After I went through 2 rounds of intensive cushion foundation testing and comparisons (Korean and Western and how they stack up against each other), I swore I’d not feature another cushion. I don’t even wear them regularly, and when I do wear them, here’s the spoiler – give me a good Korean cushion any day. My preference is Hera and Sulwhasoo.
As it turns out, the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation isn’t technically a cushion, so I get around my self-imposed rule LOL!
When I first showed the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation on Instagram, I received quite a few requests to share some thoughts on it, and I promised I would, so here it is, after about a month of playing with it. Foundation or makeup testing doesn’t usually take this long with me, but I had to figure out certain things about this one.
One of the plus points I can see is that Chanel hasn’t called this a “cushion foundation” even though it LOOKS like a cushion foundation. It comes in a sturdy square compact, with a pop-out refill pod and sponge applicator. It just screams “CUSHION FOUNDATION” at you, but that’s really where the similarity ends.
When you open the cover of the product inside, you are faced not with a foundation soaked sponge cushion, but a fine mesh that holds the slightly creamy textured foundation within. I’m quite tempted to cut open the mesh to see what’s in there, but it is a waste of a product, so I’ll do that when I’m almost finished, and update if I do :P
If you come a little closer, you may see the fine mesh netting I mean, that covers the pod. Does it look messy? Yes it does. I intentionally did not clean this up, because I’m afraid this is what will happen once you peel off the seal (the brand new pod comes sealed) and start using the product.
It will “leak” around the rim of the product and get onto the cover. It does not leak out of the pod (so far) but it won’t look very pleasant. Clean it up after each use if you like. But I had to show you how it looks so there are no surprises.
Here’s how it looks when the product is dismantled.
It is pretty much a cushion foundation system right? The compact is very sturdy and I like how it feels, with a full size mirror in the cover. The pod refills are sold separately with, I believe, a sponge. Being Chanel, the whole contraption oozes luxury, from the satisfying soft click when you close the compact, to the beige cover and the interlocking C logo.
The applicator is a sponge, which is quite soft, but has a lovely texture, with a slight rubbery feel, just like the Korean ones. It picks up product quite easily, and deposits it nicely on skin. Use a patting/dabbing or better yet, a press-and-roll motion for best results. I like the cushion and I recommend using the cushion.
Chanel also released a Retractable Foundation Brush, that you see in the first picture above, together with this foundation, as it is said you can use it as well. I tried both methods, and I prefer using the sponge. Not only is it quicker, it gives a more even finish. The brush is quite a good brush (I’ll feature it separately) but I find it makes this foundation go on too “wet” and too sheer, and I don’t quite like that.
You see, despite what all the magazines will tell you, the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation is, at best, a very light, to light coverage foundation. There is no way you can bring up coverage to medium level, without piling on the product, and when you do that, it is too tacky.
Chanel calls this a “Gel Touch Foundation” and I have to say that the texture is quite interesting. It has a liquid feel (56% water!), but isn’t runny. When patted on my skin, I experience a cool feel on my skin. Coverage however, is very very light. This is truly best for someone who already has good skin, or who just wants to even out a touch of redness, or who wants to pat on a little touch up in the day. There is a “glow” to it, but you risk looking oily in our warm weather.
Let me show you how it looks when I wear it.
On left, bare skin with just skincare and non-tinted sunscreen. On right, I have the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation in No. 20. It is worth noting that I usually wear shade No. 10 in Chanel foundations. However, this one is so sheer, No. 20 is fine on me.
I initially thought that it oxidised on me, but it turns out it doesn’t. I think I just had too much bronzer on that day LOL! But if you notice from the pictures above, there is hardly any coverage to the product. It just about evens out my skintone, and covers up some redness, but that’s about it. What I usually do is apply some concealer and then some powder to set, and to help add some coverage.
I have normal-dry skin and I live where it’s hot and humid. While I won’t say this foundation slides off, it is so sheer, that it doesn’t really last on me. I won’t pick this one if you want a foundation that actually helps with coverage. But if you want something for the weekend, or perhaps after the gym, or just to run errands, this may suit your needs. But then, so does a more affordable cushion foundation. Sorry, Chanel. Good try, but not exactly hitting all the right spots for me.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation SPF 25 PA+++ compact foundation has a water-gel formula, in a compact, with a fine mesh cover. Dab the included sponge on the surface of the mesh to pick up product and pat/dab or use a press and roll technique to apply, for best results. I find the sponge offers the best application technique and it is quite a good applicator. The foundation on the other hand, is very very sheer in coverage. So, it works best for someone with good skin, or who only wants to touch up a little redness. You can’t really build it up very much. It gives skin a “glow” which can look oily in warm, humid weather or on oily skin. I find that it fades quite quickly, so it truly is best for someone who only wants something very natural and not much else.
PROS: Evens out redness, Sturdy packaging, Refills sold separately, Good sponge applicator
CONS: Very very sheer in coverage, Pricey
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who prefers a mere tint of colour on skin and a very lightweight formula
PRICE: RM210 for case and refill RM160 per refill | £43 for case and refill | US$60 for case and refill
SHADES AVAILABLE: Beige 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, Beige Rose 12, 22
WHERE TO BUY: Chanel beauty boutiques and counters, Chanel online
Here is the ingredient list for the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation.
I noticed that the products released for Asia and Europe bear the same name that you see here, and sport a SPF25 PA+++ rating. However, the USA version calls this a Les Beiges Healthy Glow Tint Broad Spectrum SPF15 sunscreen. I’m not sure if they are the same thing, but if they are, the US name is more accurate, as this is but a tint of colour on your skin.
Yet, I’m confused if the USA is marketing it as a sunscreen, because if they are, SPF15 is pretty laughable in terms of UV protection. No need to get all hoity-toity with me. I don’t personally think it’s sufficient, no matter what anyone says, but hey, that’s me :P So, putting them side by side, I’d say the rest of us in Asia and Europe are getting a much better deal :P
Have you tested this Chanel gel touch foundation? What did you think?
It was just launched in mid-June 2017, so it’s still fairly new. Go have a play at the counters and tell me what you think of it, or if you have, tell me! I’m curious to know if you like it :)
Paris B
I like sheer coverage foundations but I think my skin might be too oily for this formula. Thanks for the detailed review, Ms.P. At least I now know this isn’t for me.
Haven’t found a Chanel foundation I really like yet.
I like the Les Beiges liquid foundation. Quite nice. But I haven’t had luck with others especially the popular Vitalumiere Aqua, which oxidised on me. Boo!
I find that cushion foundation with mesh netting is way better than normal cushion as it doesn’t dries up. I have one recently from a Korean brand that is high coverage. Even when I take it out to use once in a while it still pumps out foundation from the mesh like new :D
Ooh really, I didn’t notice that. Maybe cos I don’t use many cushion type foundations haha! But it’s good to know this may last longer than a regular cushion :)
Thanks for reviewing this Paris B. I like sheer type coverage since I only need to even out my skintone. But for the price, I cringe and would pick up my Hera cushion instead.
Oh I love Hera’s cushion! Good choice :D
Thanks for the review–there aren’t many out there eon this, and I was curious. Did you ever try this on top of a regular foundation or tinted moisturizer? I have extremely dry skin and live in a dry climate, and so I’m wondering whether I could use it to provide added glow on top of another product on days when my dry skin desperately needs it–and then could use the cushion alone on happy skin days, as I do prefer sheer coverage.
As for other Chanel foundations, the only one that works for me–and I love it!!–is Vitalumiere (not Vitalumiere Aqua, just regular Vitalumiere). The formulation is perfect for my dry, sensitive skin. Even though it’s overly scented, like all Chanel products, it doesn’t irritate me (unlike the Vitalumiere Aqua that drove my skin MAD–perhaps from the alcohol?). Alas, the colors aren’t great for my pale, yellow skin–their colors are quite orange (at least the shades I’ve been able to try that are near to my skin tone). And the lightest color sold in the U.S. is barely light enough. So I use it because I adore the formulation, but I’m always on the hunt for something that matches me better. Sigh.
Glad you found it helpful :) I think it’s still very new, which is why it’s not being hyped up. Also, maybe people are a bit tired of cushions? haha I’m not sure. I have not tried it on top of another foundation, as I prefer not to layer bases that much. I have tried it on top of a primer, which seems to help with adherence and adds a little more colour. But I don’t do very high coverage bases, so I use this, and then use concealer where I need, and with a light dusting of powder, it works for me. I wouldn’t necessarily use this to add glow as such, but perhaps, if you would like to touch up your base through the day, this may help. It doesn’t look as flat, while helps to add some moisture and coverage.
I haven’t tried Vitalumiere although I’ve heard a lot of good things about it! Perfection Lumiere gets a lot of love too. But like you I tend to agree about their colour selection. Sometimes, B10 which is the lightest shade they have is also too warm (e.g. Vitalumiere Aqua) while it often works for me, I have to be careful. There are other brands out there that makes very nice foundation too. I hope you find one in a shade that matches you in a formula you love :)