Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation Review

Hello world! Here with another foundation review, and this time is the famous Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation. 

I’ve had the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation for over six months now. I first bought this foundation in the summer when I was at my most tanned. The ladies at the Chanel counter at David Jones in Canberra matched me perfectly to Beige 30 for AU$77. 

This is the most expensive foundation I have bought yet, but the fact that it is a luxury high end brand means that I can feel safe knowing that my skin won’t be harmed. I much prefer investing in quality products for my face that I know have gone through vigorous testing and ingredient selection, to ensure that it won’t irritate or harm my skin. I am cheap as dirt when it comes to all aspects of my life, but when it comes to my skin, you can rest assured that I set the bar high.
I bought this, as I only had full coverage foundations, and I was looking for a sheer, light weight foundation, that was suitable for every day wear. I also wanted to try out the Chanel beauty range, and this particular foundation captured my attention, for its reputation of hydration and light weight.

On the David Jones website, the description on this foundation is described as:

A new-generation texture. An unprecedented sensory experience. A unique makeup result. Rapid and easy application. VITALUMIERE AQUA. Apply your makeup without thinking about it.

Its soft and evanescent ultra-fine fluid texture is a real surprise. Although it is exceptionally delicate and light, an incomparable second-skin perfecting result is achieved. The complexion appears amazingly even, fresh and energized. The skin glows with seemingly nude beauty. As if glowing from within. Bathed in light.

Its formula, endowed with a UVB sun filter and mineral sunscreen, protects the skin from damaging sun rays (SPF 15). Its crystalline fragrance accentuates the sensation of freshness and pleasure on application.

First thing to be impressed about is the packaging. The foundation comes in a sleek but durable plastic rectangular container. There are no bells-and-whistles, just practicality, effortless chic for the everyday woman – very Chanel. This means I can bring it everywhere with me when I travel, without worrying about it breaking in my makeup bag when anyone gets rough with my luggage.

Second thing to be impressed about is the squeezy tube deliverance. My favourite type of foundation deliverance is a pump. My most hated type of deliverance is no deliverance and having to pour it onto your hand – yuck. This is a happy in-between, where there is still no mess or hygiene issues – tick! HOWEVER…

Con #1: The packaging comes with it’s downsides. During hot weather, the pressure in the bottle expands, and foundation can rise, so when you open it, you have a never-ending volano dribbling expensive lava which you can’t stop! This makes it very messy, very quickly – and causes quite a wastage.

The first things you note when you first use the foundation is how runny the consistency is and the fragrance. The foundation is super runny, and is made to be shaken before use. When you forget to shake, the foundation comes out being split – you can see where the water does not mix with the pigment.

TIP #1: Always shake your foundation for 30 seconds before applying it, unless it specifies not to do so. Every foundation whether it be oil based or water based will most likely split, as not all parts of the pigmentation will be soluble. Shaking ensures mixture when applying to the face – giving you the most even pigmentation possible in your foundation.

The fragrance is particularly strong in this foundation, so if that’s something you’re not into, or you have extremely sensitive skin, I suggest you sample this foundation before purchase. I actually really like the fragrance, as it smells quite fresh and luxe.

The coverage on this foundation is very sheer guys. It covers uneven skin tone – but that’s about it. It won’t cover blemishes or marks of discolouration. So if you’re looking for natural, no-makeup-skin (me hehe) then this is for you! The coverage is not buildable, so don’t try ladies, it just doesn’t have enough consistency. You also feel like you aren’t wearing any foundation on your skin – even when you touch your skin!

I wouldn’t say this foundation is matte or dewy – it just looks like your skin! However, as I have combination skin, which gets oily throughout the day, so does the foundation.

The foundation is next to undetectable, HOWEVER…

Con #2: It oxidises! I always apply foundation to the back of my hand before applying to my face and it gives me greater control on the amount of coverage I want on each area of my face. However, by the time the foundation has set, I check my hand and its gone orange-ish and darker – a completely different undertone to the foundation from the bottle. The oxidation is noticable a couple of hours into my day, when the foundation has settled into my fine lines and dry areas.

Con #3: The foundation settles into dry areas quite quickly and fine lines after a couple of hours.

Tip #2: Moisture before applying this foundation, and if you have dry spots, I suggest putting on a intensive hydration eye cream to that particular spot. I use Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado.

To apply this foundation, I use a very dense pointed foundation brush. This is good for only applying in areas that you need it, and it can be very precise. The brush pictured below is only available in Vietnam, however, there are so many dupes of this type of foundation brush available. Any other brush/sponge mechanism I feel does not work – they just aren’t dense enough, and swallow up the product, leaving little on your face. I’ve also seen that using fingers for this foundation is recommended, although I’ve never tried, as I hate touching my face in fear of spreading germs and getting pimples. 😦

TIP #3: Always wash your hands before touching your face – whether it be skincare of makeup. Bacterial transfer is one of the major causes of break outs.

Con #4: The staying power isn’t great after a whole day of uni. I suggest using this foundation when you have to go somewhere and you want a little bit of foundation, but don’t want the feel of foundation on your face.

Con #5: There is moderate flash-back during flash photography. But it’s pretty much a given that you wouldn’t wear this foundation to an event.

Overall, I love this foundation for a no-makeup look, and the cons mentioned aren’t actually that bad. It’s perfect for girls who have normal skin and don’t need much coverage. I would wear this foundation during sport, running errands or for every day makeup. However, once this runs out, I probably will not repurchase as there isn’t any wow-factor for me. I used to wear this foundation everyday to school and university, but it has quickly been replaced by the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation.

Click here to read my review on the Nars Sheer Glow Foundation → NARS Sheer Glow Foundation First Impression

I rate the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation a 3.5/5.

Let me know what you guys want to read or see me review next in the comments section! Have you used this foundation before or want to try it? Let me know!

Don’t forget to treat yourself xx