Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Radiant Complexion |
| Disadvantages: |
That I Didn't Buy It Before |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Within a period of three years two major cosmetic houses have stopped manufacturing my favourite skin foundations. One product was priced at the upper end of the range and the other was medium priced. Both products were worth every penny as they suited my colouring and skin texture; so much so that I would use every last drop of the foundation and replace them at once with the same product-until they became suddenly unavailable. Consequently, I have been searching for that special formula ever since and at a considerable financial and image conscious cost. Other products have promised me a wonder finish, a flawless finish, a hyper-smooth finish, an enhanced finish and a luminous finish. It seems that the reason I have around nine various foundations, all partly used, costing seven to ten pounds an item is that none of them proved satisfactory.
Chanel Compact Crème Universel has fulfilled all the criteria a gal like me was searching for to replace the previous favourites. I do want an even, smooth, luminous and radiant complexion and the Chanel multi-vitamin fresh cream makeup with SPF 15 is simply magical. It's my own fault I didn't buy this product before because I had read a lot of praise about it on various online beauty forums but I balked at the twenty-six pounds it would cost me. How nonsensical is that when the nine disappointing foundations I have bought that are useless cost me at the very least sixty three pounds in total, that's what I call a false economy and darned expensive?
I waited until the end of January and a visit to the Duty Free at Gatwick Airport where in the very early hours of the morning an extremely helpful Chanel trained beauty advisor patiently demonstrated the various shades. Starting with the palest the shades are Clair-Light, Cendre-Ash blond, Beige-Beige, Petale-Petal, Naturel-Natural and Hale-Tan. The Beige was the obvious choice for my complexion as it had a good yellowish base and I happily paid twenty-two pounds for the handsome frosted jar and black screw lid with the identifiable double C trade mark in silver-looking like two lucky horseshoes.
Chanel Compact Crème Universel has a very high water content (38% - so always screw the lid back on after use to prevent evaporation) and it feels moist and fresh on the skin and it is so simple to apply. Using the supplied sponge, never damp but always a dry one, and a little cream apply it from the centre of the face and sweep outwards. (Do remember to wash the sponge regularly by the way). The effect was instantaneous and I was smitten with this product from the very first application. The light reflecting pigments gave a soft focus effect, evened out any blemishes and I looked glowing and silky skinned. I even did a test-I applied the cream to one side of my face and inspected the result, not only in the daylight but with a magnifying mirror, and it was like two different people looking back at me.
Now, up until this moment I had always used a concealer under the eyes to diminish dark shadows or to camouflage blemishes plus a very light dusting of translucent face powder. With the Chanel Compact Crème Universel I don't need either of these additional products. The cream make-up covers shadows and uneven tints on the skin perfectly and it would be such a shame to cover the healthy light reflecting pigments with a face powder, so it is true about less is more. I was concerned at first that my blusher would go blotchy and that my lipstick would bleed without loose powder but somehow this amazing make-up creates a perfect non-greasy base. Hence, lips and cheeks remained in place-as if the Chanel Compact Crème Universel provided an excellent canvas.
Since using this foundation I have had many compliments saying how good my skin is, that I look well, glamorous, younger, have I had Botox, what no wrinkles, aren't you unlined and my darling mother telling me I looked twenty-five years old. Mother love eh???? Of course, economically the Chanel Compact Crème Universel is exactly that-economical. I use it every day, as it makes me feel good even if I'm not leaving the house, and the first jar is now into its seventh week but coming to an end. Take the cost of a concealer and the loose face powder that I don't need to buy anymore from the twenty-six pounds that this wonderful make-up costs, plus all those superfluous and ineffectual brands I'd been buying and I'm in pocket.
The Chanel Compact Crème Universel is a wonderful product and I certainly recommend it to anybody who feels they are in need of a new and refreshing look. In the sunlight I just look healthy and not coated with make-up plus it has the SPF 15 protector, and in artificial light my complexion looks hydrated and radiant. The foundation is long lasting on the skin as one application in the morning has lasted me through the day and evening and remains as fresh looking as the moment I put it on. Does your complexion look tired? Mine doesn't anymore.
This product has not yet been reviewed. 
