Chanel Perfection Lumiere Review and Swatches

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Swatches Ambre 104,134 and 154 on hand

Thanks to Karlasugar.net, I first heard of Chanel's new Perfection Lumiere Foundation. I stopped into Saks Fifth Ave and Simone helped me explore the new line.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Ambre 104, 134 and 154 Swatches

 Perfection Lumiere is described as a naturally looking, everyday long wear foundation suitable for all skin types and the first foundation by Chanel to have a range of 20 shades.
Out of the 20, there are about 5 shades that are great for women of color that are in the Ambre category: Ambre 94, 104, 114, 134 and 154. The numerical value of these shades are no indication of the shade depth in this range. For instance, as seen in the photo at the top, Ambre 104 fits me well but when I tried Ambre 114 it was about 2 shades lighter (more yellow) on my skin.
I found that Ambre 134 had a red undertone and Ambre 154 had a brown neutral undertone and my shade match, Ambre 104 has an orange undertone.
After testing the swatches on my face ( I actually walked around the whole evening with them on) I didn't get the sense that I was wearing anything on. Usually after 2-3 hours, I can feel the effects of coverage as my skin gets oily but I didn't have a problem here, so far. I will need to test it when I go a full day and with more coverage.
Overall I'm impressed so far, its tough because summer is winding down and typically Fall is when my skin calms down where as Summer was not a great moment for wearing foundation at all but I'd be curious to see if Perfection Lumiere can stand the NYC heat and humidity.
I hope that the shade range is just a taste of whats to come for Chanel Beauty in relation to its facial cosmetic line.

Lacroix's Best of Beauty- Foundation

Allure has theirs, so does Instyle, Shape and Seventeen.. but none of these has anything to do with...me!
What do I have for you? after some time gathering data, pestering MUA's, deciphering differences between chocolate and cocoa, , picking up color palettes, swatching lippies and leaving remnants on my hands.

Let's start with the Base-ics..Foundation!



1. Nars Balanced Foundation
It takes the cake for base, since it has relaunched this summer with 5 beauty of color friendly tones for 16 shades to choose from. The coverage has been everything I had hoped for in a foundation, buildable, moisturizing sans the greasies and has vitamin's A&E. I personally take into account that whether I am in natural light or in photos, the titanium dioxide doesn't sneak up and make you an ash clown.
Who else loves NARS? Leighton Meister and America Ferrera...nice.

2. Maybelline Mineral Power Foundation
Does the job without breaking the bank also available in 16 shades and is available everywhere! A great grab and go for late night.

3. Makeup Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation
An extensive selection of shades (25) makes this one #3 on my list.

I heart Nars' new Foundation shades!

Um, Can I say that I lurve the shade range of the Nars Balanced and Oil-Free foundation?

I do, I do!

With MAC, I'm roughly NW43/45, Face and Body Foundation N8/N9. With Nars, the shades are not just on a Neutral, Warm and Cool scale but factors in light, medium and dark brown tones plus the foundation names help with how they coordinate with your skin, hence Trinidad would be a shade similar to the peoples of origin.

After a Sephora.com order before checking the store ( I assumed they wouldn't have it.. but was pleasantly surprised). My shade is Benares and it is fantastic! I've been using it for roughly a week and the Balanced foundation gives me a dewy glow without the horrific greasies.

I ordered New Guinea which will be great for the wintery months.

I encourage the darker skin mamas to check out these shades and tell me what you think.

Nars' New (deep) foundation shades!

Benares



Trinidad

What a difference a few months make! Back in February, Aja Mangum wrote a great article in NYmag.com on her foundation finding adventures at the most sought after cosmetics lines, many of which I discuss here.

Lo and behold, someone answered our prayers at Nars!
I was told today (at the Nordies Cosmetics Trendshow no less) by Nars artist Jennifer that there are new shades to suit deep skintones. Yay! Unfortunately, Nordies didn't carry them

 (and sadly Hawaii is too red on me) but, Sephora did!

Though the stores my get some in a few weeks, you can check out New Orleans, New Guinea, Benares,Trinidad and Tortuga on here.


Photos: Sephora.com

Info on the Spring Trendshow coming soon!

Giorgio Armani's Face Fabric Review

How I love thee..let me count the ways!

I am enamored by this foundation, GA's face fabric is light, airy and unlike anything I have seen on the market ( both high and low).

The texture is texture-less and the coverage is light. The color range is a plus considering 3 of the shades are highlighters. I didn't have to face the dreaded in between shades factor because number 8 was too red but number 6 was seamless.
Is this the first foundation that I don't have to mix? Yes.
I can definitely see myself basking in the summer with this and bundling for fall with it too!
I give it a 10 out of 10..stellar!

Revlon Custom Creations Foundation

Ted Gibson created a shampoo and conditioner that you can customize. Now you can customize your foundation!
Revlon's Custom Creations Foundation allows you to "dial" your prefect shade by just a swivel of the top.
I am curious to try after seeing this in my local target because I haven't tried Revlon's foundations due to the fact that they are in-between shades.

Photo:walmart.com