Friday, May 6, 2011

Review: Chanel Pro Lumiere Foundation

If you've ever used Chanel Pro Lumiere, you can probably attest to how great this foundation is. I usually go on and on before getting to the actual review of this product, but for this, when it's great it doesn't take much words to describe it. I love love love the Chanel Pro Lumiere foundation. This product is described as "A flawless complexion in any light. PRO LUMIÈRE stretches like a canvas that forms a curtain veil of light on the skin. The material reshapes the skin, the colour adapts and the density adjusts depending on the desired effect. Soft to the touch and perfectly adjustable when applied, the PRO LUMIÈRE formula is highly concentrated in with high-tech radiance-emitting active ingredients. Rich in reflecting pigments and emollient elements that leave the complexion looking flawless, it also recreates the smoothing performance effect of artificial light. Blended in completely, it offers a semi-matte and luminous translucent result. Less blended, it provides a smoothing effect with perfectly even skin and tighter pore." This foundation gets high raves from all over, the PixiWoo girls love it and I would be hard pressed to find anything bad said about it.

If you've been following my blog for some time, you know that I buy a lot of foundation, it's the item that I enjoy buying the most (and find it the most frustrating to match). This foundation is the most expensive I have ever purchased. Now a little about that, I don't know how much this actually costs because I went about getting it in an odd way. I think it's like $65ish in Canada, please correct me if I am wrong. I purchased this on Amazon.com from AZPerfume, with shipping to Canada, this cost me $72. However, when I received it I got dinged another $18, so in total I paid $90 for this! Keep in mind I used gift cards from Swagbucks and got it for free plus customs charges however, so that's not bad at all, but if you are purchasing this online, be weary of that! AZPerfume ships from Hong Kong and when I got the package it looked just like my StrawberryNet.com box, so I think they are one and the same, which I found funny. Of course the seller would not refund my customs charge (some will if you ask nicely) so that annoyed me.

Chanel Pro Lumiere comes in a luxurious heavy frosted glass bottle with a pump (dispenses the perfect amount). And the cute black cap with the Chanel logo on top. It makes me so happy to finally have this in my collection, like giddy happy, I've wanted it for so long.

When choosing foundation shades, I consulted many swatches and reviews online, as I would with any product. This was my first time using any Chanel foundation. The shade 10 Limpide Nude is the lightest shade they carry and is the closest to an NC15 (which is my shade in MAC). You can check out swatches of Chanel Pro Lumiere shades on Karlasugar's site here as well as her snazzy Chanel foundation comparison chart here, which goes over differences in coverage and finish to choose the one that's best suited for you.

In the bottle 10 Limpide Nude looks light, but when swatched you can tell it's a lot darker and super yellow. I was scared that this would disappoint and not suit me, but it's very forgiving when blended in, although it does look very yellow so if you are cool toned (pink undertones) this may not work for you. The texture is exceptional, it reminds me of Guerlain's Lingerie De Peau. I think why high-end foundations are far superior to drugstore is that they don't pack foundations full of powders, so they are nicer to apply and sit nicer.

Finish wise, Chanel describes it as semi-matte, I would definitely disagree, this gives the most dewy finish of any foundation that I own. Since I have dry skin, I opt for a dewy finish. I would not recommend this to anyone with oily skin though, this is dewy like, your skin is shiny, wet looking, not a good look for someone who gets oily throughout the day, this stuff would just melt off you. In terms of coverage, PixiWoo calls it a "perfect finish" in their Chanel Overview video and I would have to agree. It's medium coverage, but looks very natural and glowy and beautiful. And sits like butter on my dry skin, I have issues with flakiness on my forehead and around my nose and this foundation sits smoothly on those areas. Another thing is, this foundation never fully sets, I will touch my face throughout the day and it feels almost wet, I would powder this if you don't like that feeling, however powdering it can take away the luminous glow that this gives, so I avoid it.

Now for some swatch comparisons, I have compared it here with some regular foundations that I use, that work for me colour-wise. I personally find these posts very helpful with others do them so I always try to include it. You will notice in the bottles, they all look very similar right? Chanel Pro Lumiere actually looks the lightest lined up here, but it's because of the frosted glass.

Swatched side by side, Chanel Pro Lumiere is much darker than MAC Pro Longwear, MUFE HD and Nars Sheer Glow. I would of preferred that it was a tad lighter, but this is the lighest shade that it comes in, so what can you do?

Would I recommend this product? Although extremely expensive, Chanel Pro Lumiere sells itself on it's beautiful finish and coverage. For those with dry skin, it's a heaven-sent foundation in my opinion. It's a pity that this foundation is becoming discontinued! If I could trade in all the crappy drugstore foundation that I've bought over the years for one more bottle of this, I would do it in a second. I would definitely recommend this foundation.

19 comments:

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

This sounds *amazing*!!! Fab review Justine!!! I wonder with this being the lightest shade if this one would work for me or if, as you said, it might be too cool toned for cool skintones. Hmm...I might just have to try it on next time I am at the mall and see!!!

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@Pammy - I think you mean too warm toned for cool skintones. :)

Carrie said... Best Blogger Tips

i'm glad that this worked out for you! it looks great. i have yet to find the perfect foundation for myself. :D

:)
Carrie
http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/

isabella said... Best Blogger Tips

i would love to try this foundation but i have oily skin so i mite have to pass since i'm not a big fan of the dewy look. however, i do love all the other foundations that are in that picture ^^ have u tried the new chanel foundation or armani? i think i love armani lasting silk..except its price of course. high end foundations are so nice but ridiculously expensive sigh xD

Kathie said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for the excellent review, good to know! I have oily skin and pink tones, so this one wouldn't work for me. I'll consult the chart you mentioned though.

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@isabella - vitalumiere aqua? No I haven't tried that one, this is the first chanel foundation I've ever used. I'd love to try that one, but it is soo expensive, I havne't tried the giorgio armani either, same reason!

Jess said... Best Blogger Tips

i never even ever considered buying this foundation but thanks to ur review..I REALLY want to try this. I gotta price it and see what it is in the US..thanks for the great review!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

They are discontinuing it soon, so if you really want to try it I'd suggest getting it soon. I think in the Fall it will be gone from what I've heard.

Stephanie said... Best Blogger Tips

I can't believe that is the lightest shade. This sounds good except for the part where it stays wet. I think I'll be sticking to my diorskin nude and mufe foundations. Thanks for the great review! love em!

Liz (Beauty Reductionista) said... Best Blogger Tips

Darn my oily skin. I've tried Vitalumiere and loved it but know that I'd have to use Mat Lumiere. I'm glad you had a chance to try this and I'm sure your perfect foundation is out there somewhere. :D

Tiffany said... Best Blogger Tips

I already knew that I had to avoid this foundation at all costs because I have SUPER oily skin, but it sounds like the perfect foundation for you and people with drier skin! Your description and review made it sound AMAZING!

Justine (Productrater) said... Best Blogger Tips

@Stephanie - ya it's very very dewy!

Unknown said... Best Blogger Tips

Whoa that looks so dark! NC15 is dark on me so it would not work. Thanks for the swatches.

Mai said... Best Blogger Tips

Great post! Much needed to tell you the truth.. I've tested out the Pro Lum but i didn't find it as great as the Guerlain one.. I dunno know.. It just didn't feel right on my skin...

I have the Mat lum tho.. Which is not completely matte so that's great.. It gives a lovely satin finish to the skin..

I think with foundations, what you wear underneath (moisturizer, primer etc.) has a lot of impact on how the foundation works for you.. So I might give the pro lum another chance..

Thanks so much hun

Jenni said... Best Blogger Tips

thanks for your review and recommendation! i'd love to try chanel base makeup items soon <3 only have their blush/bronzer and rouge coco shines :)

nicoletta said... Best Blogger Tips

Great review, i have this foundation and love it too. My all time favourite foundation xx

Irene Blushing Loves said... Best Blogger Tips

Have tried Matte lumiere and its gorgeous,want to get it badly..but now have tocheck the Pro lumiere also!!Thanks hun!!

xxx

Annie Dong said... Best Blogger Tips

I tried this on my mom and she LOVED it. It really hydrated and smoothed out her skin. I really want to try the Aqua.

Miu said... Best Blogger Tips

The color looks perfect for me! I got beige 4.0, WAY too dark. Should have chosen a lighter color! I did a review too on my blog =)