Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation and Swatches

 Chanel, Foundation  27 Responses »
May 292012
 

This is a somewhat imperfect review of Chanel Vitalumeire Aqua Foundation ($58), introduced about a month or two ago. This foundation is a medium-coverage cream foundation sold in a luxe round compact. I found that it gave a flawless finish, particularly when applied with Chanel’s Blending Foundation Brush #7 ($54) (review forthcoming).

When applied, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua feels like air, there is no heavy foundation feeling or any oiliness. I find that cream foundations like this look amazing for formal occasions, whether for work or social activity. It provides an airbrushed finish. There is a very slight “silicon” feeling to the foundation. It lasts well throughout a long day and holds up beautifully without a powder. No breakout for me.

Here are some swatches of most of the shades (B50 and  BR32 are missing, but I’ll try to fill in the gaps throughout the week). As you can see, the “B” tones are warmer, and the “BR” tones seem to have a touch of cool rose.

And now for the imperfect part of the post–a beauty confession. I was matched to B30 at a mass make-over at a local department store, although I realized it was too dark I went ahead anyway. As frustrated as I am with myself, now that my overly generous sample has been used (it lasted about five days), I may exchange my untouched full sized B30 for another more appropriate color.

Thank you to Tressa from Nordsrom Seattle for patiently sending me these samples for us all to enjoy. To be clear, Tressa took no part in the color matching for me, or my own personal decision to cave to the makeup artist’s inaccurate recommendation.

Onward and upward, and I hope you learn from my mistake.

 

A Guide to Chanel Foundations

 Chanel, Foundation  8 Responses »
Apr 072010
 

Chanel makes a large selection of foundations, most of which I’ve either owned or used continuously for years.  Although many readers likely know their way around a Chanel counter pretty well, I thought it useful to do a summary of the various foundations that are currently available for the reference of those who find their selection confusing.  I should note that I’ve never worked with or for Chanel, this represents my own experiences only.  As you already know, foundations are largely a matter of individual choice.  Everyone’s skin types are so different.  So please take this over view with a grain of sale.

Tient Innocence Fluid (SPF 12, $47)– This is the lightest foundation within Chanel’s line–it’s almost weightless. I’ve been told that it contains no oil, although it is not advertised as oil free and it does not have any mattifying properties.  It’s appropriate for those who need little coverage and are simply looking to even out their skin tone.  Of course, you can apply this in conjunction with a concealer if you are only worried about a few places but still want a more natural look.  This looks amazing with a Chanel Poudre Douce over it–it gives a very glowy and natural look.  It’s a very easy foundation to wear and apply.  Mistakes are easily swept away and it’s very difficult to go wrong with this one.  Packaging is a glass bottle with an open top.

Tient Innocence Compact (SPF 10, $56).  This foundation is a creamy compact foundation and gives full, glowy coverage.  It is far more emollient and dense compared with Tient Innocence fluid.  Many users absolutely love this foundation, and indeed the look and polish that it can give are beautiful.  Others find that it can feel a bit heavy.  Because my skin can get oily, I found that it too much for my needs and it tended to bring out more shine that I wanted.  If I ever do need full coverage, however, I won’t hesitate to use it. Packaging is a luxury compact with mirror.  In the U.S., the pans are not replaceable, although in the rest of the world refills can be used for these.

Pro Lumiere Fluid foundation (SPF 15, $54) is a classic, medium-coverage liquid foundation.  It gives a very finished, polished and luminous look.  It has more coverage than Tient Innocence Fluid, although it does not feel nearly as heavy at the Tient Innocence compact.  If I have a special event and want to look very finished, I’ll reach for Pro Lumiere.  It gives a beautiful finish for normal and combination skin types.  Packaged in a glass bottle with a pump top.

Mat Lumiere (SPF 15 $54) is similar in coverage to Pro Lumiere except that this one is made for oily skin.  It advertises a mattifying effect with long-lasting coverage. Packaged in a glass bottle with a pump top.

Vitalumiere (SPF 15, $54) is a medium coverage fluid foundation that is designed for dry skin types.  The new version adds moisturizers and antioxidants and all sorts of lovely things for your skin.  Packaged in a glass bottle with a pump top. Whether you choose Pro Lumiere (for normal to combination skin), Mat Lumiere (for oily skin) or Vitalumiere (for dry skin) is largely a question of your skin type.

Lift Lumiere (SPF $65) is a medium-coverage foundation made for aging skin, meant to have a “lifting” effect.  It is intended to have some light reflecting particles to minimize the look of fine lines.  In addition, Chanel advertises that there are some skin benefits that can be obtained from using this foundation.  This foundation needs to “set”–that is, when first applied it looks sort of chalky and obvious.  After a few minutes, it seems to sink into the skin and look fabulous.  This is sold in a lightweight shatterproof plastic bottle with a pump.

Double Perfection Compact (SPF 10, $50) is Chanel’s only powder foundation at present.  This can be applied with either a sponge (one is included) or a brush (kabuki brush for heavy coverage, or a powder brush for lighter coverage).  The mirrored compact holds a half-pan that lasts me at least 9 months to a year of everyday use.  The coverage is light to medium–if you add too much powder, it can look a little cakey.  If you don’t it can give you a  beautiful finish although not as luminous as Pro Lumiere.  As a powder compact, this is very convenient for travel.