Le Blanc de Chanel Illuminating Base

I've wanted this product for a while before purchasing it...i stumbled across some primer reviews on Makeupalley and there it was.



Now this is my version of the pic, a little more blurry because by the time i got to actually realize the quality wasn't the expected one and try change the settings, the battery died.

It is a beautiful, beautiful frosted glass bottle with a gorgeously massive squared cap with the Chanel logo embossed on. The bottle is squared as you can see, which i love because it's simpler to pack when traveling. It comes with a small plastic spatula to use and pick up the product from the bottle...yep, it doesn't have a pump. Not very happy about it.

This is the 'new and improved' version of the 'old' base that was marketed as Blanc Universel de Chanel.

So this is basically a liquid version of the old white paste in a jar. I must say this version appears to be much hygienic and comfortable to use than the former one...at least they provide a spatula or a separate pump can be used. I can't imagine what it was like to try work with the paste, dabbing your fingers/sponges/brushes in the jar...brrrr. Germs+messy fingers+wasted product=NOT cool.

The rave reviews on Makeupalley were 90% referring to the old cream version...and not to the liquid one simply because the ladies were/are still using the old formulation. It was a bit of a cringing situation for me when i discovered i had bought the 'new' version and not the wonder jar many girls were swearing by, because from my experience, whenever a quality product is 'improved' it usually turns out to be a major flop.

However, though i never used the cream one, i do think the differences between my observations and the ones on forums are minor.

Price: It is expensive like hell. For a small bottle of 30 ml one has to pay around 50 euros but i was lucky and got it from duty free for 29, almost half price off. Yay! As i said, it is going to burn a little hole in your budget.

Quantity & stuff: 30 ml isn't too much but the thick fluidity give the primer/base a creamy consistency. a little goes a long way, it is extremely blendable and easy to work with. So i guess it lasts forever. I've had mine since March, though not using it every day thus not being able to approximate, i can still tell it DOES last a long long long time...my bottle looks untouched and i did use it many times.

What it claims to do: Chanel states it is a 'multi-tasking ingenious fluid' base meant to provide a smooth application of the makeup through its texture; it is also meant to reduce the small expression wrinkles, fine lines, large pores or granulated skin, therefore aiming towards a porcelain complexion.

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What it does: well. It is not very visible on my skin therefore i have uploaded a picture of a model being prepped with Le Blanc. The effect on her entire face is the exact same one on mine, when i use the right amount all over my face.

The primer IS white, but it won't leave white streaks, a white layer or anything in the family. It is like applying 'pearl cream' on your face- you get a ton of glow due to the microscopic light-reflecting particles in it. It doesn't look shiny (as in greasy oily forehead and nose), glittery or tacky. It gives the Jennifer Lopez glow 'from the inside' even when worn alone.

In the pics I have only used it underneath my eyes and blended it downwards on the cheekbones because i sincerely don't want to waste the product and two, due to the specificity of the area- my undereye skin & the cheekbone area are the most troublesome parts that need to be taken care of (undereye circles & spots immediately under). The quality of the pics isn't so high but you can clearly see a difference. The product is basically capable to significantly lighten up your skin and 'erase' undereye circles and fine expression lines BY ITSELF. I have no foundation or concealer on top of it.

It does make a huge difference, and by itself only. The first twenty seconds seem like an eternity because the product must be allowed to settle on the skin and 'work'. The first impression is indeed of having applied whitening glow on your face but immediately after you'll see the difference. It just evens out the skintone, one, two, it makes your face glow in a natural and healthy manner, and three, it does make even the cheapest and chromatically challenged foundation glide on the skin and appear much more suitable to your skintone. It can also be used for lightening up a darker foundation, or as a mixing agent for two foundations, making your own tinted (glowing!) moisturizer or taming down a thick concealer. It is indeed a very versatile product and i don't regret having purchased it.

How to use: i prefer to use my fingertips to warm up the product and not waste so much; never tried the brush or sponge but i guess it's okay to use those too. Very important to remember- you must let it settle in for about 5 minutes; it doesn't change the appearance or the quality of your makeup if you don't, you might only get a little scared by the initial whiteness (which isn't so pronounced after all, but who knows). NO, it will NOT make your face white or lighten up the tone of your foundation/concealer. It gives this impression if applied together with a dark foundation because of the light-reflecting particles, but it won't affect its tone. It will however make your face dewy, glowing, amazingly healthy and smooth. No matter what cheapos you decide to use with it, you'll have a beautiful and radiant complexion at the end of your makeup routine.

It also makes your foundation last longer, no dryness, no crimping in the fine lines, even if you use a heavy-duty setting powder. It's suitable for every skintype, doesn't irritate, doesn't break me out, it's perfect. It gives a nice sensation by keeping the moist in your skin, you literally feel fresh-faced even after ten hours of wearing makeup. The best primer for my Estee Lauder Double Wear, which is a tricky foundation to wear (can dry out the skin).

Therefore...: It is the best foundation base i have ever had, period. Much much better than Laura Mercier, Clinique or the drugstore ones i have tried. I love the fact that the foundation gets smoother and easier to blend; this is indeed a true makeup base. It's worth all the money, it lasts forever, it smells good (a faint powdery-fruity scent)....strongly recommended.

Here are some pictures.

With flash, Seventeen Time Plus foundation on top (shade 05 dark beige):

Without flash (daylight, bad angle):

Happy shopping everyooooone!