For years, I’ve been wearing the same exact concealer and foundation day in, day out: Neutrogena concealer, Clinique powder…And while both were effective and packed full of great ingredients (the Neutrogena concealer even contains green tea!), I had to admit, my routine was getting a bit yawn. I was starting to feel as bland as the beige color.
So imagine my enthusiasm when I recently saw Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation ($45.00). Let’s face it, almost nothing makes a girl feel as luxurious as Chanel, but their other foundations were traditionally heavier, full-coverage formulas. As with Chanel’s recent additions of lighter, younger fragrances like Chance and Coco Mademoiselle, the company significantly lightened their approach with Vitalumiere Aqua foundation. It actually feels like a serum as it glides across the skin (as it is a silicone-based suspension), and dries with a subtle sheen of light-reflective (talc, alumina) particles on the skin, making it appear more natural.
Ingredient Analysis: Is It Really Any Different?
The secret to Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation is its high concentration of methyl trimethicone and dimethicone. Many foundations developed over the past decade contain high amounts of cyclopentosiloxane, but methyl trimethicone and dimethicone are different. Methyl trimethicone and dimethicone have significantly faster drying time than cyclopentosiloxane, and also provide a much better “sensory profile” with improved skin feel, spreadability, emolliency, and likability amongst clients, according to research from Shin Etsu Silicones.
Perhaps the only fallback to the fact that Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation has a low cyclopentosiloxane content is the fact that it will not disguise fine lines and wrinkles as well as formulas with the silicone. The reason for this is that cyclopentosiloxane is more viscous than the other silicones, so it is able to temporarily “fill in” minor creases within the skin. Even though the other silicones in Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation will build when additional layers are applied, I’m not too enthusiastic about taking the time to apply numerous layers to wrinkled skin when other light reflective formulas that are heavier, such as Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, will do the trick in no time flat with one simple coat.
Bottom Line: A Woman’s Perfect First Luxury Foundation
Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation is like a training bra: It may look nice, but it doesn’t provide much coverage or support in the long run. Despite this, if you are blessed with great skin and are seeking a light-reflective formula to give your complexion an added boost, then this is the perfect formula for you. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever tried any products that reflect the light better than Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation and Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, and I have tried many, believe me. (!)
I personally think Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation would make the perfect gift for a special young woman in your life who is graduating from high school or college. Assuming her skin is in good condition (no acne, rosacea, etc.), Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation is light enough to cover her minor imperfections, is easy to blend and apply, and the Chanel name is definitely recognizable enough to give even the most non-materialistic girl a little confidence boost every time she uses it.
Bottom line: I’m a fan. Two heads-up: One, as Makeup Geek points out, you have to shake the bottle well before each use. Otherwise, it comes out with more clear silicone and less of the good stuff (color) in the emulsion. Two, it may be SPF 15, but I’d still advise wearing an broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 under the product. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone uses an SPF of at least 30 every day anyway, and Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation spreads so easily on the skin, it’s unlikely most people would apply enough to achieve an SPF 15 of protection, much less 30.  So even though it’s a hassle, I’d definitely suggest applying sunscreen first.  Despite this, I love, love, love it.  I think it’s the perfect foundation for anyone with great skin who is looking to achieve that perfect “finished” look without being too “done”.  Two big (foundation-shade stained) thumbs up.  🙂
Other reviews of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation from around the web from three trusted fellow beauty bloggers:
Ingredients in Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation
Active ingredients- Octinate 6% and Titanium Dioxide 5.6%
Other ingredients- Aqua (water), methyl trimethicone, alcohol, dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone, talc, butylene glycol, isododecone, polymethysisequioxane, acrylates/polytrimethlsilsesequioxane, acrylates/polytrimethysiloxymethacrylate copolymer, polymethyl methcrylate, peg-10/15 crosspolymer, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, phenoxyehtanol, c9-15, flouroalcohol phosphate, magnesium sulfate, parfum (fragrance), nelumbo nucifera flower, water, methlyparaben, triethoxycaprylylsilane, sodium hyaluronate, silica, tocopheryl acetate, diproylene glycol, polyrethane-15, bht, laminara digitata extract, tocopherol, propyl paraben, ethylparaben. May contain- CI 7707 (ultramarines), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (iron oxides), CI 77891 (titanium oxide), mica