Is this your perfect-match foundation?
As far as matte finish foundations go, the Chanel Le Teint Ultra Tenue Ultrawear Flawless Foundation is pretty good. Matte and velvet foundations aren’t really my bag (I prefer dewy) but this goes on beautifully, doesn’t sink into my dry cheeks and has great staying power. As with other matte, longwear foundations, this dries fast. So moisturise well, then blend quickly (I use the Chanel fluid/powder foundation brush but you can also use fingers, better if you want a lighter coverage). If you’re on the go, there’s a compact version available too.
The shade range isn’t bad, with positive reports from darker skinned beauty editors, although I think Chanel could easily have added a couple more dark shades. I have to say, I tend to struggle getting an exact match with Chanel foundations. I was sent a couple of near-match samples but I still had to mix in a bit of my Burberry to balance out the pinkish undertones.
It almost seems quaint to be talking about the challenge of perfect match foundation in the era of anything-you-want-on-demand. But if you’re happy to be hands-on then you can do worse than adding a drop of Cover FX Custom Cover Drops to shift the tone of your not-quite-there foundation. These pure pigment liquids are quite the phenomenon and instant sellouts – you can also add them to oils, serums, moisturisers, etc. [UPDATE: Clinique has some pigment drops coming in March.]
But Lancôme might be the game changer in the foundation customisation game. Coming to Harrods this spring, there’s a lot of excitement about its Le Teint Particulier Custom Foundation (below). Readings of your skintone are taken with a special device and then your own custom foundation is whipped up in front of you to create your exact shade and finish. It has already been trialling in America for a year – read Elle.com’s report here.
As with anything bespoke, the finishing touch is getting your name on the bottle and a record of your formula so that you can reorder. Estimated UK price is £60. Watch the process in action here.
WORDS AND CHANEL IMAGES: Navaz Batliwalla/Disneyrollergirl
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8 February, 2017 @ 11:16 am
HI
What is the best foundation (preferably compact not liquid) for brown skin gals in your opinion? Mac too orange / others too grey? I would really value your opinion and I think we share the same skin tone.
Thnks
8 February, 2017 @ 11:44 am
Hi Ann, I never seem to use compact foundations but generally, I love Bobbi Brown, Estee Lauder and Burberry for matching my skintone (slightly yellow undertone). Also check out Vincent Longo Water Canvas, quite unique texture and good shades for our colouring: http://bit.ly/2kH8Z9r