Late last year, I had the privilege of trotting off to a media event for the launch of 2 new serums in the exlusive Chanel Sublimage range, which I shared with you in great depth here.
I also had the distinct privilege of trying out both new serums – the Sublimage l’Essence Fondamentale, which I’ve already shared, and the Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere.
I was using it for a month back in December, and sporadically since. I usually try new products for a month straight where possible to gauge its efficacy. Over time, I incorporate it as and when I need it, usually because there’s always something else going on.
There’s an intricate dance of products being used and tested that I can’t quite explain, but it’s all kept straight in my head, and I know how it works LOL Ah #lifeofablogger – not all glamorous, I assure you 😀
But onto the Chanel Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere – what is this and who might it be for?
What is the Chanel Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere?
The key ingredient anthyllis vulneraria (kidney vetch) sits at the heart of the L’Essence Lumiere. It is a medicinal plant for healing wounds that flowers, gathered in the months of June-September and then dried for extraction.
What this plant extract does, we are told, is target SESTRINE-2 to boost skin resistance to oxidative stress, and regulates skin pigmentation. The result, Chanel tells us, is a more even toned, more radiant skin tone. Just what every woman wants 🙂
The serums of course also employ the benefits of the Vanilla Planifolia plant extracts, which form the core of the Chanel Sublimage skincare range. This is the range that sits at the pinnacle of the Chanel – and priced accordingly 😉 So, clutch your pearls to your chest, ladies! 😀
RELATED READING: More information about the new Chanel Sublimage serums can be found here, based on interviews with the Chanel Ingredients and Innovations Director
What does the Chanel Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere do for me?
Do note that I can only describe how it felt for me. Also note that I am a blogger and skincare enthusiast, relating my anecdotal experience with the product, not a scientist.
First, the packaging is sublime as befits the brand and its attendant price tag. The glass bottle is frosted, with a sturdy matte gold cap and a well made pump.
Texture of the serum – who might like it
The serum itself is thick, like a lotion. Due to its texture and where it sits in Chanel’s range of products, I will say that this is one targeted at someone who has drier, more matured type skin.
The lotion texture will be too heavy for anyone with oily or combination skin types, and it may not feel so comfortable. However, if you are truly curious, there is absolutely nothing to stop you from taking a look! 🙂
For me, while the texture is a little thick, it suits me fine as I am of this category of skin type – tending to the dry. I find that it absorbs easily and quickly without any residue or greasiness.
What does it do?
Using it for a month, just in the day, I did not find it irritating to my skin, nor was it uncomfortable. It appeared to maintain my skin radiance and luminosity, which I have been treating and maintaining with Vitamin C serums. For the period that I was using this Chanel serum, I stopped all use of Vitamin C serums.
Happily, I did not detect any decrease in skin clarity or luminosity in that time. So I can say that it helped to ‘maintain’ the condition of my skin. However, if you have never used a Vitamin C serum product, I cannot say if this will help make your skin look brighter and clearer, as I am not in that position to say so.
I found it comfortable, my skin felt soft and looked about the same as when I was using a Vitamin C serum. Unlike most brightening skincare products, this was not drying. My skin did not end up any brighter, my pigmentation spots did not lighten any more than they already have, but it didn’t get worse.
RELATED READING: My approach to having pigmentation and why I have chosen to live with it – READ HERE
I do feel however, that due to the high price point, and the heavier texture, this will be a product that serves a rather more elite market, who are perhaps looking for something that gives them sensorial pleasure in both scent and texture, but more important, also does something beneficial for their skin.
For those who prefer something a little more science based, this will not be for you.
Can you use the Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere together with a Vitamin C serum?
If you might be wondering if you could substitute your Vitamin C serum with this one, the answer would be both yes and no 🙂
I actually asked the people from Chanel if it was similar to the effects of Vitamin C, since the Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere is also called the Ultimate Light-Revealing Concentrate.
As explained by Armelle Sourand (Chanel International Director of Scientific Communications) the effects of the serum appears familiar to that of Vitamin C, but it offers a more global approach to skin luminosity. ‘Global’ here referring to a more comprehensive approach, in that it also strengthens skin with the Vanilla Planifolia plant extracts, keep skin hydrated with hyaluronic acid, strengthen and brighten skin with niacinamide and keep skin moisturized, all at the same time.
She did say that if I really wanted to, I could use them together. But I don’t, because I feel like it’s a bit of overkill 😛
Is it worth the money?
As I’ve gently prepared you throughout, Sublimage is Chanel’s top-range skincare that is quite intensive. It is therefore priced accordingly.
I never talk about worth, because that is something you have to decide for yourself. What I will say however, is that I will use this serum, because I have it.
Will I buy it however, is a weighted question. Personally, being a big advocate of Vitamin C serums, and having found them incredibly beneficial for my skin both in strengthening my skin and in maintaining skin luminosity and clarity, I’d find it hard to switch away. Also, I could buy many bottles of Vitamin C serum with the same money I’d spend on this serum.
I also don’t quite enjoy highly fragranced products, and like all Chanel products, this serum is fragranced. Like all products in the Sublimage range, it has a sweet, gourmand scent of fresh vanilla. It isn’t unpleasant, and is a tad lighter than in the Sublimage l’extrait de Creme but definitely all present.
It’s therefore not something I’d personally repurchase because I am happy with my substitutes. But if someone were to offer it to me, I’d never say no 😛
IN A NUTSHELL
The Chanel Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere Ultimate Light-Revealing Concentrate works to strengthen and brighten skin, so skin looks brighter and more luminous. The serum has a rather heavy texture like that of an emulsion. It sinks into skin quite nicely and feels comfortable. However, I’d suggest this for use by those with drier or more mature skin types. You can use it both day and night, but if you wish to use a serum targeted at aging, then use this one in the day time and the other at night. It is however rather strongly fragranced. With regular use, I found that it maintained my skin clarity and luminosity. However, because I have been consistently using Vitamin C serums throughout, I cannot say if it will brighten dull skin. Due to the texture, I’d target this for use by someone at least 35 years and over.
PROS:
Lightweight texture absorbs easily into skin
Luxurious packaging
Maintains my skin clarity and luminosity with regular useCONS:
Very pricey
Highly fragrancedWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who already uses Chanel or Sublimage skincare and who can afford the asking price
SUGGESTED USE: Cleanse -> Tone/Lotion -> Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere serum -> Moisturiser -> Sunscreen
PRICE: RM1,942 | US$450 | £350.00 for 40ml
WHERE TO BUY: Chanel beauty boutiques and counters
For those interested, this is the ingredient list for the Chanel Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere serum.
Ingredients: Aqua (water), Alcohol, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, Diglycerin, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Niacinamide, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Squalane, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Water, Faex (Yeast Extract), Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Anthyllis Vulneraria Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Pentylene Glycol, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Steareth-21, Propylene Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Xanthan Gum, Butylene Glycol, Polyglycerin-3, Sclerotium Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate, Propanediol, Polyquaternium-51, PEG-8, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Disodium EDTA, Tocopherol, Saccharide Isomerate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tin Oxide, Sodium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, CI 15985 (yellow 6), CI 19140 (yellow 5), CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Mica, Il26b
Does the price tag for the Sublimage l’Essence Lumiere serum have you clutching at your pearls in shock?
LOL! Don’t worry, that was my reaction when I first saw it too. So I have been very privileged to try it, and I savour every moment of it!
Paris B
I think my eyes went huge for the price and its ml! haha
I didn’t know the price originally. But when I found out, I was stunned 😀
I didn’t merely clutch my pearls. I almost fainted. Goodness gracious me! LMAO ?
LOL! Luxury is like that eh?
At that price range, wouldn’t anyone go for La Mer or La Prairie? I’m happy with Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Have you heard of Vitamin B for the skin, Paris?
It will certainly cater to the same people who would use La Mer or La Prairie. I cannot definitively say either is better than the other, because really, they serve a different category of people who I think consider not only efficacy, but aesthetics and brand as well. I have come across Vitamin B. There are different types, but the most commonly would be Niacinamide – Vit B3, Panthenol – Vit B5 and Vit B12.
have you seen the amount of vit C in this product??! There is heaps. The main ingredient is water followed by glycerin. Two very cheap products. So, in a nut shell, whether ¨star ingredients¨ need to do what they claim to is yet to be seen. Looking at the ingredient list you have the first 2 ingredients – cheap hydrators (water and glycerin) followed by a massive amount of vitamin C. A bit of a con if you ask me.