Le Metier de Beaute Classic Flawless Foundation - AAAAH MY EYES!

This foundation costs £45. (Just had to put that out there right away. Take a moment to absorb the shock, and I'll continue with the review.)

Le Metier is one of the most aspirational beauty brands around at the moment. Their reputation and exclusivity (they're only available at Liberty in the UK and Neiman Marcus in the US) along with their sumptuous shades and sleek, serious packaging have helped them achieve their position as a status-symbol purchase.

I'll be honest, it was partly this sense of elite exclusivity that convinced me to part with £45 for just less than 30ml of goop in a weighty glass pump bottle. I was probably feeling a bit "hey I'm worth it!" consumer brainwashed.

It was also the fact that I wanted a perfectly matching and totally reliable product for the occasions where I decide I need the extra level of made-up-ness that a good foundation provides.

Flawless Foundation contains Hyaluronic Acid, a plumping/hydrating skincare ingredient that's currently en vogue. That might be the reason it applies so well, sinking into the skin like a lightweight moisturiser and leaving no visible excess. The pump dispenses almost exactly the right amount for a full face, so nothing is wasted. (Which at the price, is a very good thing.)

Coverage is light to medium. Here's a couple of pictures to illustrate - the black eyeliner mark is there as a control.

It doesn't quite match my hand, there, but on my face it's spot on. So far so good.

BUT! I don't like using this foundation, and I won't be repurchasing. Why? Because if this stuff gets anywhere near my eyes, it stings like crazy. I didn't realise until I got this how easily foundation can get into the eyes, especially when blending around dark circles. Every time I've worn this, it's been totally game over for my eye makeup, thanks to the stinging and watering caused by me getting the Le Met in my eyes.

Verdict - could have been a Holy Grail, but sadly more of a Poisoned Chalice. I'll stick with the lovely Kaleidoscope palettes from Le Metier in future.