Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Foundation; Review & Swatches of Shades

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Matte Liquid-Powder Foundation SPF 15

New for Spring 2014

Price: $45 per ounce

Chanel Perfection Foundation is one of Chanel's newest foundations which was obviously created to follow the whole liquid to powder foundation trend we're seeing so much of lately.

Perfection Lumiere claims to be a "matte-velvet" finish formula which is "lightweight & oil-free." Chanel goes on to claim that Perfection Lumiere employs "soft-focus pigments" that smooth and perfect the skin for a flawless look that last's all day."

First, let me just say that I hate the names of Chanel Foundations. They're not particularly bad they're just confusing. I always find myself mixing them up and I can hardly remember which is which. 

Perfection Lumiere Velvet Foundation is Chanel's addition to the world of liquid to powder formulations and overall, Chanel did a pretty good job. For those of you who are unfamiliar, liquid to powder formulas have been popping up in the past few years from almost every brand. They often begin as a very fluid liquid (but can be thicker like Becca Ever Matte or Hourglass Immaculate) and then they set just like a powder. 

They generally have a matte to demi-matte finish and staying power that rivals traditional long-wearing formulas like Estee Lauder Doublewear, but they are more forgiving, more natural looking, and tend to blend better with skin. Some companies like L'Oreal-owned Armani & YSL have cheated and released versions that use alcohol as a way to achieve the illusion of being a well-formulated foundation, but Chanel (thankfully) didn't revert to such measures.

Perfection Lumiere is dispensed from a dropper bottle and must be shaken before every use. (That's extremely crucial to be diligent about.) You'll want to be sure to bang the bottom of the bottle once or twice before opening the bottle too or you could run the risk of having foundation explode everywhere which is just unpleasant, (especially when you're paying $45 an ounce!)

The formula of Lumiere Velvet is an extremely thin fluid. It blends easily and meshes well with skin but allows plenty of time to blend. You can use a brush or your fingers to apply and will get equally impressive results but you'll probably want to avoid using a sponge as they're not ideal for this type of formula. 

(Sponges or Beauty Blenders will tend to absorb product and then as the risidual foundation in the sponge dries you run the risk of mixing it with the fresh makeup which can lead to an uneven application.)

You can sheer Lumiere (ha that rhymes) out if you're only looking for light coverage or you can build it up to the fuller end of medium. (If you have severe issues you want to conceal you'll probably still need a concealer though.)

The formula is indeed lightweight and oil-free so it's safe for those who are break-out prone and ideal for those with normal to oily skin. Once Chanel Perfection sets, it sets to a soft matte finish that is absolutely velvet-like and true to what a liquid to powder foundation is. 

The nine shades are decent but not fantastic and will suit those with light to medium/tan skin. Those who have fair or deep skin will be out of luck here and those who are light with true neutral undertones will probably be disappointed as well since the two lightest shades have strong pink or yellow undertones (as do most Chanel Foundations.)

Overall, Chanel did a really good job with their liquid to powder formula, but they didn't knock it out of the park. They didn't include alcohol in the formula which puts them light years ahead of Armani Maestro Fusion, YSL Ink Fusion, L'Oreal Magic Nude and Maybelline Dream Wonder (all of which are identical formulas) so the fact that Chanel Perfection Lumiere won't harm your skin is a huge plus happy valentines day 2015.

That being said, Laura Mercier did a far better job with her Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide Foundation and so did Urban Decay with their Naked Skin Weightless Foundation. Both of those formulas (in addition to being Cruelty Free) are superior in almost every facet. They offer better options for shades and a more consistent, even, skin-like application. 

If Chanel Perfection was available at drugstore prices than it might have been worth considering in lieu of Urban Decay or Laura Mercier's options, but given the fact that they're all in the same price range there's really no reason to choose Chanel over them as they just perform so much better.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Foundation; Swatches of Shades
10 Beige, 12 Beige Rose, 20 Beige, 22 Beige Rose, 30 Beige, 40 Beige, 50 Beige, 60 Beige, 70 Beige

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet Foundation; Swatches of Shades
10 Beige, 12 Beige Rose, 20 Beige, 22 Beige Rose, 30 Beige, 40 Beige, 50 Beige, 60 Beige, 70 Beige