanks to its minimal ingredients list!
I personally have very reactive skin, so I’m always on the look-out for gentle foundation. I fancied a break from mineral make-up and wanted something that felt a bit more nourishing, so thought I’d give this a go! There are so many things to say about this foundation, so prepare for lots of headings…
The Packaging
Starting with the basics, the packaging of this foundation is fantastic. It has a mirror and compartment underneath to store the super-soft sponge that it comes with, making this great for travel and touch-ups. Its simple white design also reflects its minimal-ingredients, super-nourishing approach to cosmetics.
| Ingredients list (click image to expand) |
The Application
The sponge is actually great quality, which is impressive seeing as it’s a ‘secondary’ product. It really is super-soft and really thick, making it perfect for hyper-sensitivity. The only problem is when it comes to the nose, as it’s not great for getting into those corners. I preferred a brush application (using No. 7’sfoundation brush), as it allowed for more control and the foundation seemed to sit better overall.
The Longevity
I was really impressed with the staying power of this foundation – I’ve previously reviewed the Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation which has the same sort of aim as La Roche-Posay, but found my skin became very oily by the end of the day. With this product, I wasn’t worrying about slippage and found that for your standard 8-hour day this holds up really well.
The Coverage
This foundation boasts 30% coated pigments, which means that a little goes a long way and allows you to keep a natural finish. It also layers fairly well on concentrated areas, so you may well be able to ditch the concealer. When I opened the compact, I was sure this would run out within 2 weeks. I used it everyday for over month, plus a few times a week for a further month (that’s the beauty blogger in me getting bored), and I still have half the product left!
However, I would say that this isn’t one of those flawless evening foundations, and I personally have been using different foundations for nights out. I do think that this would hold up well enough, but it doesn’t photograph brilliantly under flash because of the SPF. It also is certainly not the best on the market for that smooth-skin effect (and doesn’t claim to be), so this sits very comfortably in the daytime category.
The Sensitive Skin Criteria
Fragrance-free, alcohol-free, paraben-free, SPF 25-35 depending on how much you use… tick tick tick! If you’re worried about breakouts or reacting to your foundation, this has to be one of the safest bets after mineral make-up.
The Shades
This is the real downfall for La Roche-Posay: it only comes in four shades, all for light-medium skin types. For porcelain skin, the Ivory shade would be too yellow. From the photo below you can see this looks far too yellow for my skin, but on application the foundation does seem to even out somewhat. The product doesn’t cater at all for black or Asian skin types, which is unfortunately fairly typical of French cosmetics lines.
| La Roche-Posay Toleriane Teint Compact in Ivory |
The Availability
UK residents are probably going to have to order this one online, so you unfortunately can’t check the shade first. It’s available at Escentual for £15.70 or Life and Looks for £12.90, but neither stock the Ivory shade. The only site I’ve found that does is Le Guide Sante at £13.63 – I ordered from there and was very happy with the service.
The Verdict?
I wouldn’t particularly recommend this for evening wear, and it’s a shame about the poor shade selection. On the positive side, this is an affordable and reliable daytime option for sensitive skin, and a good alternative to mineral make-up. Personally, I’d consider repurchasing.
Have you tried any cosmetics by La Roche-Posay or similar skincare brands – any recommendations?
