Chanel have a new foundation out now in Australia, which is part of their Les Beiges range and it is called the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation SPF 25 / PA++. It was released about the same time as their L.A. Sunrise Collection for Spring 2016 - so in the beginning of January. So, I've been testing it since.
Chanel describes their new product as:
"An invisible foundation that creates a natural healthy glow by giving skin the radiance of a day spent outdoors, while protecting it from harsh environmental conditions."
Packaging
The foundation comes in a glass bottle, which while isn't the most practical for travel, feels luxuriously hefty and looks gorgeous on your dressing table. The cap clicks securely into place. The interlocking Cs of the Chanel logo are in beige, of course - to tie in with the rest of the Les Beiges range. It's simple, yet elegant - typical Chanel.
The foundation comes with a convenient and hygienic pump dispenser. Unlike some pumps, this one gives a small amount rather than too much to begin with, which prevents wastage. I find just a single pump is sufficient to get the medium coverage I like for my entire face.
Below is the shade number label at the bottom of the foundation bottle.
Shades
There are currently 8 available shades in Australia: No. 10, 20, 21, 22 Rosé, 30, 40, 50 and 60. Beware when trying to shade match in store as I found that the shades when first applied appear lighter than normal in other Chanel foundations. However, after 20-30 mins of application, the colour does turn a much warmer and darker - maybe two shades darker even. I don't know if this is just on my skin that it oxidises, or perhaps what is intended by the product as it does claim to give your skin a "radiance of a day outdoors". If it is the latter, then I can definitely confirm that it does!
I found the No. 30, 40 and 50 are lighter than those in the same shade for other Chanel foundation ranges. I noticed this as these are the three shades I have used before (but, in most Chanel foundations I am either a No. 30 in winter and a No. 40 in summer - except for Chanel's Vitalumiere Powder Foundation which runs a shade darker than normal - I use a No. 40 and 50 in that range). I suspect the other shades in the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation are lighter than normal, too. My skin currently has a summer tan and was initially matched to shade No. 50 in store, but I found this ended up looking darker, muddy and much warmer on me after 20-30 minutes, so I've switched it for No. 40. The same thing happened with No. 40 - it initially looks a shade lighter on my current tanned skin (lighter than the usual No. 40 in other Chanel foundations), but after a while, it turns a couple of shades darker so it even looks a shade darker than my neck and the rest of my body. It's also much warmer as if I'd been out in the sun the entire day!! Or as if I've had a tan or applied bronzer all over my face. LOL. The only other time I've looked like that in my life was after honeymooning in the Maldives. Ha! It has a slight beige pink undertone to it mimicking a sun kissed effect. So, if this effect is all intentional, then I would almost say this product is unique and I wouldn't classify it as your typical foundation. It's like a foundation with a fake tan in it! I am naturally tanned so I don't need this effect.
So, I would highly recommend you try this foundation first for the entire day or at least an hour to see how it looks on you. If you experience the same thing as I did AND you want to have a tone-on-tone effect that matches your skin, then I recommend you get a couple of shades lighter than what you are initially matched to, or if you know your normal Chanel foundation shade, get a shade lighter (e.g. if you are normally a No. 40 then get No. 30). Otherwise, if you want that tanned look, then get your usual shade and you will find that even though it looks much lighter when first applied, it will turn a couple of shades darker after 20-30 mins. In hindsight I should have purchased the No. 30, but then again this foundation isn't really suitable for my dry, dehydrated skin type anyway!
There are currently 8 available shades in Australia: No. 10, 20, 21, 22 Rosé, 30, 40, 50 and 60. Beware when trying to shade match in store as I found that the shades when first applied appear lighter than normal in other Chanel foundations. However, after 20-30 mins of application, the colour does turn a much warmer and darker - maybe two shades darker even. I don't know if this is just on my skin that it oxidises, or perhaps what is intended by the product as it does claim to give your skin a "radiance of a day outdoors". If it is the latter, then I can definitely confirm that it does!
I found the No. 30, 40 and 50 are lighter than those in the same shade for other Chanel foundation ranges. I noticed this as these are the three shades I have used before (but, in most Chanel foundations I am either a No. 30 in winter and a No. 40 in summer - except for Chanel's Vitalumiere Powder Foundation which runs a shade darker than normal - I use a No. 40 and 50 in that range). I suspect the other shades in the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation are lighter than normal, too. My skin currently has a summer tan and was initially matched to shade No. 50 in store, but I found this ended up looking darker, muddy and much warmer on me after 20-30 minutes, so I've switched it for No. 40. The same thing happened with No. 40 - it initially looks a shade lighter on my current tanned skin (lighter than the usual No. 40 in other Chanel foundations), but after a while, it turns a couple of shades darker so it even looks a shade darker than my neck and the rest of my body. It's also much warmer as if I'd been out in the sun the entire day!! Or as if I've had a tan or applied bronzer all over my face. LOL. The only other time I've looked like that in my life was after honeymooning in the Maldives. Ha! It has a slight beige pink undertone to it mimicking a sun kissed effect. So, if this effect is all intentional, then I would almost say this product is unique and I wouldn't classify it as your typical foundation. It's like a foundation with a fake tan in it! I am naturally tanned so I don't need this effect.
So, I would highly recommend you try this foundation first for the entire day or at least an hour to see how it looks on you. If you experience the same thing as I did AND you want to have a tone-on-tone effect that matches your skin, then I recommend you get a couple of shades lighter than what you are initially matched to, or if you know your normal Chanel foundation shade, get a shade lighter (e.g. if you are normally a No. 40 then get No. 30). Otherwise, if you want that tanned look, then get your usual shade and you will find that even though it looks much lighter when first applied, it will turn a couple of shades darker after 20-30 mins. In hindsight I should have purchased the No. 30, but then again this foundation isn't really suitable for my dry, dehydrated skin type anyway!
Swatches of All Shades
My favourite Chanel rep at at my local Myer store was kind enough to swatch all the shades on her arm for me to take photos of. For reference, she has lighter skin than me - I think she's usually matched to a No. 20, but No. 30 for this new Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation. Apologies for the lower quality as I took these using my phone camera. Please also note that these were photographed under store lighting.
Swatches of No. 40
Below are swatches of No. 40 photographed indoors with a proper camera and a strobe.
Application
Chanel recommend that fingertips be used for application and I find this works well indeed. Similar to the application and use of the Les Beiges Powder (reviewed here and here), you can choose one shade lighter for radiance, a matching shade for an "imperceptible result", or a darker shade for a more sun-kissed effect. Again, beware of the change in shade after a while as mentioned.
Consistency, Coverage, Finish, Texture & Feel
This foundation has a liquid to cream-like consistency so it's not runny, but it's not too thick/rich or heavy. It gives a sheer coverage, but I find it is also buildable to a medium coverage. Although, it starts off looking a little matte upon first application, after a few minutes it does leave the skin with a healthy, glowy finish. Actually, the very first time I tried this I was surprised at how matte it felt and looked on my already dry skin. I expected and hoped it was going to feel more moisturising and dewy even! There is no detectable shimmer. It just looks like natural skin with a healthy, youthful-looking sheen. It also appears to have a soft focus effect, too so great if you need to blur out any imperfections you might have. It dries down completely so there's no dewiness or leaves the skin feeling wet or tacky. So, if you have oily or combination skin, this will most likely feel comfortable for you. Dry / dehydrated skins like mine will definitely need to moisturise well beforehand and even mix the foundation with a bit of moisturiser. I also found it a bit drying throughout the day most likely due to the alcohol content (see ingredients below) and it was helpful to spritz my face with the Chantecaille Pure Rosewater (it's what I'm currently using at the moment to help refresh and rehydrate the skin - it's lovely, but expensive! ;)). Overall, it does feel lightweight on the skin.
Longevity
I do find this does not last as long as some of my favourite foundations. It's noticeably faded by the evening and my skin more glowy, particularly around my "T-zone" (typically where I produce more oil throughout the day) and any other areas that gets touched (by baby!) like my cheeks. This is on my dry skin and without use of a primer. I'd say its lasting power is probably similar to that of Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation on me. So overall, it's OK for everyday, but I wouldn't choose this for a day when I knew I had to go out for the evening as well and need that extra lasting power, or for a special occasion.
Size
Contains the standard 30 ml / 1 fl. oz for liquid foundations.
Scent
This has a fairly strong perfume scent (similar to the rest of the Les Beiges powder), so those with sensitive noses will need to test this out in store first.
Ingredients
Click on above image to enlarge.
Overall
I adore the Les Beiges range, so I was very excited for this new foundation to come out and given Chanel foundations are among my favourite I had high expectations for this one. I was hoping that this "healthy glow" foundation would feel more nourishing and have a more dewy finish, so I'm very surprised and let down in that regard, especially for someone with dry, dehydrated skin. Nonetheless, I'm sure those with combination to oily skin types will enjoy this if you're looking for a lightweight foundation with sheer to medium coverage. From my experience, I believe the "healthy glow" effect is really the sun-tanned look it gives rather than the traditional "lit from within" / healthy sheen look. From that perspective, then I definitely see this product as one of a kind and worth checking out, but it may be tricky trying to find a shade that suits the effect you want given it changes after a while.
Have you tried this foundation? Did you experience the same colour change as I did? Let me know what you think! :)
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Longevity
I do find this does not last as long as some of my favourite foundations. It's noticeably faded by the evening and my skin more glowy, particularly around my "T-zone" (typically where I produce more oil throughout the day) and any other areas that gets touched (by baby!) like my cheeks. This is on my dry skin and without use of a primer. I'd say its lasting power is probably similar to that of Chanel Vitalumière Aqua Foundation on me. So overall, it's OK for everyday, but I wouldn't choose this for a day when I knew I had to go out for the evening as well and need that extra lasting power, or for a special occasion.
Size
Contains the standard 30 ml / 1 fl. oz for liquid foundations.
Scent
This has a fairly strong perfume scent (similar to the rest of the Les Beiges powder), so those with sensitive noses will need to test this out in store first.
Ingredients
Click on above image to enlarge.
Overall
I adore the Les Beiges range, so I was very excited for this new foundation to come out and given Chanel foundations are among my favourite I had high expectations for this one. I was hoping that this "healthy glow" foundation would feel more nourishing and have a more dewy finish, so I'm very surprised and let down in that regard, especially for someone with dry, dehydrated skin. Nonetheless, I'm sure those with combination to oily skin types will enjoy this if you're looking for a lightweight foundation with sheer to medium coverage. From my experience, I believe the "healthy glow" effect is really the sun-tanned look it gives rather than the traditional "lit from within" / healthy sheen look. From that perspective, then I definitely see this product as one of a kind and worth checking out, but it may be tricky trying to find a shade that suits the effect you want given it changes after a while.
Have you tried this foundation? Did you experience the same colour change as I did? Let me know what you think! :)
DO NOT REPUBLISH CONTENT OR PHOTOS WITHOUT PERMISSION