Confession: I Had Never Tried These Cult Embryolisse Products Until Now
Nikki is a writer, former makeup artist, and Communications Specialist at Adore Beauty. She kicked off her writing career at Fashion Journal, penning beauty articles and interviewing musicians she’d still name-drop seven years later. In 2023, she made a very big and bold career leap (writing about fashion instead of beauty). Now, she’s come full circle – but still loves to think outside the box.
In Partnership With Embryolisse
I love early November. Christmas lists are still thought-starters, and every slightly indulgent purchase I make can be justified in the name of sale.
After all, you can’t spell gift without ‘i’.
Ahead of the holiday rush, us beauty writers have been busy testing, reviewing and recommending products with pretty good reputations. And when I think universally loved, I think French pharmacy brand Embryolisse.
I’ll be honest: I hadn’t tried a single Embryolisse product until now. I can’t tell you which rock I’d been living under, but I have emerged with some thoughts and new makeup (!!) favourites.
Let’s get into it.
Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
You’ve probably heard the name, and you’ve probably read the glowing reviews (including ours here).
This cult 5-in-1 cream has been used and loved by makeup artists and beauty editors forever, so I’m very late to the party. Still, it’s nice to be invited.
For its overachieving list of uses (face moisturiser, body moisturiser, primer, mask, even makeup remover), I’d place this in the desert island category. You could technically live without it, but if given the option, you’d rather take it with you somewhere dry.
I used this morning and night – both as a makeup primer and night cream – and I totally get the hype.
It’s lightweight yet deeply moisturising, radiance-boosting but not greasy. My skin felt soft and comfortable.
Makeup glided on and didn’t cling to dry patches, ‘cause there weren’t any.
I enjoyed the light floral scent, but there is a fragrance-free version that means strictly business.
I’ll probably stick to cleansing balms and oils for removing makeup, but good to know it’s there for you at the best of times (full access to your skincare collection) and the worst of times (nothing but your boyfriend’s post-shave cream).
Corrective & Complexion Creams
Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream
In an era of skin tints and sheer foundations, I kind of forgot about the tried-and-true CC cream. So when these Embryolisse products launched, I felt nostalgic over a specific time in high school when we’d all found a loophole to the ‘no makeup’ rule. It’s moisturiser, actually.
The Radiant Complexion Cream is exactly that – a hydrating gel-cream moisturiser with a subtle tint to give your skin a healthy-looking glow. It arrives in two shades:
- Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream - Rose Glow 50Ml = a sheer pink for a radiant finish
- Embryolisse Radiant Complexion Cream - Apricot Glow 30ml = a sheer peach for added warmth
Apricot Glow is the newest iteration, formulated with nasturtium flower extract and hyaluronic acid to help plump skin, deeply moisturise, and reduce puffiness under the eyes.
So, I set out to test it on a gloomy morning after too much iPad-in-bed time the night before.
See: my tired face (pictured).
The difference is subtle (it’s a CC cream, after all) but it’s there.
There was no sunlight streaming in to do the heavy lifting either. Just a subtle peach tint to help counteract the blueish circles under my eyes and make my face look a little more awake.
Embryolisse SOS Corrective Cream
Next up, the SOS Corrective Cream.
I’ve been using Korean and Japanese skincare pretty consistently over the last year, so I’m not really dealing with a lot of redness or irritation. Luckily, not everything is about me!
If you’re looking for a moisturiser that evens out your skin tone and helps reduce redness over time, this is probably right up your alley.
It’s packed with green pigments to neutralize any red – thanks, colour theory – and lotus flower extract to calm the skin.
Its sheer formula means you can’t really go overboard, but a little does go a long way.
Embryolisse Color Balm 3-In-1 Stick
When a skincare brand launches makeup, it usually comes with skincare benefits.
So it’s not surprising to see centella asiatica on the ingredients list for Embryolisse’s new 3-in-1 balm.
The main perk?
You can use this moisturising colour stick on your eyes, cheeks and lips.
It’s designed for quick and effortless application, so the colour payoff is sheer but buildable. Exactly what you want from a versatile balm that’s made for on-the-go. Less precise, more Parisian.
Will it last through to after-work drinks? Probably not. But it’s tiny handbag-friendly and easy to apply after three margaritas. Without a mirror, if you’re a pro.
The shades offer a nice variety (a soft nude-pink, cool-toned raspberry, warm mocha and bright red), but the real test will be trying them on different skin tones.
My vice is a bright pink à la Sabrina Carpenter, so Raspberry Pink is in my current rotation.
If you’re not trying to channel a short and sweet pop star, Intense Mocha seems like the crowd favourite.
Read more of our Embryolisse reviews below:
