Ugh, I Tried A Full Face Of Chanel Makeup So You Don’t Have To. Except … You Might Want To.
If you’re in a spending freeze please, I beg of you, leave this article immediately.
If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission. Gifted items will be called out (gifted), and affiliate links will include an asterisk (*). We have to eat, after all.
by Audie Metcalf
First I simply must tell you that I purchased all of these products with my own money. We often do get stuff sent to us to try—and I adore this part of my job and am not at all casual about it and still squeal with delight with every pr box—but this is not one of those times. You best believe, though, if Chanel ever sees this article (fingers crossed) and sends me something in the mail, the squealing decibel will be so high that only dogs will be able to hear it.
But in the meantime, once you see these absurd prices you will know how spiritually and emotionally and fundamentally committed I am to trying everything in the beauty world for you, and reporting back on what I think is truly superb and life-altering, and what is, well, not.
You already know that I am wowed by some/all of what I have experienced during this deeply expensive Chanel haul, otherwise I would not be writing an article about it. How unfun and boring would this be if I was like, all of this is bad? Very unfun. Very boring.
Exhibit A of me being wowed. BRIGHT GLARING SUN, on a full face of makeup. Friends, I am astonished.
Reminder—I am 49, I have lots of skin texture and big pores, VERY pronounced eye bags (if you know me, you know this is my endlessly droned on issue), general sun spots from being an idiot with the sun, thinning lips because I guess this is life now, kind of an overall skin-droop from age and also losing weight, and hooded eyes. Just to give you the lay of the land. I know that sounds very negative but it’s more about being direct—I also think I’m pretty! “Two things can be true at once” as my therapist tells me!
Ok, let’s dive into this very very costly pool together.
1. The skin prep
WHAT: Chanel La Mousse Camellia Cleansing Cream-to-Foam*, Le Lift Cream*, La Base Matifiante Perfecting Makeup Primer*
Pros: All have that “if you know you know” intoxicating Chanel scent that is truly distinct but also never irritating on sensitive skin (which I have in my “maturing” years). I owned the cleanser already, and it’s so massive it’s taken me years to get through. The cream is deeply hydrating and calmed my redness while giving me mega moisture. And the mattifier is because I’m an oil slick come 3pm, and it definitely did its job. Plus, using a mattifier means you nevvvvvvver have to use a powder (which makes us look old. Er).
Cons: I haven’t tried the cream for long enough to know if it has longer term benefits, and for that price I really need to make sure. Otherwise, I will stick to my beloved rich cream and my can’t-live-without oil. Also cost. Every con will be cost.
2. The Base Products
WHAT: Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation*, Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid*, and this (amazing) 2-in-1 Foundation Brush*
Pros: Well, shit. This is the best foundation I’ve ever used. UGHHHHHH. Usually foundations that claim “glow” become positively wet on my combo-skin, but this one is gorgeously dewy while never looking greasy—even after a full day of wear in 90 degree, stultifying SoCal heat. It is also somehow SO magical at both completely covering my pores and redness and generally textured skin, while providing incredible coverage but never sinking into lines or exacerbating texture or wrinkles. I'm in the shade B30, and I’m typically one of those skin tones that needs to buy TWO colors to get my perfect match but this is UTTER PERFECTION. I think honestly this is where it’s worth it to spend money—a perfect foundation match sits at the fulcrum of natural no-makeup makeup, so the fact that Chanel shades are this unbelievably skin-like is worth it to me. Also, it’s so gorgeous under the eyes that I didn’t feel I needed concealer or anything else.
I also mixed one pump of the highlighter (ZERO glitter just glow) into the foundation on the back of my hand and then swirled it on with the brush I think the brush is key for a flawwwwwless application—I’ve never used a brush like this before but something about the combo is truly remarkable. Here’s the brush up close:
Cons: Um, nothing? Just that it costs more than my first car payment. Oh, but I only used ONE pump of foundation for my entire face so I think to say this product will last me a full year isn’t inaccurate.
3. The water color blush that’s light as air
WHAT: Les Beiges Water-Fresh Blush in Intense Coral* and Foundation-Blending Brush N°102*
Never in all my life have I seen or felt a blush like this. It’s SO watery such that it sheers out into ABsolute nothingness—it almost feels like a watercolor paint—and it leaves a true flush on my skin—as if I’ve just been panting up a hill. (Of course I would never do such a thing). So, unlike blush that looks like it’s ON the skin, this feels like it’s OF the skin.
It’s also remarkable in that you can apply it directly to your face with nothing underneath and it just gives you a gorgeous glow. I felt like that would sound too good to be true so I waited until I was having a zero makeup day to show you exactly how the blush looks with nothing underneath it. This is the shade intense coral*—I often find coral shades to be the most natural vs pinks that look like “hi I’m wearing blush.” Also this sort of stippling brush is incredible with it, though you can also use fingers because it’s impossible to mess up.
Cons: I’m really searching for one you guys. I’ll let you know.
4. The lips. Ohhhh the lips.
WHAT: Coco Hydra Gloss in Reflet* and Opulence* and Rouge Coco Longwear Satin Lipstick in Flying Cloud*
Pros: Don’t be afraid of the slightly lavender gloss—it’s unbelievably gorgeous if most colors turn orange on you. Here’s the lipstick and the gloss in the the shade Reflet* together:
And here’s a swatch of the lipstick which is that slightly mauve tone that makes everyone look fresh and young—it’s NOT “pinky nude” tones that do this. It’s mauve tones. This is a secret. I used to be a makeup artist in my former life so you can trust me on this:
And that sort of reddish color gloss is unlike ANY color I’ve ever worn before in my life. I’m one of those people who looks ATROCIOUS in red, but you simply must see this color swatched:
Cons: $$$
And the final look without amazing lighting so you can really see how it all comes together. Ugh, it looks good. GOD, I’m so mad. This is going to be an expensive habit.
Audie Metcalf is the Editor-in-chief of The Candidly, and lives in LA with her family. You can find more of her articles here.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
