Chanel’s online site now has its new Vitalumiere Aqua online for sale, and I understand that it’s appearing at several Nordstrom locations. Late last week, I got a few colors to try out the line. Although I don’t have the range I would have preferred to select (I want them all!!), I’m doing my best to get you quick information as I receive it.
I got three colors: B20 Beige, B30 Beige and BA30 Beige Rose. I know, I was confused too (I was hoping for B10, BA10, and BA20 but here we are). Swatches, compared to some of my current foundations for comparison: Chanel Tient Innocence in 20 Clair Cameo, Chanel Lift Lumiere in 14 Ivoire and Burberry Sheer Foundation No. 4:
Another:
Generally, I enjoyed Vitalumiere Aqua. I have the following thoughts:
- There is a scent–a very expensive sunscreen-type scent. It fades after about 1/2 hour
- Coverage is medium. Vitalumiere Aqua seems to provide more coverage than Chanel Tient Innocence and Burberry Sheer. It is about the same as Chanel Lift Lumiere. It is not as heavy as Pro Lumiere.
- Let the foundation dry before you judge it’s color. Honestly, wait at least five minutes before you commit to a color. There is a color shift that happens as the foundation settles into your skin.
- Although B20 looks dark in the swatch, it actually looked pretty nice on my MAC NC15 skin tone (Liz confirmed it, and she can be quite honest! Trust me!) Unfortunately, I did not have a B10 sample to compare it but I’m working on it.
- Like several other Chanel foundations, the foundation tends to look better throughout the day. It’s quite long-lasting (12 hours at least).
- The texture is slightly toward matte on the B20 that I tried, but still luminous.
- SPF 15 sunscreen included (octinoxate 6% and titanium dioxide 5.6%).
The numbering system still isn’t sorted out in my mind. First, BR 30 seems much darker than B30. B30 is only slightly darker than B20.
I hope you find this useful. If you have more information (I’m trying to get some more myself), please leave it in the comments.
33 Responses to “Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua- Preliminary Swatches”
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I do not understand why the lightest shade here in Spain is shade 40. I use shade 20 (Clair) in the other Chanel foundations. We do not have shades under 20. I want to try it but I wil have to leave it for summer with a lot of self tan.
I don’t know what’s up with Chanel when it comes to deciding which shades go to which country. In Spain, Chanel assumes everyone is dark. In England, Chanel assumes everyone has yellow undertones. Go figure. I understand the reasoning behind tailoring products to certain countries, but they seem to be holding to some very outdated notions. I’ve read so many complaints about the limited color selection available in countries that have already gotten this foundation. Bloggers seem to like the foundation, but are having trouble getting a good color match. I hope we have a better variety in the US.
I tried this foundation a few days ago at Holt Renfrew and I LOVED it. It blended into my skin really well and gave off this really natural glow that was still matte. I had it on for about 7-8 hours, but it still looked really fresh even when I was about to take it off. I’m MAC NC25 and B20 is a perfect match for me. Surprising how there is only a subtle different between B20 and B30 though.
Wow, it seems really dark. I can’t really wear Chanel foundation as it is as it’s too dark for me but it’s always nice to dream that they’ll make lighter shades!
I’m hoping B10 is lighter–we’ll see!
I would love to hear if b10 works for you. Burberry 4 is too dark for me so if b10 works for you I can be pretty sure that I’m out of luck!
Hi Katie–I’m hoping to receive it next week, and will do a more comprehensive post then.
I got this foundation in b10 and it is a great match for my skintone- I find it a bit lighter/less yellow than the teint innocence .5. I think I will love this in the summer when my skin is more moist except I am finding that dimethicone causes me to break out. Ugh. The MA recommended that I try vitalumiere for winter but they were out of the .5 so I ordered it from Nordstrom and was sent .7 which is far too dark! Why is it that the numbers/names at Nordstrom are different than at chanel.com?
It looks like Vitalumiere Aqua has less gold in it and more neutral-tawny tint? At least on your skin it does. The Beige Rose looks like it would suit me in winter (NW20), but I’m not currently on the hunt for a new foundation. In a year or so, I might be though, and I know some gals who are searching so I’ll point them here. These swatches are, once again, pristine, accurate, and excellent (thus useful). And yes, it is frustrating for the palest beauties to find a good match in many brands; Chanel is only one of them.
Thank you for the observation about the chameleon nature of this foundation (just like some Chanel lipsticks). Do you use this foundation over a primer? Do you think a primer would alter the chameleon-effect?
Gisele, I don’t typically use a primer. Instead, I usually use a sunscreen (currently, Elta MD clear). I did not use any sunscreen or primer for my testing, to see what the foundation would do over bare skin. The chameleon-like effect with these only lasts for the first few minutes. After that, the color holds all day. I’ve experienced this with Lift Lumiere as well. I’m not what those genius Chanel chemists are doing, but the formulas seem to warm and stabilize (even if the temperature changes outdoors). I don’t get oxidation with them, they don’t shift dark or orange at all. However, one has to be careful when choosing a color that one doesn’t commit too fast.
I’ve had so many problems with primers breaking me out that I just gave up on them years ago. I use the Avene 30 and it works wonderfully under my foundation (NARS Sheer Glow for this year!) I just ordered the new NARS primer (glycerin-based, which my skin enjoys) from Sephora, so I am eagerly awaiting its arrival to see if the texture/look changes with a primer. My skin has a tendency to absorb-and-release oil through the day, which I think was the problem I encountered with the Lift Lumiere. This finish of the Aqualumiere looks very nice. I’d get samples first, which in my range (NW20-25) has never been a problem to match.
I might end up without the primer anyway. It’s another one of those, “Gee, I wonder?” purchases.
Take care!
Thanks for this post! I’ve been curious about this foundation. How moisturizing is this foundation? My HG Foundations are Burberry and LMdB however I’ve been wanting Guerlain Lingerie De Peau, Chanel Vitalumiere and this new Vitalumiere Aqua.
It does not feel moisturizing at all, despite its name. I think if I had dry skin, I’d go with the standard Vitalumiere.
Thank you Amy! This will be a skip for my moisture craving skin!
Hi Amy, I picked up this foundation in B10 last weekend and have worn it the last few days— and so far Ilove it! It’s so light I don’t feel anything, I only need 1-2 drops per usage, and it’s warm enough for my skin tone. My sensitive skin hasn’t reacted adversely yet either. I find that the foundation is a little matte in the beginning, but it looks better as the day progresses (with minimal/no color oxidation). I’m surprised that you’re almost to wear the B20! I’m not sure what MAC match I am, but I can’t imagine I’m anything lower than an NC20/25 and B20 was a bit too dark for me. Good luck getting a B10 sample!
Hello!
Great post. I work at an independent Chanel counter in Canada and we have the product already. The only things I would add to your great review is that, as the name suggests, this is a water-based foundation. It also has ‘skin perfecting’ qualities that enhance skin’s brightness, tone, and clarity. This is due to the Brown Seaweed Derivative. I have been using this regularly for over a month now and I notice my normally ‘prone to breakout skin’ is much more clear and bright.\
As you have mentioned, the shades almost self-correct on the skin once it sets, due to 3 different types of pigments.
Also, It layers well to build coverage and can even be applied over powder for a touch-up throughout the day.
It’s a great foundation and I’d recommend it to anyone with oily/combination skin, or people who like a really light, natural look.
Hi Laura, Thank you so much for your very informative thoughts. Do you think that the 3-pigment system may be the reason why there is little separation between B20 and B30–that is, they are self-correcting for my skintone as I swatch? I’m so glad you commented!
Hi, I am surprised that the shades appear so dark or too yellow. Your advice to wait 30 minutes for the foundation to set, is good advice. It has been awhile since I purchased Chanel foundation and now using Chantecaille. Your photos of the different shades are excellent.
Oh no, I am Teint Innocence .5 – I wonder if there will be a shade to suit? So disappointing when a great foundation comes out but the colors are all too dark (a la lingerie de peau). Have an appt at the Chanel counter for Sat. Keeping my fingers crossed!
The texture of this foundation looks very natural and blendable. I just wish that Chanel would start to add more color options. Chanel foundations always run too dark for me and this foundation looks no different.
They’re all too dark for me too. Hope won out though and I bought b10…..it’s still way too dark. YSL, Becca and Chantecaille are the only brands I’ve found so far that run light enough for me, and even then I have to order the right shades from abroad as the lighter ones are not available in Germany.
As always excellent post! I got a sample of this in B40 and I’m loving it even more so than Guerlain Parure Gold! It’s just so natural but covers well and lasts all day for me. I’m so happy and I’m combination skin. Have you tried the reformulated Vitalumiere? If you have do you know the difference between it and the old Vitalumiere? Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks for such a wonderful blog:)
Vitalumiere is the only Chanel foundation I’ve never tried. The new Vitalumiere Aqua will not have the same moisturizing glowy feel of either of the two Vitalumieres, though. I’d ignore the similarity in the names and treat them as two completely different products.
Hi Christina. Eileen here. I used to wear the “old” Vitalumière and switched when the new formulation became available. The “new” Vitalumière has a more radiant and luminous finnish, but in a natural way. In other words, it gives you a nice, soft focus glow, but you don’t have to worry about looking shiny or greasy. I think the foundation is really suited to those of us with dry skin because it seems to be a bit creamier and more skin nurturing than the old formula. It also seems to offer a bit more coverage than the old formulation. I hope this helps.
I was so happy I could find this in B10 (otherwise I could get BR20 or B30 but both would have been off – I’m a light NC15) and I must say I am absolutely IN LOVE with this foundation, haven’t loved one so much in a long time.
I do agree with everything you said, and indeed, there’s a slight change in color after a few minutes.
Thank you for putting the sunscreen ingredients in the review! Like many, I’m sensitive to chemical sunscreens so it’s good to know what ingredients are in a foundation before I consider purchasing it.
Hi Amy-
Great review as always!! You really do a wonderful job!
Thanks so much.
Hi Amy! I am NC25-30 and B20 is a great match for me. My NC20 friends (and lighter) use B10, it will probably be a better match for you. Hope this helps!
Super helpful post, thank u thank u thank u! esp the 5 minutes part! def will check out this foundation next month. Keep up the great work!
As all Chanel foundations here in Germany start at 20 Claire which is way too dark for me I snapped this up in b10 when I saw it at the airport….I love the packaging, the texture and the finish, but it’s STILL too dark for me. Not too yellow, or too pink, just too dark. If I wanted a foundation to give some colour to my skin I would go with it as does give a lovely even coverage in a definite tan shade – but I’m happy to be a very fair brunette and so this will go in the reject box along with all the other too dark foundations waiting to be mixed with the wonderful YSL #1 when I can get some. Sigh.
Thanks for the great swatches! I tried this foundation today and like the texture. BR20 was very suitable for me in terms of lightness/darkness, but came a bit pinky. I want to order the similar shade with yellow undertone. Do you recommend me B20 or B30? Unfortunately here in Turkey not all shades are available so I don’t have the opportunity to try those shades and I am planinng to buy it online.
I would look at Sabrina’s posts at The Beauty Look Book blog–she’s between B20 and B30, so she’ll be the best source of advice for you.
I have never looked at her blog before, what a loss!! She and I are nearly same on skin color. Anyway, I don’t think there is much difference between B20 and B30, so I’ll get whichever I find. Thanks again