I have to admit, I am a real foundation fiend. I just can’t get enough of the stuff despite having an alarmingly large collection that will probably last me a lifetime. I love how transformative foundation is, and applying foundation every morning is a kind of meditation regime to me. Safe to say I am forever buying and hoarding new foundations (to my boyfriend’s dismay) and my recent acquisition is a rather good one.

Givenchy Teint Couture Balm just has so much going for it. It gives a coverage of a foundation, the plumping hydration of a tinted moisturiser, the smoothing effect of a primer, and the soft focus, luminous glow of a blur balm. According to Givenchy, Teint Couture Balm is formulated with Hydro Magnets Polymers, which lock in hydration and retain moisture at the skin’s surface. This not only keeps your complexion hydrated, but also gives your skin a beautiful luminous dewy effect.

Givenchy Teint Couture Balm has a soft velvety texture, not too watery and not too thick, that glides on easily and blends beautifully and seamlessly in to the skin. This is one foundation that applies beautifully with fingertips (making it a practical option for travel) but can also be used with a brush or a beauty blender for a more perfected finish. Because it has a moisturising and hydrating quality, Teint Couture Balm gives you plenty of time to blend and perfect your complexion before it sets, unlike other more drying foundation like Estee Lauder Double Wear, which literally sets within a few seconds.

The finish of Teint Couture Balm is absolutely stunning. It definitely softens and blurs any imperfections or fine lines and gives your skin that illusion of a very healthy smooth complexion. You also get that lovely subtle dewy glow to the skin (not shiny), which lasts absolutely the entire day,whilst keeping your skin feeling comfortable, weightless and hydrated. Although Givenchy describes Teint Couture Balm as having “more coverage than a BB cream, but less coverage than a foundation”, I have to disagree on that point. For me Teint Couture Balm has a decent medium coverage equal to a foundation and I’m as happy to wear it on a night out as I would on a casual day or over the weekends.

Some people say the packaging, which is a simple plastic tube, leaves much to be desired for such a high-end brand like Givenchy. But I personally love it because it is much more practical and convenient to travel with, or carrying around compare to something like a chunky glass bottle. All in all I am beyond impressed with this foundation and I can genuinely say it deserves a 10/10 for being absolutely flawless and ticking all the right boxes for a perfect foundation.