When CHANEL launch a new foundation I’m all ears. Heck when CHANEL launch anything I’m all ears. When I got a whiff that they were launching a foundation into their Les Beiges line I was so excited I had to sit down. The Les Beiges line has some great gems already like the Healthy Glow Sheer Powders and the limited edition bronzers they come out with each summer. Swoon! So tomorrow sees the addition of the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation. Nine shades (at least in the UK I think) and £36 for 30ml. Here’s what else you need to know…
THE GOOD: Of course being CHANEL it’s nice to look at. The bottle is heavy and sturdy and there’s a pump hidden under the lid which dispenses the perfect amount of product (1 pump for a medium coverage all over the face, 2 for a full-on finish). The finish itself is pretty high coverage I find. It doesn’t look cakey at all, but it packs a punch in the pigment department much more than any other CHANEL foundation formula I’ve tried. In fact it’s got a little bit of a Pro Lumiére vibe about it. Remember that? Despite the high coverage, it still looks like skin and gives a glow without feeling un-set and sticky.
THE BAD: The colour range isn’t great so not everyone will be able to find a match (FYI I sit somewhere in between B10 and B20, but find a mix of the two works best). Also the texture can feel a little thick sometimes so it takes a bit of experimentation when it comes to application. Personally I like it best worked in with fingers first and then finished off with a damp BeautyBlender. I found brushes to leave things a bit cakey and streaky. Then there’s the finish. Being nice and dewy doesn’t lend itself to being the most long-wearing formula of all time. Of course this could be amped up with the addition of a powder, but I prefer how it looks on its own so tend to wear it on occasions where I know my it doesn’t need to look pristine for 12 hours straight.
I reckon it will be a bit of a Marmite reaction to this one. Dry skinned gals and guys who love a dewy finish and can forgive the longevity issues will love it, but I think those who are oiler and don’t have such a soft spot for full coverage will find it a tad heavy. I’d point you in the direction of a counter. Go have a swatch and see what you think. Just know that you’ll walk away with a CHANEL product even if you weren’t intending to – those counters are dangerous I’m telling you…
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