Review & Swatches: Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation – My Women Stuff
Truth to tell, when I first got wind of the Chanel Ultra Le Teint foundation, I effected a slight grimace. But I promised myself that I’d consider it with an open mind.
The Chanel Ultra Le Teint foundation is touted to be an Ultrawear All-Day Comfort Flawless Finish foundation. In layspeak, it means that it’s a longwearing foundation with full coverage. Nothing that ticks my foundation boxes, but I promised myself – keep an open mind.
So um… I must confess that it’s really really grown on me! 😛
The Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation is practically the polar opposite of my other favourite recent release, the Chanel Water Fresh Tint. They could not be more dissimilar! Yet, they both have their place and serve their functions very well.
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Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation – Long wearing, full coverage, satin matte finish
We have only just received the Ultra Le Teint foundation in our Chanel stores locally, but I’m given to understand that it has already been made available in some parts of the world earlier this year (2019).
The Ultra Le Teint foundation boasts a longwearing finish which stays put for hours, full coverage and a matte finish.
Longwearing foundation has evolved a lot in recent years. They used to be heavy, thick and cakey and extremely drying. The coverage also tends to be very thick and full all over. It was for this reason that I’d stay away before.
The new generation of longwearing liquid foundation seems to be much lighter on skin, less drying and not as heavy and cakey. The latter depends of course, on your technique and preference, and how much product you really use.
Now here’s why the Chanel Ultra Le Teint foundation sits well with me.
Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation L-R: BD01, B10, BR12, B20, BD21, BR22
Ultra Le Teint – Creamy medium to full coverage foundation
I’ll say this – I’m not a fan of full coverage foundation. For this reason, I use very little product when working with a full coverage foundation.
With the Chanel Ultra Le Teint foundation, I find that a light layer gives you a medium coverage, which for me is more than sufficient. If you want more coverage, apply another thin layer. Working with thin layers offers a better, more natural overall result, than trowelling on a thick layer of foundation.
Use fingers to apply for best results
I like the creamy texture, which is easy to spread and feels comfortable on skin. There is no cakey paste on your skin, just a lovely lightweight cream.
For me, the best way to apply is with fingers. I find that a brush gives a heavier result, which I don’t quite like.
I like working with sections, so I dab a little product on each portion of my face, and then quickly blend it in with my fingers. It is easy to sheer out, the medium-full coverage adjusts itself nicely on your skin, and it feels like you have nothing on.
You do have to work section by section, because like most longwearing formula, it will dry a little more quickly. So, I just dab a dot on my cheek, blend it out, then repeat as I go along.
Do note that there is every possibility that I feel the foundation to be very light, because I use very little product. If you use a full pump on each section of your face, that is too much, and you will feel uncomfortable.
I like that the pump is quite responsive, so I can easily control how much product I pump out each time. I don’t need very much, so about half a pump does it for me, and I like being able to control that.
Ultra Le Teint foundation – looks better as the day wears on
I confess I was quite surprised at how comfortable the Ultra Le Teint foundation felt on my skin. Because it dries down to a satin-matte finish (not a flat matte, for which I am thankful!) I prefer not to apply any powder over it.
What I do therefore, is apply a thin layer of the Ultra Le Teint foundation, perhaps a little more where I feel I need concealer (or use a concealer), and then move on to the rest of my makeup.
The foundation will set and settle on skin quite nicely, and when it melds with the natural oils from your skin, actually looks better the longer you wear it. I was quite surprised the first time I wore it and had to test it a few more times on days when I knew I’d be wearing makeup for a long time.
Each time, almost without fail, I’d notice that my base remains intact without settling, fading or shifting. My skin looks natural, and it doesn’t look like I’ve been out in the heat for over 8 hours. Despite it being a full coverage, longwearing foundation, it offers a very natural, luminous glow to the skin that I appreciate.
Let me show you what I mean 🙂
I wear shade B10 (Beige 10) which is fairly consistent with my usual Chanel foundation shade. I always wear B10, so there are no surprises here.
In the before/after picture (which is unretouched as usual), I have applied a thin layer of the Ultra Le Teint foundation. Coverage is medium, as you can see, it offers a satin-matte finish, and evens my skin tone nicely.
In the picture below, I had returned after 9 hours outside. It had been a very hot day, and you may notice the fading of my lip colour and cheek colour. There is also a slight oiling up on my nose and tops of my cheeks, but it otherwise looks pretty impressive!
Ultra Le Teint – longwearing especially in hot weather
With the heatwave now surging through Europe this Summer (and with our perennial hot weather here in Malaysia) longwearing foundation is your friend.
I can vouch for the fact that the Ultra Le Teint stays on well without settling into pores, does not dry my skin out to a husk, and importantly, looks good even when you do oil up. In fact, it looks better!
This is the foundation to reach for when you know you have to be out and about in the heat, and yet want to be sure that you won’t end up looking like an oily, greasy mess at the end of the day.
Do note however, that I have dry skin so I do not know how this will fare on oily skin, or if it will offer any form of oil control. You might have to test it out for yourself and see.
30 shades for most skin tones
A wide shade selection for foundation is important to be inclusive, and in this, I have to say I was impressed by the shade selection. While large shade selections for foundation have become the norm among smaller brands, the behemoths that are luxury brand giants tend to move a little more slowly in this area.
But we got there folks! 😀
Ultra Le Teint Foundation comes in 30 shades, ranging from the very very light to the very very deep. I borrowed 26 of the shades to swatch, just to see how the deep shades fare.
Not only content with providing us with a wide range of shades for depth of colour, each colour family is broken down into different undertones as well.
We therefore have B (Beige) which has a fairly neutral tone, BR (Beige Rose) which has a slightly more pink/cool undertone and BD (Beige Dore) which has a more golden/yellow undertone.
With this selection, in theory, almost anyone should get the exact colour match for their skin. I cannot however vouch if this is true in real life. You’d have to go and test and see if that’s the case, especially if you’ve always had trouble finding a shade match.
I know for a fact that Chanel foundations usually start with B10 – it’s because that’s my shade, and I could never use their foundations before, because they didn’t bring it in! LOL! 😀 Now, there is a BD01, which is so light, not even I can wear it LOL! 😀
For your gratification (I’m not sure how helpful this is) I have swatched all 26 shades I borrowed, so you have an idea of what the shades look like, and if you might be able to find a shade match. (OK so clearly the promise of 30 shades in the header was a bit of a clickbait 😛 )
First, the light-medium toned shades.
I do note that BR does tend to pull noticeably pink, while BD shades tend to be quite warm. In many cases, there is only a very slight and subtle difference between the shades, but it could mean an exact match, or you looking weird.
The deep shades are quite deep, which I think is a boon especially for those who struggle to find a foundation match. The very deep shades look almost like molten chocolate when I tested it.
Considering we are in South-East Asia, where skintones do range from medium to deep (and I am in fact, in the minority), I think this sort of shade selection is wonderful, from a big brand 🙂
Wonderful! Is it drying though?
A good question. Most longwearing foundation can be drying especially for those of us with drier skin types. The last one I tried felt very comfortable.
This one is no different.
I do have one caveat – you must ensure that your skin is well moisturised and hydrated. If there is any flaky skin, it will catch and show. I experienced this on Day 1 testing this foundation. I had been doing a little travel, and my skin was a little dry and flaky on my nose.
The foundation just settled on the flaky skin and accentuated every flaw. I was quite unimpressed to be honest.
I then took a day or two to ensure that my skin was back up to its optimum level, and then I tested the Ultra Le Teint foundation again. This time, it went on smoothly without highlighting any flaws.
Oh, and there’s that fragrance that permeates through all Chanel products. Sigh… I’d much prefer if they didn’t have a fragrance, but they do. It doesn’t linger and it isn’t terribly strong, but it is there.
IN A NUTSHELL
The Chanel Ultra Le Teint foundation is a longwearing foundation that has a medium-full coverage and has a satin-matte finish. I personally find that using less, and blending it into skin with fingers offers a more natural result, as the creamy texture lends itself well to working with fingers. It doesn’t feel dry, heavy or cakey on skin. It does not settle into pores or lines and actually looks better as the day wears on. I suggest not adding any powder over, as that can feel more drying or look more heavy. It wears well in hot and humid weather, and looks natural and feels comfortable. The shade selection is very wide, so almost anyone should be able to find a shade match. It is a very nice foundation, provided your skin is well moisturized, and you don’t pile on too much product.
PROS:
Creamy and lightweight texture
Looks better as it blends with the natural oils from the skin
Satin-matte finish looks natural
Stays on for long hours without fading, shifting or settling
Does not need a powder to set
Very very little goes a long wayCONS:
Pricey
Fragranced
Can catch on dry flaky skinWHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a foundation that wears well in a hot and humid environment, Anyone who wants a fuller coverage foundation that lasts for long hours on skin without settling or fading
PRICE: RM220 | US$60 for 30ml
WHERE TO BUY: Chanel counters and beauty boutiques
RELATED READING: If you’d prefer a base with a very light coverage but delivers a lovely boost of hydration to skin, try this one instead READ HERE
Are you intrigued by the Chanel Ultra Le Teint foundation? Do you wear longlasting foundation?
I do like how well this foundation holds up in our heat and humidity. When I know I have a long day ahead of me, this is the one I’d go for. I’d say that it does sit on par with the Bobbi Brown Skin Longwear Weightless Foundation. I do find however, that the Chanel Ultra Le Teint offers better coverage and the finish is a little more satin-matte. Ultimately, it will depend on your preference which to pick 🙂
Paris B
This post was made possible in part with the assistance of Chanel Malaysia. All views and opinions remain my own
Disclosure: Featured service was a media trial by the brand for consideration. Our commitment is to honesty and fairness. For review guidelines please read the disclaimer.
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