Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen Review & Swatches

I realize there are probably half a million reviews written about this product already so I’m going to make mine as short as possible. No, scratch that. I can’t do it. I always go into details with all my reviews! :) This is not a new powder or anything. It was released back in 2013 I believe but I’ve only recently bought it. I guess I could have skipped the review altogether but then it wouldn’t feel right not talking about it even for just a bit! It’s a Chanel powder after all! ;D

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen is marketed as a multitasking product meaning you can use it as a powder (loose/setting/finishing), highlighter, contouring powder, blush, or even bronzer depending on the shade you choose. Well, that’s quite a bit all over the place if you ask me. My intention when I bought the product was simply to use it as a radiance-boosting finishing powder.

The powder is encased in a beige-black, square compact with Chanel’s logo on the compact’s face. It’s a refreshing change from its standard all-black packaging. Inside there is a full-sized mirror and a half-moon brush that is separated from the powder by a black plastic insert. It’s a pretty nice system compared to having a separate compartment because it doesn’t cause extra bulkiness. However, having to remove the plastic insert every time before use can be quite a pain!

The brush itself is flattened and nicely curved to fit the shape of the compact. It was designed to double as a sculpting brush to fit the contour of the face as well should you wish to use your powder as a contouring/bronzing powder. It’s made of super soft and flexible natural hair; it feels lovely on the skin and looks very cute even; however, I can’t really get along with it because it barely picks up any product! I am tempted to deem it useless but then I know I can use it with my other face powders that are more pigmented.

As with many high-end makeup, this one also comes with a protective, black velvet pouch! Would be nice if it came in a matching beige color! :)

Active ingredients:

Octinoxate 7% and Titanium Dioxide 8%

Noteworthy inactive ingredients:

Talc, shea butter, fragrance, cotton leaf cell extract, rosa alba leaf cell extract, and mica

Upon opening the compact, you’ll be hit with a strong scent of roses! I absolutely love it! It’s not the mature type of rose scent but a more youthful and refreshing one. The scent does not linger once applied on the skin so even if you can’t stand scented products, you probably won’t be bothered by it.

The powder itself is absolutely divine! So silky soft, so finely-milled, and so blendable. The color I picked up is N°20 and while it looks sort of pigmented in the pan, this powder actually applies ultra sheer! As in almost transparent! The coverage is close to zero and so is the color payoff. You can forget about it if you are planning to use this alone for coverage. I have less than perfect skin so for me, this only works as a setting powder after my foundation.

As mentioned before, the powder isn’t picked up well by the cute little brush included so I like to use my own kabuki brush. You can use any powder brush actually as long as it’s a dense brush. Due to the light nature of the powder, you can pack it on the skin without looking cakey, heavy, or powdery. It won’t flash back despite the SPF (proof in my face picture below; I used flash) and it won’t ever feel like you’re wearing anything.

The powder mattifies the skin instantly while providing the softest, subtlest lit-from-within glow that leaves your skin looking extra healthy and fresh. I wish I were exaggerating but this powder, despite very little coverage, really does make your skin look better! You may not be able to see any light-reflecting shimmer in the pan but if you really look for it on the skin with a magnifying mirror, there are actually plenty of ultra fine shimmery bits infused throughout the formula.

Besides mattifying the skin, it also helps blur the appearance of pores on my nose and cheeks. It doesn’t conceal any redness, marks, spots, or any other skin’s imperfections, though. It doesn’t control oil, either, as my face would get shiny like I always do around lunch time. So if you have combination to oily skin, definitely use it in combination with a mattifying primer or foundation. You may want to keep blotting films handy, too! Depending on the amount applied, I find the longevity average. I can get through the day without touching up but my face won’t be looking fresh and healthy as when I apply it in the morning.

Here’s how the powder illuminates my skin while still providing a super natural finish. It is truly undetectable! :)

All in all, the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Colour Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Sunscreen delivers in the natural-looking, radiance-enhancing aspect. However, if you demand coverage and color payoff from your powder, this might not be your best option. As for me, I like to use it on a light makeup day where I want my skin to glow slightly and breathe a little (or on days when I want to look like I’m wearing nothing but I can’t be wearing nothing!). The added SPF is nice for indoors but always remember to use a separate sunscreen with higher SPF if you’re planning to be outside. :)

Purchase