Chanel

Chanel Pro Lumiere Professional Finish Makeup SPF 15 ($54) This is an oil-free liquid foundation that provides a medium-to-full coverage with a semi-matte finish. I was matched best to Beige 40.

• Pros: The texture is a slightly thicker than normal liquid foundation. Comes with a pump. I have gone through a full bottle but couldn’t remember why I never repurchased. I got another sample recently to see if I could figure why. The upside is you can easily control coverage depending on how much you layer. The finish is just as described “semi-matte” but you do need to set with powder.
• Cons: I found this heavily scented, can’t quite put my finger on the smell, but it’s sweet which is something I wasn’t a huge fan of. Although this is described as medium to full, I found it more on the full side. I also found it a bit too heavy on the skin. If you have medium to dry with fuller coverage then I think this is a formula you will like. I found it too full and a bit fake looking even after blending it out with a sponge.
  

Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 ($46) Described on Dior.com containing, “40% Active Mineralized water, this fluid foundation offers a fresh and hydrating finish.” I’ve heard non-stop raves about this one so I decided I had to try it.

• Pros: Lightweight, flawless finish, nice liquid texture, lasts all day. No allergic reaction. Blends easily to cover the skin naturally. Feels amazing. Softly scented but not overpowering. Keeps skin non-oily. What’s not to love?
• Cons: Color selection is odd. I’ve tried 20, 21 and 30 – all of which are slightly off. The benefit of the natural coverage is that I’ve been able to get away with both 20 and 21 – but I think my perfect match would be if I custom blended 20+21+30 (and not in equal proportions). I love everything except the color selection. I’ve found this typical of other Dior Tinted Moisturizers and Foundations. Perhaps I just need to sit down with my artist and try all the shades.
  

Dolce & Gabbana Powder Foundation ($59) I do not have immediate in person access to Dolce & Gabbana. Those who have read my Dolce & Gabbana posts know I can’t rave enough about Nikki from Saks Houston. She matched me over the phone when I told her my Chanel shade. PERFECT match! I used 140 Tan in the summer and currently use 100 Warm.

• Pros: Full but natural velvety coverage. It’s truly versatile. I apply with the sponge (dry) over foundation or with a brush to set my liquid foundation. I can apply alone over my serum/primer. I can use for touchups during the day. Long lasting and no detectable scent. Comes with a separate bottom compartment to store the sponge. This is my new holy grail powder foundation twin to Chanel’s DPF.
• Cons: Hard to find any, but the price tag of $59 is pretty steep. The gold packaging gets fingerprints and can get messy looking easily but it’s sturdy and after a while it’s not something I notice.

Laura Mercier Crème Smooth ($50) I received a sample at a Nordstrom Trend Show in Sunny Beige and Vanilla Beige. They were featuring this one with a hard sell describing it as the perfect lightweight cream that has full coverage “without visibly settling into fine lines”(quoted lauramercier.com exactly!) The model looked flawless so practically EVERYONE in the crowd was intrigued (screaming with excitement is a better description).

• Pros: Great color selection. I tried several and there were several shades I could have gone with. Provides natural finish and looks great … for 1 hour. It has a nice texture and blends well on the skin. I wish I could have loved this one. It’s thicker and creamy like in a pot. The amount of product you get for the price seems generous in my opinion.
  
• Cons: I equate this to Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation which looks great right after the application. Makes me look glowing and flawless but after 1-2 hours, I end up a greasey mess. It did settle into the fine lines in my face (and I don’t have many wrinkles yet). Definitely not long lasting. Perhaps just too heavy for my skin type. I know many have raved about it. If you like Chantecaille’s Future Skin (which I did not) then try this LM out.
  

Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment ($125) This is perhaps one of the most raved about miracle-workers for tinted moisturizers/face treatments. I was eager to try this out as I have not read a single bad review. I tried this in both shades on numerous occasions (in early July, mid-July, early September, and November).

• Pros: The only upside I could find is that it has a luminous finish which gives an all over glow. Oh, it also comes with a pump. The packaging isn’t bad either.
  
• Cons: I may be the only one who hasn’t liked this. Everyone I’ve spoken to loves this, but it made my skin worse. The texture dried to a thick uneven finish. It didn’t blend well on my face. I found the luminous quality too luminous and sparkly. Gave me reddish areas on the face with bumps around the hairline. Felt really difficult to clean off – it’s the type of product I had to slather cleansing oil all over, wash, then use my regular cleanser +rinse twice, and then use my toner to really feel clean. Perhaps it’s just not made for 29-year old normal-sensitive skin. Anyone else try this? Please share your experiences!
  

Make Up Forever Face & Body Liquid Makeup ($38) Another much-raved-about foundation. I loved the MAC Face & Body Foundation finish (so lovely) but within 2 days I developed cystic acne. I decided to try the MUFE version from Sephora. I was matched by a Sephora rep and I am disappointed to say I feel like I was unprofessionally matched. She just grabbed a random shade and said, “This looks good.” I asked her if she knew what the difference was between MUFE’s foundations and she said “they’re all matte, but this one is the most matte, I just LOVE this foundation.” Say what? How could this be the most matte when there is another one called Mat Velvet? I’ll keep my negative thoughts about Sephora reps to myself. There are definitely plenty of good things about Sephora.

• Pros: Natural gel like finish. The one she used on me looked liquidy and felt a little like jelly. I wasn’t sure if it was just the tester or the real product, but it felt nice on the skin. It looked natural and felt slightly dewy.
• Cons: I found the coverage too sheer and this foundation is simply too heavily scented for me. I couldn’t stand the smell. My skin developed a bumpy rash (odd because there was no red, just lots of bumps) within 30 minutes. I tried this several times at home to see if perhaps I didn’t have properly prepped skin. No luck. Don’t write this off – if you can try it at Sephora, I still recommend looking into it. They have a wide color selection. Chances are you’ll have to find a good match on your own though.
  

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua (to be released in March in the US) I was lucky to get a couple sample packets included in Japanese magazines. This is supposed to replace the Teint Innocence Liquid. I was a bit skeptical but I did have a little bit of faith in Chanel. With the discontinuation of Teint Innocence Liquid (big mistake in my mind), this will be the THIRD time Chanel has discontinued my Holy Grail Foundation (Teint Fluide Universel and the original DPF powder have both been long discontinued).

• Pros: Thin texture allows a little to go a long way. This is less dewy than Teint Innocence but gives a similar flawless naturally soft finish. Coverage is sheer to medium (more on the medium side). I think I have found my new Holy Grail!!! It’s like if Lift Lumiere and Teint Innocence had a baby with a slightly thinner texture. Coverage is perfect in my opinion. I’ve set with powder but I think you could get away without using powder on top. LOVE!!!
  
• Cons: Not sure if I can find any. I got samples of #20 which I found a tad too light, but still looked pretty good in undertone. I hope it’s not too pricey (as in please be under $50). I’m still very VERY VERY sad Teint Innocence is being pulled from their product lineup.