Hi friends!
I’m back with a review today and this time we’ve got a bougee one! This isn’t the first time that uber-luxury beauty brand Chantecaille has made it onto the blog; I reviewed their Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara earlier this year (link below).
Last month while I was in a Space NK in Bloomingdale’s, I got to chatting with one of their salespeople about my preferences for foundation – lightweight, hydrating, sheer coverage, etc. She recommended the Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation, which retails for a whopping $78.00. I was like…hm, no thanks! (But I said it much nicer than that, don’t worry!) Despite my minor moaning, she quickly handed over a very generous sample of the stuff that I’ve been able to get several uses out of (I don’t tend to apply too much to my face at one time anyway).
So full disclosure, I never bought this foundation myself and that’s why I don’t have any candid photos of the packaging for this post. However since I’ve gotten so many uses out of the sample (and I still have a bit more!), I thought I’d still give you my thoughts and detailed review on it. Here we go!
Read this: Bougee Review! $70 Chantecaille Mascara
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
- 30g or 1 oz. of product for $78.00
- 60% water-based
- Engineered in Japan
- Voted InStyle’s Best Beauty Buy of 2018
An oil-free gel foundation with an ultra lightweight, refreshing texture. The buildable formula provides adjustable coverage while light-reflecting pigments eases the appearance of imperfections for a naturally flawless finish.
HOW I APPLY CHANTECAILLE FUTURE SKIN FOUNDATION
As with most of my makeup application, I’ve mainly applied this product with my hands. I dot it around my face and blend it using a combo of patting and swiping motions. However, on at least two separate occasions I have used a flat foundation brush to blend in the product. I’ve also tried applying this over a hydrating primer or moisturizer, but I’ve also tested it on completely bare skin to see what the natural finish looks like. Please note that I have a dry skin type.
MY THOUGHTS ON PACKAGING
As I mentioned earlier, I didn’t buy the full pot of this foundation. However, I have seen it in person and it’s a sleek, beautiful glass pot. It kinda reminds me a bit of my beloved Bobbi Brown SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm, which is also in a glass pot. It’s not great for traveling or putting into a makeup bag, so keep that in mind if those kinds of things are important to you.
For fairness, I won’t give this a rating since I don’t have it, but for the sake of completeness I still wanted to include my thoughts here.
Read this: The best tinted moisturizer for summer?
MY THOUGHTS ON APPLICATION
With or without a hydrating primer underneath, this foundation goes on very, very smoothly and easily. There’s a beautiful glide it has across the skin that is extremely pleasing to someone with dry skin like me. When you touch the product, it has a whipped texture that’s not thick like a moisturizer would be. Instead it’s very lightweight and almost airy. It takes almost no time to blend into the skin, whether you use your fingers or a brush.
Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON COVERAGE
Considering its light texture, this is a foundation that you can certainly adjust to your coverage preferences. It very easily builds on itself without any cakiness or patchiness. I’d say it’s in the light to medium coverage range. I just don’t think you’d be able to build it up that far to get a really full coverage. Even when I’ve built up 2 to 2 1/2 layers, I still can see my freckles through the product. I don’t know what Chantecaille claims the coverage on this to be, but for my preferences this is exactly what I want from a foundation.
Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐️
Before application of Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation.
MY THOUGHTS ON FINISH
In my experience, this foundation takes on the finish of whatever is lying underneath it. For example, when I applied this over completely bare skin that hadn’t even been moisturized it had a kinda flat appearance. But that’s because my skin has zero glow or natural sheen to it. Some bases I’ve used actually give a sheen to the skin regardless of how I prepped, like the Bobbi Brown SPF 25 Tinted Moisturizing Balm or the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue. This doesn’t do that on its own.
However, when I do apply some hydrating ingredients underneath this foundation the natural sheen does shine through. So the finish here will differ depending on your skin type and your skin prep. Personally I prefer a base that gives a sheen or glow to the skin.
Rating: 4 / 5 ⭐️
Read this: Review: Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue
MY THOUGHTS ON SHADE RANGE
There are 14 shades total in the Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation range. Eh, not really the most comprehensive line out there by any stretch. The shade I have is the second to lightest called Alabaster, which they categorize as “fair with balanced undertones.” I’d say this is more peachy/yellow than pink, plus it oxidizes a bit on me. While I can certainly make this work on my skin tone, it’s definitely not the best match for me.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 ⭐️
Swatch of shade Alabaster
MY THOUGHTS ON LONGEVITY
This lasts quite well on me throughout the day, which is typically anywhere from 8 – 11 hours after application. No complaints here. However, I have not tested this in very hot or humid conditions, just FYI.
Rating: 5 / 5 ⭐️
MY THOUGHTS ON PRICE
Ugh, this is the same problem I had with the Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara. I really like the product itself, but I just don’t understand the heavy price tag attached to it. Is it a beautiful foundation? Yes, if you like hydrating, smoothing, light-to-medium coverage. Is there something revolutionary happening here that will blow your mind and make you want to pay over $70.00 for it? Um, no. And what’s the deal with pricing a mascara for only $6.00 less than a whole foundation (the Longest Lash is $72.00)??
Rating: 2 / 5 ⭐️
FINAL THOUGHTS
While I’ve certainly enjoyed using what I could of this foundation, I definitely won’t be purchasing a full pot of it anytime soon. I don’t mind luxe products every now and then, but this is too rich for my blood. I don’t even think this has any SPF, even though I did see titanium dioxide listed high up in the ingredient list. (The brand mentions nothing about sunscreen in the benefits.) You definitely can get a similar effect for less at Sephora or Ulta.
After application of Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation (and concealer).
Have you ever tried the Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation? Would you ever spend that kind of money on foundation? I’d love to know!
xo, Erica
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Amazing review Erica! I love your honest and candid approach. keep up the good work!
Thanks Devinder! ❤️
Great review, Erica! You mention oxidizing. Does that mean the foundation gets a little darker? Sometimes it seems like my foundation does that a bit and I just chalked it up to sun exposure.
Yup, you got that exactly right? I think a lot of factors can contribute to oxidization
Yikes! My last comment got cut off! But I was saying I think a lot of environmental factors can also contribute to oxidization, like sun, humidity, sweating, etc. However, some foundation formulas just simply oxidize after they’re exposed to air for a period of time; I think that’s what happened here.
How lucky that she gave you some to test because that is expensive! 😀 I have a think for makeup or moisturizer in glass pots. It makes it seem so much more luxurious for some reason. Great review!
Glass pots are totally luxurious! I actually like them a lot too, but I realize they’re not the most practical for a lot of people.
Chantecaille have lovely products, if not a bit pricey. Looks lovely on you !
Thank you ❤️
Yikes the price is steep for one single ounce. I do like how you detailed all of the aspects from application, longevity, coverage, etc. I do love that it’s hydrating, not many foundations are.
Unfortunately, what disappoints is the shade range and the coverage. I like to think that most*, not all, foundations can be light to full coverage. A lot are buildable and if you only use a small amount (you really dont need too much to begin with), they can provide just enough coverage for those who like it light.
I’d say this has both pros and cons. I would love to try it though.
I agree about the shade range; it should be broader. I think foundation is so personal when it comes down to it. I just try to think of what my preferences are. For instance I don’t mind using more product just to achieve a light to medium coverage, over using less product of a fuller coverage foundation. But not everyone will feel the same way, which is totally understandable. However, I would never pay over $70 for a product that gives me the same effect as say a $30 or $40 foundation would give me. I think Chantecaille’s products are lovely, but just so overpriced!
Yes very true. Everyone has different preferences, so it’s also kind of hard to cater to every single skin type.
Definitely!
The finish looks beautiful on you but I am with you. I’d never spend that kind of money on foundation unless it was the absolute only one that worked for me. The mascara’s pricing is worse though! How can they charge nearly the same for something that doesn’t last nearly as long?!
Well technically the mascara was formulated with lash peptides to help your lashes grow as you use it. I’m sure that’s why it was so expensive. However, I didn’t feel it made my lashes grow that much at all after three months of continued use. So total fail!
Ah, I see. It sucks that it didn’t work but I guess the claim itself raised the price. 😛