Touche Éclat - Yeah, We Can Do That

The iconic Yves Saint Laurents' Touche Éclat is often referred to as the 'one make-up product no woman should be without'. Many professional make-up artists and models swear by it, and to be fair, it's been around for so long that it has definitely earned itself a spot on the 'withstands the test of time' shelf.

What's So Special About it?

Ever since it was first introduced in 1991, Touche Éclat has continually gotten rave reviews for its 'ability to deflect light and attention from problem areas'. Described as a 'radiance boosting highlighter pen', this little magic wand 'whisks away dark circles, fine lines, and signs of fatigue with a few strategic strokes'.

I'm amazed. I'm enthralled. I'm totally curious.

But I'm not buying it.

Instead...

I'll Make my Own, Thank You Very Much

Not only that, I'm going to show you how to make your own too (cuz I'm that kind of gal). You do not have to be an expert make-up maker either. This will not be difficult – promise!

But before we get started, let's take a quick look at what's inside this wonder-pen if we are to have a halfway decent chance of doing our own version. I don't normally dissect commercial brand cosmetics 'in public', but in order to understand what we are making, we need to go into a bit of detail.

What's Inside That Gold Container?

Here is the ingredients list in descending order with a super short description of the (probable) function of each ingredient.
Aqua = WATER (carrier/base)
Cyclomethicone = SILICONE  (aids spreading and delivery of other ingredients)
Glycerin = GLYCERINE  (Humectant)
Talc = TALCUM POWDER (base for pigments, perhaps partially also thickener)
Paraffinum Liquidum = MINERAL OIL (carrier/base)
PEG/ PPG-18/18 Dimethicone = SILICONE (anti-caking, stabilizing, barrier forming)
Magnesium sulphate = EPSOM SALT (perhaps inflammation-reducing)
Trideceth-3  = (emulsifier)
Methicone = SILICONE (barrier forming)
Methylparaben = (preservative) 
Squalane = (olive-oil based 'moisturizer-plus'. As this is listed after the preservative, it is less than 1% of the product)

So far, there is nothing in here to whisk away dark circles or fine lines. There is a slight possibilty that there is some radiance boosting to be had from one or more of the silicones, but I doubt it is enough to do any real magic. What we have is an emulsion (lotion/cream) that will stay where it is put and feel smooth on the skin – but that's about it. One could discuss the different ingredient choices, but then again, we're talking about a product that (to my knowledge) has had nothing but rave reviews since it hit the market. Petro-chemicals or not, whoever formulated this product did a bang-up job. 

So Where's The Magic Hiding?

It isn't until we get to the MAY CONTAIN part of the ingredients list that we find the ingredient that is whisking away dark circles and deflecting light and attention from problem areas.

Are you ready?

It's listed as C1 77891

C1 77891 is otherwise known as Titanium Dioxide.

Titanium dioxide is safe and effective as all get out for deflecting light and covering up dark circles. It's also such a superb sun block you will find in almost every sunscreen. As a matter of fact, every make-up that advertises an SPF can do so because of its titanium dioxide content.

Super Short Rant

I find it deceptive that they list titanium dioxide under the 'may contain' part of their ingredients list. May contain? Let's be honest here: DEFINITELY CONTAINS OR THERE'S NO RADIANCE BOOSTING MAGIC TO BE HAD! Harrrumph!
(end of super short rant)

Shall We Continue?

Here are the rest of the 'may contain' ingredients – pigments
CI 77019 MICA
CI 77492, CI 77491, CI 77499 IRON OXIDES
CI 77007 ULTRAMARINES
CI 77510 FERRIC FERROCYANIDE
CI 77742 MANGANESE VIOLET
CI 75470 CARMINE
NF8897 (not sure what this one is)

So Now We Know

Now that we've dissected the ingredients of Touche Éclat, I'll show you how to do your very own next time. It may not have a super fancy gold dispenser (which, admittedly, is to-almost-die-for-luxurious), but I'll bet my best boots the contents will work just as well – and quite honestly, my best boots are right up there with the best of them.

Stay tuned.

PS. Looking for how-to's on doing your own make-up? Check the Make-up posts under Topics on the right side of the page for a bit of inspiration.