Chanel Pro & Mat Lumiere Foundation

I really think that foundation is worth spending a bit of time finding the right one - it can impact on the condition of your skin and I refuse to slap any old rubbish on my face. For years I have swung between Benefit's Playstick, Bobbi Brown stick foundation and Bare Minerals. Actually am a huge fan of minerals for personal use but find that sometimes they don't mix well on days when my skin is particularly oily and the kabuki brushes can irritate my skin if I'm having a bit of a breakout.

About 4 months ago, I picked up a bottle of Pro Lumiere (in complete denial about my oily skin) for £28 from my local chanel counter. I love love love this foundation - I love the consistency and the beautiful finish it leaves on the skin. A light dusting of powder and et voila! However, for those with oily skin, this is not a feasible day to day foundation - I had to re-powder at least 4 times a day or it would very quickly look oily. I then discovered that if I didn't moisturise prior to using it, it would set perfectly. That lasted about 3 days before I started breaking out in dry sore spots. So if you have 'normal' skin, then the Pro will be perfect for you. If you have dry skin, try Pro or Vitalumiere. If you have oily skin like me, then Mat will prob be best.

I had somehow managed to convince myself that the Mat was 2nd best to Pro (I don't know why) and resisted buying it. But last week, I finally conceeded defeat and got a bottle in 05 (a PERFECT match for my skin). Now, I can moisturise and use the Mat and get a perfectly dewy, non-shiny finish and I'm not hating on my skin type.

It is much less runny than Pro - the one on the left is Mat, on the right is Pro. But, once you're applying with a brush, it smooths and glides in the same way as the Pro.

This is how much I wanted to press home that Chanel foundations are awesome - I've posted a pic of me wearing NO make-up!!

Before (moisturised only!)
These are the 'after' pics. The only addition, other than the foundation is a slick of mascara, white liner and lip balm. No powder - not required with the Mat.

Now I was also asked if I could do a post on 'how to' apply foundation. I'd love to, but I don't think the pics would sufficiently do it justice and there's no way I'm doing a vid!! FashionFaceTV have a brilliant tutorial on foundation application and actually it's done using Mat Lumiere, so if you're interested check it out here

My only tips would be... If you're going to use your fingers, make sure they're clean. If you're using a brush and find it leaves streaks, try applying your moisturiser with your brush and then using the same one for foundation. Try 'cross-hatching' where you brush the foundation in lots of different directions, or try lightly buffing in small circular motions.