I remember this being a highly raved product some time last year, if memory serves me right. So many people loved it for being light and comfortable on skin. I was told that it was even better than the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum foundation and some said, even better than the Diorskin Nude foundation. Naturally, I had to try it.
I’d never had much luck with Chanel foundations before this. A friend gave me a powder foundation once, and that made me look like an oompa loompa. For some reason, it gave my skin an orange cast that wasn’t flattering at all. When I went to check out the Vitalumiere Aqua foundation at the Chanel counters locally, I had no luck either. The lightest shade they bring in locally is B20 or BR20 and that is a full shade darker than my skintone. The lovely SA who served me and who gave me a mini makeover fully agreed that it wasn’t my shade and that I should be taking B10. BR10 was too pink.
When I was down in Singapore last year, I checked out B10 at the Chanel boutique. Its the lightest shade in the range and the SA there told me it would be my shade. We did the stripe test etc and it seemed close. I ended up picking up a bottle of Vitalumiere Aqua foundation in B10 later. I’d love to be able to tell you that I love it.
Sadly, I don’t. There is a lot I don’t like about it but let me first tell you some of the good points.
Packaging wise, its lovely and compact and takes up very little space on my dresser or anywhere. The plastic bottle makes it light and easy to travel with. It is wider than the Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation but about as compact.
The nozzle dispenser is very effective. Almost too effective if the mess is to be any judge. I intentionally did not clean it up, because your bottle will look like this after a while. Nozzle-wise it works, but the formula is tricky which results in this mess.
Which brings me to the formula. The Vitalumiere Aqua foundation is supposed to be a water based foundation and you have to shake it up before you dispense. There problem is, it takes a whole lot of shaking going on to get it to mix up properly in the bottle. A. Lot.
The first time, I just did a few wrist shakes, opened up the cap and was horrified to see some tinted runny liquid flow out. The next time, I shook it up with arm action and everything, for a long time. And when I did so, the liquid that comes out is more akin to that of a liquid foundation – slightly creamy yet light in texture. The texture is quite lovely and light but I didn’t like it.
It dries down on my skin looking matte and dull and seems to dry out my skin throughout the day. It must be said that I have combination-dry skin and I did think that a water based foundation might work. The Lunasol Water Gel Foundation does, very impressively. This however, didn’t feel comfortable.
The other problem is colour. B10 appeared fine on my skin when applied, but when the product dries on my skin, it takes on an orange cast. As the day wears on, it oxidises and turns deeper and even more orange. I walked around for a day with my face looking a whole shade deeper than the rest of me. Quite surreal.
I’ve tried it a couple of times, with a face base, with a light hand, and its failed to work every single time. If I go with a light hand, it applies very sheerly and you might as well not bother with foundation. When it dries, it looks like a mask on my skin. Also, the colour still oxidises, so depending on how much I apply, I will have a light tan or a deep tan. Who needs tanning lotions eh? 😛
Here’s the product swatch alongside some other similar textured liquid foundations that I like, and which suit my skin tone.
Left-Right: Diorskin Nude (new formula) 010, Lunasol Water Gel Foundation OC01, Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup B10, Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum #51
The Dior and Lunasol texture is close to that of the Chanel, with Lunasol being the closest. However, the Lunasol foundation does not require shaking up and squeezes out a perfect texture every time. The Dior is slightly more creamy with the Bourjois being the creamiest of the 4.
Its unfortunate, but Chanel and I don’t seem to have a connection lately, and most definitely, not in the foundation department. I’m much happier using the foundation from their sister brand Bourjois, which is cheaper and looks better on me.
In a nutshell
The Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup liquid foundation gets a lot of love from most people who have tried it. I however, have no love for it for reasons that boil down to texture and colour match. The product requires that you shake it up to mix. If you don’t shake it properly, you will squeeze out tinted water. If you do it properly, you get proper foundation. My tip is to hold the black cap when you shake and shake it upside down vigorously. This for me is the fastest way to mix it up. I find that the texture on my combination-dry skin is matte and dull and it oxidises quite quickly as it dries into firstly a peach then orange shade that isn’t flattering to my skintone. All in all, I’d say proceed with caution, and make sure you test this out properly over at least 2 hours before committing to a purchase, as it is expensive.
Pros: Compact plastic bottle makes it easy to store and travel with
Cons: Colour oxidises on my skin very quickly, Texture looks matte and dull and cakey on skin, Product separates very easily in the bottle and requires vigorous shaking to ensure they mix properly in the bottle, Pricey when it doesn’t work, Contains alcohol if you are sensitive
Who will like this: Anyone who can find a colour match, Anyone who is looking for a light textured liquid foundation although I personally think you could do better looking at Dior, Lunasol or RMK for similar textures
Do you like this foundation? Have you tried it?
If you do like this foundation, please feel free to share your thoughts. You know how I feel and personally, I’d look elsewhere for a good light textured foundation. The market place is replete with choices these days and many of them are much better than this one in my books. In fact, look at the Japanese brands – they make the best base products in the world as far as I’m concerned 🙂
Paris B
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup Price: RM156/S$75 Availability: All Chanel Counters and boutiques (B10 is not available in Malaysia)
I know Tine swears by it but I’ve given up trying to find a departmental store foundation here. I got this in B10 as a sample – the SA was very reluctant claiming it’s not my colour. It didn’t oxidise on me but it was patchy and dry and still too dark on my dry, pale wintry skin.
I always get matched the wrong colour here and Guerlain had the balls to STOP me from buying the lighter shade than recommended. I give up. Thanks for the review, glad to know I’m not the only who has no love for this
I used to swear by it but after a while, no more. A number of months after wearing this without any problems, it started to oxidise on my skin. An hour in, and my skin would be orange >.<
After a few more attempts, I gave up. The orange look just isn't me, summer or not. It's a pity because it did start off very well for me.
Yikes! So it oxidised on you too! Orange is so not a natural skin tone LOL
Here in Germany, they love to “match” me to darker foundation so I don’t look as “ghastly”. Needless to say, no German SA comes near my face again.
From what I can understand, in the West, everyone’s being match to a shade darker while in the East, everyone’s going a shade lighter. Whatever happened to just wearing your actual shade?!
Anyway Bourjois owns Chanel so back to Bourjois we go! 😀
Wish I could say the same, but I tried a couple of Bourjois foundations and they didn’t work on my skin 🙁
Exactly! 😀
I do like it. It sets to a semi matte finish on my skin. I use B20, which is a perfect match for me. I have since however; found a more beautiful foundation for my normal/combination skin with oily T-zone and that is Lingerie De Peau by Guerlain. Have you tried this? Its such a lovely silky cream, you have to get a sample and let me know what you think. It just makes my skin look very flawless without feeling heavy on my skin. The Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua has a tendency to settle into my fine lines but Guerlain one doesn’t.
Will have to try this out. Guerlain always produce fine stuffs. 🙂
Its good to know this Chanel one worked for you 🙂 I have tried the Guerlain Lingerie de Peau (reviewed here) and I love it too! I’ve tried another Guerlain foundation and like that one too but I can’t recall the name now.
I love my VLA when I want something that’s very light, and just to even out my skin tone. My skin is normal, sometimes combination oily on my T-zone, and that’s why I don’t notice any dry patches. In fact, the finish is good for me, because it keeps me shine free 🙂 It’s a pity it didn’t work on you though.
I use B10 and BO20. BO20 is darker and yellower. Since the texture is so sheer, it didn’t really make a whole lot of difference to be honest.
Oh, also, true that you gotta shake it like crazy. I had the same experience, but it’s ok now that I know I have to shake it long and hard. I don’t have the problem with messy nozzle tho…
Good to know it works for you so well and sorry to hear Bourjois foundations don’t work for you. The sheer texture might have worked, if it didn’t then turn orange on my skin 🙁 As it stands, I guess I didn’t quite appreciate looking like I had a bad tan job LOL!
I’ve tried this first . One thing I didn’t like about it was the scent! Too heavy & floral for me . But thank god it goes away after application. Texture & coverage was good. I settled for B10 and went with a lighter shade setting powder. But when I found Bourjois serum foundation . I switched over. Half the price & I’m happy with the results. Just that I need to go SG to get my refill .
I much prefer the texture Bourjois serum foundation. Feels more comfortable on my slightly dry skin. So perhaps this Chanel foundation may work better on those with oilier skin 🙂
I ended my hunt for the foundation just recently…i found my match at Bobbi Brown ( Oil Free even finish compact)!! The MALE SA helped me to pick out 2 shades, which i was quite skeptical because it was a MALE SA with severly trimmed brows. But to my surprise, both shades were very close and finally i picked a Natural 4. I always have issue with the foundation appearing too light on the face and i cannot blend it to my neck color, but this Bobbi Brown was able too. SGD$69 for a cream compact and a little goes a loooong way. Love it love it love it!! Anyone a fan out there? I guess some foundation have pinkish or yellowish undertones thats why it looks good when you put it on but 10mins later, you look completely different.
Thanks for sharing, Esther 🙂 I haven’t tried any Bobbi Brown foundation because most of them look too yellow on me. I don’t have very strong yellow tones in my skin so wearing a yellow toned foundation can look fake on me, but its good to know that you love it and have found a foundation to suit your skintone! 🙂
I have to say that I never tried liquid version, only compact and it never oxidised on my skin. Its surprising because I think most of people rave about this one. I love compact version because it melts into skin and is really light, I already see the pan and in a way I wont miss it, nothing extraordinary, now I would love to try Guerlain foundation.
Yep! So many raves for this when I looked online that I was puzzled why I didn’t like it LOL I’m a little afraid to try the compact version now after this experience. Even the powder foundation oxidised on my skin and I rarely experience oxidisation. Maybe the formula just doesn’t work for me 🙂 I do love Guerlain’s foundations though. Really nice!
Looking at the product itself, I have this feeling that it’s going to be moisturizing! Thanks for the review, dry and patchy isn’t for me for sure! I agree with you re: Japanese base!!! I LOVE RMK!! I finally bought a whole bottle!
Yay for RMK! I love their foundation. Have you tried their new Creamy Foundation that comes with a pump? I have it but haven’t tried it and I’m told that its really nice and moisturizing on skin 😀
No! I haven’t tried it! I just bought the full sized bottle from a seller who bought extras from Singapore! 🙂 Will look into that once I’m done with this 😀
I will stick to Bourjois and Shu Uemura!
I wish we got Bourjois here if only for the foundations 😛
I was also matched with B10 when I looking around at their foundations. I didn’t particularly love this foundation either… i did notice the oxidizing. Chanel makes other better foundations so I think this one is just bleh! lol
Oh good, I’m not hallucinating about the oxidization 😛 I am a little afraid to try other Chanel foundations now – which other have you tried and liked?
I have B30 and I love it! ^.^ It does oxidize on me, ever so slightly, for some reason though, but only after the 8th hour and like what Lily said, since it’s so sheer it doesn’t matter. But on days when I prefer a more… solid texture I head for my MAC Pro Longwear foundie, heh heh!
Good to know it works for you Hanny. I suppose on my skin any signs of it turning darker doesn’t bode well because then it doesn’t match my neck and that is seriously awkward LOL!
No love from me either. I’ve tried 3 different shades for this foundation, and just can’t find a freaking match. They are either too pink or too orange or too dark. And I honestly don’t like the finish of this on me (sorry, please don’t throw rotten tomatoes at me). It made me look too glowy, I almost look like a walking light bulb. I have combo skin and I’ve never had foundation looking like that on me before. I prefer the NARS Sheer Glow and Dior Nude over this.
Sorry Chanel, no love for your foundation. Love their skincare though, but not the price.
No one’s going to toss rotten tomatoes at you because they’d hit me first! 😉 I sort of regret not picking up Nars Sheer Glow when I had the chance. I guess I’ll have to hunt it down somewhere and give it a go. So many raves for that one!
never tried this before. I don’t use cream foundations at all. only tinted sunblock or BB cream.
Hi ladies…
I had just ventured into makeup and recently tried kanebo water gel Foundation and double wear by estee Lauder… both gave me the dry cakey look,settling into the pores and creases… I am wondering why as they have such good reviews…
Will be heading to dior and shu uemura Soon to try their foundation…
I haven’t yet tried the Double Wear foundation but I love Lunasol Water Gel because its so light on skin. I do use only a very thin layer because the coverage is pretty good for me and it doesn’t settle. That said, maybe it works differently on different people, since so many people love this Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation and I don’t 🙂
Hi Paris, can I ask which texture of the Lunasol foundation you are using? I was told by the SA that there are 3 types- Liquid, cream & one more that slipped by mind. Am so eager to try this or EL’s Double Wear! 🙂
I use the Water Gel one. I’m also about to try the Modelling Cream one that comes in a pump bottle. It’s thicker than the water one but not as thick as the cream
I can’t use this in the summer because it doesn’t do the oil control or lasts long enough for Taiwan’s hot and humid weather, but during fall’s cooler weather it’s been quite good. I haven’t found that it oxidizes on me and I actually like how matte it is.
Hmm… maybe its our weather that causes it to oxidise on my skin? Since its all humid here most of the time. Still, I guess its one of those things that either work or don’t work 😉
I don’t like this either hence I never gotten around to reviewing it. lol
Haha good to know I’m not alone! 😉
I love Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua…! But I dislike Lunasol’s Water Gel Foundation….emphasized my dry patches. I think perhaps it all boils down to skin type. For very oily ladies, Chanel works like a dream…
That’s perfectly true – different skin types will handle different foundations better 🙂 Good to know the Chanel one works for you 🙂
so many people raved about this! have yet to try out the Bourjois, regretted that i didn’t pick it up when we went last time 🙁 am still liking BB skin foundation, which gives the dewy finish.
You HAVE to try Bourjois. Go and bribe Bee to help you pick one up. It’s fantastic and cheap-ish and it works through spring, summer, autumn, winter. Go! Go! Go!
Oh you have to try Bourjois! Wait till it goes on sale then get one of our SG mules to pick it up 😉
Oh bummer–that’s too bad, I’ve heard so many good things too! Maybe it would work better for my oily skin. I’ve heard it contains quite a bit of alcohol, which could be the reason for the drying effect. But if it oxidizes that much on you, I can’t imagine how orange my face would be by the end of the day :/
I lost my box with the ingredient list but I have come across people saying that its got high alcohol content which could very well cause the draying effect on skin. I just couldn’t handle turning orange. So not my colour LOL!
No love for Chanel foundations..makes me look ghastly! I’ll just stick to Bourjois healthy mix serum & for nights EL Long wearing foundation….
I have only tried a compact powder and this liquid one and both didn’t work for me. I know the latest rave is for Perfection Lumiere but I’m terrified to try it now 😛