Luxury Meets Skincare: Testing the Valentino Beauty Pure Liquid Blush & Foundation

2

Let’s be honest. We all have that little daydream sometimes. You’re walking through a fancy department store. The air smells expensive. You see a beautiful counter filled with sleek, black packaging. It’s a luxury fashion brand, but they now make makeup. You pick up a product. It feels heavy and perfect in your hand. You wonder: “Is this just a pretty thing for my dressing table, or is it actually… amazing?”

That’s exactly how I felt when I first saw Valentino Beauty. Yes, that Valentino. The one with the gorgeous gowns and the rockstud heels. They’ve stepped into the world of beauty with their Very Valentino collection, and two products were calling my name: the Pure Liquid Blush and the Terre Foundation.

Also Read: Our Top 5 Farmacy Beauty Products For A Glowing, Healthy Skin Barrier

The promise is big: luxury makeup that also cares for your skin. But with price tags that make you gulp, it’s fair to ask: are you paying for the name, or for something truly special?

I decided to find out. For a full month, I made these products part of my daily routine. I put them through sunshine, rain, long workdays, and video calls. This is my honest, no-fuss review from a real person’s perspective. No fashion jargon, just straight talk.

First Impressions: The Unboxing Experience

When the parcel arrived, it already felt different. The box was weighty and elegant. Opening it was an event. This isn’t just shopping; it’s receiving a luxury item.

• The Packaging: The bottles are solid, heavy glass with sleek black lids. The iconic Valentino studs are etched around the cap of the blush. They look incredible on your vanity. They feel expensive. There’s no plastic in sight.
• The “Feel”: It instantly makes your daily makeup routine feel a bit more glamorous. You feel like you’re treating yourself.

But, of course, beautiful packaging is just the wrapping paper. Let’s see what’s inside.

Part 1: The Valentino Terre Foundation – A “Second Skin” Promise?

What They Say:

Valentino calls this a “skincare-foundation.” It promises a natural, “second skin” finish with a blurring effect, and it’s infused with skincare ingredients like Vitamin E and SPF 25. It’s meant to be buildable, from light to medium coverage.

The Shades & Finding Yours:

The shade range is good. It has over 40 shades with different undertones (cool, warm, neutral). This is important and shows they’ve thought about real people. The best way to find your match is to use the online finder tool on a retailer’s site like Space NK or get a sample in store at John Lewis.

I chose the shade 140N, a light shade with a neutral undertone. It was a great match for my fair, combination skin.

The Texture & Application:

The texture is unique. It’s not super runny, not thick. It’s a soft, moussey liquid. I tried it with three tools:

1. Fingers: Worked surprisingly well! It warmed up the product and gave a very light, skin-like finish.
2. A Dense Makeup Brush: Gave slightly more coverage but still looked natural.
3. A Damp Beauty Sponge (my favourite): This was the winner. It pressed the foundation in beautifully, leaving a perfected but undetectable finish. It looked like my skin, just better.

Wear Test: The Good, The Okay, & The Real

• Finish: It delivers on the “second skin” promise. It’s a gorgeous, natural satin finish. No heavy, cakey mask feeling. It blurs my pores nicely.
• Coverage: It’s light to medium. It evens out my redness and covers minor imperfections perfectly. If you have lots of blemishes, you’ll need concealer. For me, it’s the perfect “my skin but better” base.
• Skincare Feel: My skin did feel comfortable and moisturised all day. It didn’t cling to dry patches or feel tight.
• Longevity: This is where I had notes. On my combination skin (oily T-zone, dry cheeks), it lasted well for about 6-7 hours. By the end of a long day, my nose needed a little powder blot. It’s not a 12-hour, lockdown foundation. It’s a beautiful, elegant foundation for everyday life and special occasions.
• SPF 25: A fantastic bonus for daily wear, but remember, you still need a dedicated sunscreen underneath for proper protection.

Verdict on the Foundation: It’s a beautiful, luxurious product that does what it says. It won’t be for everyone who needs full, all-day coverage, but if you want a natural, skin-enhancing glow that feels like nothing on, it’s a dream.

Part 2: The Valentino Pure Liquid Blush – A Flush of Colour

What They Say:

This is a liquid blush that promises a “watercolour-like,” translucent flush of colour that blends seamlessly. It’s also packed with skincare ingredients, including Prickly Pear Oil for hydration.

The Shades:

They are stunning. From soft peaches and pinks (04 Coral Alchemy) to deep berries (08 Rosso Valentino). I chose 06 Pink Privilege, a bright, cheerful cool pink.

The Texture & Application:

A little goes a VERY long way. This is the most important tip. One tiny dot is enough for both cheeks. The texture is thin and watery, not creamy. This is why it blends like a dream.

How to use it (and not look like a clown!):

1. Shake the bottle well.
2. Put the tiniest dot on the back of your hand.
3. Use your finger or a stippling brush to pick up a tiny amount.
4. Smile and dab the colour onto the apples of your cheeks.
5. Quickly blend it outwards and upwards towards your temples using tapping motions.

The result is incredible. It melts into your foundation and looks like the colour is coming from within your skin. It’s not a powdery block of colour sitting on top.

Wear Test: Does It Last?

Yes, and beautifully. Because it stains the skin slightly, the colour stays put all day, even as the initial dewiness fades. It leaves a healthy, “I’ve just been for a walk” flush that lasts through meetings, coffee breaks, and everything else.

Verdict on the Blush: It is possibly the best liquid blush I have ever used. The blendability, the natural finish, and the staying power are exceptional. It’s foolproof once you learn to use a tiny amount.

The “Skincare” Claim: Is It Just Marketing?

This is a key question. Both products contain good ingredients.

• Foundation: Vitamin E (an antioxidant) and SPF.
• Blush: Prickly Pear Oil (hydrating and rich in fatty acids).

Do they replace your skincare? No. You still need your cleanser, moisturiser, and serum. But do they feel better on your skin than some other makeup? Absolutely. My skin never felt irritated, dry, or suffocated. At the end of the day, it washed off cleanly and my skin felt calm. So, while it’s not a treatment, it’s certainly a gentle, caring formula.

The Value Question: Are They Worth The Money?

Let’s talk numbers. The foundation is around £45, and the blush is about £35. This is a high-end, luxury price.

Are they worth it?

For the foundation: Maybe.

• Worth it if: You adore a natural finish, have dry or normal skin, and view foundation as a special part of your routine. It’s an investment in feeling glamorous.
• Think twice if: You need heavy, long-wearing coverage or are on a very tight budget. There are brilliant foundations at Boots for £15.

For the blush: A stronger YES.

• Why? The performance is unique. That watery, stain-like formula and the flawless blend are hard to find at any price. A bottle will last you over a year because you use so little. It feels like a special tool in your kit.

How to Make Them Work For You: Pro Tips

1. Prep Your Skin: Luxury makeup shows up dry patches. Use a good moisturiser. I love Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré as a base.
2. Use Less Than You Think: Especially with the blush. Start with a dot half the size of a pea.
3. Set Lightly: If you have oily areas, use a tiny bit of translucent powder only where you need it (like the T-zone). Don’t powder your whole face, or you’ll lose the gorgeous glow. Try the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder.
4. Tool Choice Matters: Use a damp sponge for the foundation and your fingers or a small stippling brush for the blush.

Final Thoughts: Luxury You Can Actually Feel

After a month of testing, I’m not just keeping these products on my shelf for show. I’m reaching for them.

The Valentino Terre Foundation is my new go-to for days when I want to look polished but natural—for dates, nice lunches, or just because I want to feel put-together. It’s a mood-booster.

The Valentino Pure Liquid Blush has earned a permanent spot in my daily routine. It’s that good. It makes me look healthy and awake in ten seconds.

So, is it just a pretty face? No. This is a luxury that you can feel in the application and see in the result. You’re paying for the name, yes, but also for thoughtful formulas, exquisite packaging, and a truly special user experience.

If you have the budget for one luxury makeup splurge this year, let it be the Pure Liquid Blush. It’s the product that, for me, makes the dream a reality.

Ready to explore the shades? You can find the full Valentino Beauty collection at:

• Space NK
• John Lewis
• Selfridges

FAQ: Your Valentino Beauty Very Valentino Questions Answered

1. Is the Valentino Terre Foundation truly full-coverage?
No, it is intentionally not a full-coverage foundation. It is designed as a light to medium, buildable coverage foundation with a “second skin” finish. Its primary goal is to even out skin tone, blur imperfections, and provide a natural, skin-like look rather than completely masking it. You can layer it slightly to cover redness or minor blemishes, but for significant discolouration or acne, you will need a dedicated concealer. It’s ideal for those seeking a perfected, “my skin but better” aesthetic.

2. How does the “skincare-infused” claim actually translate on the skin?
The skincare benefits are more about comfort, compatibility, and skin health support than active anti-ageing treatment. Ingredients like Vitamin E (an antioxidant) in the foundation and Prickly Pear Oil (rich in hydrating fatty acids) in the blush are chosen for their non-irritating, nourishing properties. In practice, this means the formulas are less likely to clog pores, cause dryness, or irritate sensitive skin. They feel lightweight and comfortable to wear all day and should remove cleanly without stripping the skin. They complement your skincare but do not replace your serum or moisturiser.

3. I have oily skin. Will these products make me look greasy and slide off?
For oily skin types, strategic application is key. The foundation has a natural satin finish, which can accentuate oil over time. Recommendations for oily skin:

• Prep: Use a mattifying primer only in your T-zone.
• Application: Use a damp beauty sponge to press the foundation in, avoiding excess product.
• Set: Use a light, translucent setting powder (like the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder) only on oily areas.
• Blush: The liquid blush sets to a stain-like finish, so it fares better with oil. Apply it before powdering.
  The foundation may require blotting after 5-6 hours on very oily skin, as it’s not formulated for extreme oil control.

4. What’s the best way to apply the Pure Liquid Blush to avoid looking streaky or overdone?
The secret is in its watery texture and using a minimal amount. The foolproof method is:

1. Shake the bottle vigorously.
2. Place a single, tiny dot (smaller than a pea) on the back of your hand.
3. Using your ring finger or a small, dense stippling brush, pick up a fraction of that dot.
4. Smile to find the apples of your cheeks and dab the product on.
5. Immediately, using tapping or stippling motions (not swiping), blend the edges upwards and outwards towards your temples.
   The goal is to work quickly and blend the edges seamlessly into your foundation before the formula sets.

5. Does the SPF 25 in the foundation provide enough sun protection for daily use?
While SPF 25 is a valuable addition, it is not sufficient for dedicated sun protection. The amount of foundation you apply is far less than the recommended 1/4 teaspoon needed for the stated SPF to be effective. You should always apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen as the final step of your skincare routine, before makeup. Think of the foundation’s SPF as a small bonus layer of protection, not your primary defence.

6. How do the shades of the Terre Foundation run (light/dark, warm/cool)?
The Terre Foundation shade range is extensive and generally true to tone. It uses a clear numbering system where lower numbers are lighter and higher numbers are deeper. The letter indicates undertone: C for Cool (pink/red), N for Neutral, W for Warm (yellow/gold). It’s advisable to use online shade-matching tools, but the best method is to get a sample or get matched in person at a counter like those in John Lewis or Space NK. The neutral (N) shades are particularly well-balanced.

7. Are these products suitable for mature skin?
Yes, they can be excellent choices for mature skin, thanks to their skincare-infused, hydrating formulas. The lightweight, non-drying textures avoid settling into fine lines and wrinkles, which heavier, matte products can do. The natural, luminous finish of the foundation helps reflect light, giving skin a more youthful, plump appearance. The liquid blush, when applied correctly, provides a fresh, lifting flush without emphasizing texture. The key is meticulous skin prep with a good moisturiser and using a light hand.

8. What is the staying power like for a long workday or special event?
The longevity is good for a natural-finish foundation. On normal to dry skin, it can last a full 8-hour workday with minimal fading. On combination/oily skin, you can expect 5-7 hours before some shine breakthrough or fading in the T-zone, necessitating a quick blot or powder touch-up. It is not a “24-hour” or “transfer-proof” formula; it is designed to wear gracefully rather than immovably. For a long event, setting with powder and using a setting spray like Urban Decay All Nighter will extend its wear.

9. Is the luxury price tag justified compared to high-street favourites?
The justification depends on what you value. You are paying for:

• Superior Formula & Finish: The unique, skin-like blend of coverage and care.
• Luxury Experience: The weighty packaging, tactile pleasure, and brand heritage.
• Ingredient Quality: Higher concentrations of beneficial skincare ingredients and refined textures.
  A high-street foundation may offer similar coverage, but it often won’t replicate the specific natural, blurring finish and skin-comfort of the Valentino formula. For many, it’s a worthwhile splurge for a special feel and result; for others, a drugstore dupe will suffice.

10. Can I use the Pure Liquid Blush on my lips or eyelids?
While the formula is gentle, it is not officially marketed or tested as a lip or eye product. The Prickly Pear Oil is skin-friendly, but the pigments may not be approved for the lip area (where you might ingest trace amounts) or the delicate eye area. For a monochromatic look, it’s safer to use dedicated products. However, some makeup artists do use cream blushes on the lips for a coordinated stain—if you try this, do so minimally and at your own discretion, ensuring you have no sensitivities.