After 2.5 years of not wearing makeup, and then having to head back into society again (albeit hesitantly), I came to an awful realization. My makeup was only fit for a museum.

All the lovely bottles and powders I had had expired, or were in varying stages of expiry. It was a bit of a rude awakening, I must say.

It isn’t to say of course, that I wasn’t going to use some of the products – I operate within tolerances and I push my luck 😛 – but I saw a foundation in the No. 1 de Chanel range and I thought “I want that!”

So, when the opportunity arose for me to test it out in person, I caved and got a bottle of the No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation. It was quite gratifying for me to find out that my shade remained the same! LOL!

It’s also been one of my better beauty buys to date! 😀

No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation

As part of the No. 1 de Chanel range of products, the Red Camellia flower features in the No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation as well.

RELATED READING: Learn more about the No. 1 de Chanel range READ HERE

The liquid foundation is enriched with red camellia oil to comfort the skin and maintain its protective barrier. In fact, the No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation is formulated with skincare benefits, which makes it more than just makeup – just how I like my bases!

Light-Medium Coverage is comfortable on skin

To be honest, it took me a little while to get back into the groove of wearing a foundation – that’s what 2.5 years of staying at home does to you! But when the opportunity permits, I like to put on a little makeup, just to keep my hand in.

I found the coverage of the No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation to be light-medium. It isn’t as light as say the Water Fresh Tint (which I still love!) but the coverage and texture isn’t as high nor thick as the Les Beiges Healthy Glow liquid foundation either. I find it to fall somewhere in the middle.

Best applied using fingers

While you can apply it using a brush or sponge if you like, I liked the effect best when I use my fingers. I find that a little goes a long way (if you’re looking for a light coverage finish), and the warmth of your fingers helps the product spread better and meld better with the skin.

It does feel a little like a moisturiser, so spreading it is easy, and it stays nicely on the skin.

Natural, luminous finish

What I love about it is the natural, luminous finish I get. It doesn’t cover things like pigmentation or things like that. You’d need a much higher coverage product. You can try layering over troubled areas, to build coverage, but you’d be better off using a concealer, or a high coverage foundation. What it can do is neutralize and cover redness, and give you a more neutral, even-toned appearance all over.

I like the very natural look, because that’s what I look for in a foundation. No heavy powdery look or feel, and a weightless feel. It was a very nice welcome back to the world of makeup! 😀

Does it last long?

I guess it depends. If you have a full face of makeup, where you conceal and set with powder, it can last quite long on the skin.

If you just apply a thin layer, just to even out skin tone, and aren’t outside, sweating, or aren’t expecting your makeup to last for a full work day in the office, then it isn’t as long lasting. It doesn’t oil up nor get greasy on my dry skin, nor does it sink into lines or pores.

My skin looks even and nice, even up close, and that makes me happy 🙂

For me, it’s sufficient, as I only wear makeup for events now – meeting people, lunches, events etc. So I don’t expect my base to last a full 8-10 hour day. It lasts me 2-3 hours, and that’s quite enough for me.

I do find that it will fade as the day wears on, as does most makeup except for the longest wearing ones, so that’s something you’d want to keep in mind, if you prefer something longer lasting.

But people say it’s an awful foundation!

I have noticed that some people don’t like it, complaining that it settles into lines or that it offers no coverage. I think much of it is to do with your expectation of a foundation and your preference.

The No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation is by no means a high coverage foundation. I’d lean to it being a little light on coverage. But that works for me, and I like that in foundation. I don’t go for thick, heavy coverage, as I prefer my natural skin to come through. Many people don’t. If you don’t, this isn’t for you.

As for the settling into lines, I’d hazard a guess that they’re applying too much product, or using a brush to apply. I personally find that using fingers spreads the product well, and gets it well and truly melded with the skin, instead of it sitting on top of the skin. This, I find, coupled with using a little more product that necessary, causes it to sink and settle into lines on skin.

I’m in my late 40’s but don’t have very prominent lines, but have older skin of course. I don’t have trouble with this product. Under harsh sunlight, no makeup looks good. Most indoor lighting is more forgiving. So, for me, this foundation works, and works well for my preference, and the way I use and like to use my foundation products.

Shades are true to Chanel

I wear B10 in the No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation, which is consistent for all my foundation shades in the brand. If you are thinking of buying online, or don’t have a Chanel counter near you where you can test, and know your shade in Chanel, you can quite confidently buy your usual shade, and it’ll work.

While I acknowledge that this isn’t the cheapest foundation in the market, nor necessarily the best or highest coverage product, I do enjoy using it. The texture is comfortable and suits my preference. The lighter coverage suits me, and I find you don’t need very much each time. I only pump half a pump each time I use (with a light hand), and it’s more than enough for me.

This is the only foundation I’m using for the moment (because it’s the newest and freshest 😛 ) and I forsee it to be that way for a while 🙂

IN A NUTSHELL

The No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation is a new foundation under the No. 1 de Chanel range of products. The signature extracts from the red camellia flower, that is an underlying theme through the range is present in the form of the red camellia oil. The foundation is comfortable on dry skin, without cracking or settling into lines. It doesn’t get greasy nor oily, and applies like a moisturiser. The coverage is light-medium, covering redness and just giving you a nice evened skintone. For me, it works and that’s more than enough!

PROS:
Light-medium natural coverage
Covers redness without looking cakey
Does not get greasy nor settle in lines (in my experience)

CONS:
Pricey
People may find it too light in coverage

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes a light-medium coverage foundation, with a natural finish

PRICE: RM320 | US$70 for 30ml

WHERE TO BUY: Chanel beauty stores and counters, Chanel online (MY), Chanel USA, Ulta

Have you tried the No. 1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation?

I personally love it, as you can tell. But I know it isn’t for everyone, especially if you’re into something with higher coverage. If your foundations have expired over the past few years, and you’re looking for a bit of a splurge, I guess you could do worse! 😉

Paris B