I Tried the Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Creams Parisians Are Obsessed With
Flick is Adore Beauty’s Creative Copywriter. She started her writing career covering women’s sports and interviewing musicians and can often be found photographing gigs on the side. She’s no stranger to a rotating skincare cabinet and is currently on the lookout for a skincare routine that caters to redness, sensitivity and texture. She also used to complain when her mum would tell her to wear sunscreen and for that, she'd like to publicly apologise
Embryolisse is an iconic French brand that’s absolutely beloved by beauty enthusiasts.
If you’re someone who has the occasional makeup artist pop up on your feed you’ll recognise the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturiser – a creamy moisturiser that can triple as a masque, cleanser and primer and an absolute kit must-have.
Although I’m very familiar with the multi-hyphenate powers of the above, I must admit, I was pretty confused when I stumbled across the Rose and Apricot Glow products from their Radiant Complexion Cream range, ‘Is it a colour corrector?’, ‘Is it a primer?’, ‘Is it a blush?’.
I had many questions about the colourful creams that lay before me, but after a month of testing – I’ve gotten to the bottom of it, and I’ve found my new favourite primer while doing so!
Get to Know Embryolisse.
Embryolisse is a dermatologist-founded French brand that’s all about creating simple skincare to help people achieve that super chic (and utterly calculated) ‘I just rolled out of bed’ look made famous by rom-coms.
Their products are designed to be multifunctional (a win for the minimalists!) and made to get you out the door in as few steps as possible.
The Radiant Complexion Cream Range is advertised as ‘anti-fatigue skincare’, it adds a very slight flush of colour to your skin that’s meant to wake your skin up while hydrating it.
Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream - Apricot Glow.
First up is the Apricot Glow Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream - Apricot Glow 30ml
Its warmish, golden-orange tone is formulated to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of dark circles.
It’s a lightweight, gel-cream moisturiser with hyaluronic acid for hydration and nasturtium flower extract for a little antioxidant boost.
The idea is to apply this as a standalone moisturiser and let the slight flush of apricot even out any darkness in the skin, or use it as a primer to add an extra layer of hydration and glow under your makeup routine.
My Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream Apricot Glow Review.
Texture and application:
The Apricot Glow Cream has a thin, smooth, texture that glides onto the skin. It absorbs pretty quickly and leaves behind a luminous finish that’s more dewy than greasy. It has a cooling sensation when applied.
One thing I will note is that it is fragranced. It has a gorgeous fresh floral scent and while it didn’t sting, I wouldn’t reach for it if I were suffering from an impaired barrier.
The thin consistency also allows it to sit well under makeup, but more on that down below.
Results and performance:
This is the new favourite primer by the way – when applied, the cream gives the skin a subtle warmth.
The apricot hue is daunting, but it sheers out very quickly.
When blended, it mimics a very slight tan and brightens up the skin. The wash of colour did neutralise the blue in the skin under my eyes a little bit.
Now, I have a very pale, cool-toned complexion and unless I could slather this over every bit of visible skin, I probably wouldn’t wear it out alone, the apricot hue pulls a little too warm for my liking.
I think this would be beautiful on warm skin tones – it gives a subtle illumination and a sun-kissed glow that would settle well into those who are on the warmer side.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause for the cooler-toned humans because as I mentioned before, it’s a seriously wonderful primer.
The formula was hydrating without causing everything to slip off and my makeup stayed in place (and luminous) all day long.
My makeup in the photo was concealer, lip liner, and a bit of blush, I’ve got dry skin and don’t use powder that often, but I did try layering powder over the top and it didn’t cake.
Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream - Rose Glow.
Next, we turn our attention to the Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream - Rose Glow 50Ml
This version of the Radiant Complexion Cream is a pot of rosy radiance!
It’s hydrating and contains silk tree extract, sunflower seed oil, hyaluronic acid and shea butter to ensure your skin is left plump and hydrated.
The pink hue is intimidating – I genuinely thought it was some sort of blush hybrid when I opened the jar, but I can assure you it blends out beautifully and leaves behind a sheer flush.
My Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream Rose Glow Review.
Texture and application:
The Rose Glow Cream shares a similar texture with its Apricot counterpart just slightly thicker.
The product is housed in a jar – a very sleek, fancy jar that made me feel like a very sleek, fancy lady – and it kind of looks like a body butter.
It’s creamy, light, and blends out beautifully. Instead of having a gel-like texture similar to the apricot version, the shea butter gives the formula a bit more weight and allows it to melt into the skin upon application.
Although it’s made as a complexion booster, primer, or daytime moisturiser a few of the reviewers on the product page said they used it successfully as a night moisturiser and woke up with glowy skin.
It also has a rose scent (on theme), so move cautiously if you’re sensitive to fragrance!
Results and performance:
I was worried the Embryolisse rose glow would make my blush-prone skin overwhelmingly pink but it was a winner! It brightened up my complexion and gave it a natural-looking flush.
The result was very awake and summery – like what I wish I looked like after a hot yoga class instead of the tomato-faced reality (hey, still cute though).
It’s fresh, and radiant, and works well as a standalone complexion enhancer!
I also loved patting a bit on my upper décolletage (when talking French skincare, one must use the word décolletage) and the tops of my shoulders to bring together the look, usually, I use a little blush but this worked perfectly.
If you are using it alone, make sure to blend it out of your eyebrow hair otherwise they may end up a tad pink.
In true Embryolisse fashion, it was also a great primer and my skin stayed fresh and dewy and my makeup didn’t crease. I also found that I used less foundation and concealer whenever I used either product as a primer.
Final Verdict.
The Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream range is a sneaky rising star – I feel like I’m one step closer to meeting my no-makeup-makeup effortlessly French alter ego.
Au revoir!!
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