Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Cream

Where I got it from

At the beginning of May, I received a message from Julia, my Chanel Beauty SA, letting me know that there were new makeup releases for May, such as some Les Beiges products – the travel size Healthy Glow Illuminating Oil, Water Fresh Blush, Complexion Touch, and Healthy Glow Cream. Les Beiges also launched two new lipstick colors.

Julia did tell me that the full-size Les Beiges Healthy Glow Illuminating Oil (250 ml) is a limited edition, and she wasn’t sure if the travel size would be limited as well, so I decided to get the smaller bottle (love the smaller bottle design) as well as the new Healthy Glow Cream. I (temporarily) skipped the skin color touch up because I didn’t feel like I needed it. As for the Aqua Blush, I already bought one a few months ago (it launched in the US and UK a few months ago) and even though I love my warm pink shades, I don’t think I need another shade as I’ve recently bought the Chanel palette.

What I got

I got the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Cream in Rose Beige ($87 for 15g) and the travel size Les Beiges Healthy Glow Illuminating Oil ($74 for 50ml). I’ll leave a link to my review of the full-size illuminating oils as they are the same product. the 250 ml bottle sells for $147 USD and the 50 ml bottle sells for $74 USD. Unfortunately, this is a bit of a knock-off for the smaller bottles, but it’s a great oil to pass up.

Les Beiges Rose Beige Healthy Glow Cream (15 g) is a creamy gel makeup product that evens out and brightens skin tone for a subtle rose-colored veil. Its lightweight formula blends easily and leaves skin looking smooth, even and radiant. With the help of the retractable Kabuki Brush N°108, it can be easily picked up and smoothly applied.

Ingredients: Dimethicone – Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – Cellulose – CERA ALBA (Beeswax) – Dimethicone Silica – Sunflower CERA Seed (Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) Seed Wax) – Polymethylsilsesquioxane – Lithium montmorillonite stearate – Jasmine G jasmine extract – Propylene carbonate – Ethylhexyl palmitate – Flavors (fragrances) – Tocopheryl Acetate [*/- (may contain) CI 77007 (Ultramarine) – CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxide) – CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide) – Mica]

Les Beiges Healthy Glow Illuminating Oil (50 ml). Its new, subtle shimmering formula leaves the skin with a luminous, silky sheen and gives the hair beautifully refined bronze highlights. It has an instantly drying oil texture that softens and moisturizes the skin.

Ingredients: AQUA (water) – Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride – Hexyl Laurate – Glycerin – Butylene Glycol – Diglycerin – Jasmine Stem Extract – Castor Oil/IPDI Total. Castor Oil/IPDI Copolymer – Amodi Dimethicone – Pentylene Glycol – Chlorophenyl Glycerin – Caprylic L Glycol – Carbomer – Aluminum Hydroxide – Polyglycerol-3 – Sodium Lauryl Glutamate – Trisodium EDTA – Sodium Hyaluronate – Propylene Glycol – Tamarind Gum – Sodium Hydroxide – Lysine – Magnesium chloride – Alkaloidal polysaccharides – Glucose – Citric acid [* // (may contain) CI 77007 (Ultramarine) – CI 77491, CI 77492 CI 77007 (Ultramarine) – CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxide) – CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide) – Mica].

How did I find it?

Let’s start with the Healthy Glow Cream because it’s a brand new product from Chanel and I’m surprised it was released as a travel size instead of a full size product. I couldn’t find any discussion about this product before it was launched, so it was a surprise to everyone. When I published this review, the product was available almost worldwide. When I first tried it at the Chanel counter at Botany (after Julia ordered it), I thought it was a bit strange. I thought it was going to be a “glowing” product, similar to the cream highlighter in the name. But from the pictures and in real life, it looks like a primer. When I rubbed the product with my fingertips, I couldn’t describe it as a creamy gel because I couldn’t feel any “gel” texture to the product.

Fast forward to receiving the actual product, it comes in a les beiges beige box with black details. The travel size jar has a black lid and looks like a miniature version of a foil cream. It also has a plastic cap inside, which you need to keep to prevent the product from drying out. We recommend that you use it together with the Retractable Kabuki Brush N°108. I don’t have that brush, but I just want to use the Dome Synthetic Fiber Kabuki Brush. Rotate it around the product and apply. The product is designed as a cosmetic primer that smoothes pores and refines the skin. It also has a rose tint to brighten the skin tone (skin tone brightening effect).

I can barely see anything when I pat it on the back of my hand with my fingertips. I can see a hint of light pink color at certain angles and a faint shimmer in the sunlight. I was expecting some major smoothing effect like the Silicone Pore Perfecting Balm but that was not the case. The balm was so smooth that it slid onto my skin and was invisible. I stepped it up a bit and I still couldn’t see any noticeable effect on my skin other than a little more shimmer. After adding a little more, my skin started to look smoother. However, after a few layers, my skin looked very natural and didn’t look lumpy or dry.

Applying with a brush provides a sheer and even application, but I’ve also tried using my fingers, which provides a more precise application over a heavier coverage area. I found that it took a few layers to blur any minor imperfections and redness on my skin. I can’t say that this has evened out my skin tone, but there is a slight overall brightening effect on the skin.

This product impressed me with how easy it was to apply my foundation over the ‘primer’ I tried using the new skin color touch up and it was effortless, smooth and didn’t have any pilling. However, I used the stippling brush to apply the skin color touch which is very gentle and doesn’t rub or buff. I haven’t used the brush it comes with as it’s better for detailed application (i.e. hidden).

Here, I’m wearing only the luminizer on my face. No other makeup. As you can see, most of my imperfections are still there – dark circles, enlarged pores, blackheads, acne scars etc. The Luminescent Cream gave my skin a bit of a pink undertone. The skin was a little smooth (to the touch) but I needed some coverage to fix these issues.

With Complexion Touch, my skin tone is more even, dark spots and large pores around my nose are covered and dark circles under my eyes have faded. I always find it difficult to cover dark circles without them looking clumpy and very dry, so I avoid covering the area completely. I don’t mind showing some dark circles.

In the photo below, I applied the cream all over my body and then applied a little bit of Chanel Longwear Concealer B20, which is specifically for my dark circles. I then applied the Skin Tint B20 to my face. A warm pink fresh blush was applied to my cheeks. Oversized Healthy Glow Sun-kissed in Medium Bronze, Tender in Les Beiges Eyeshadow Palette. I skipped the highlighter here because the skin-colored touch gave me just enough glow around my face.

I was happy to buy a travel size bottle of Les Beiges Brightening Oil (50 ml) because I really like this product and it was originally launched in 250 ml. The original size was much more cost effective, but it’s no longer available. I love the scent of this dry oil and it gives my skin a very nice golden glow. Not too bronze, not too golden, but a healthy glow. The dry oil has a very smooth glide and dries very quickly. It does rub off, but there’s no nasty shimmer wherever you touch it.

Overall

I’m not quite sure what I think of the Glow Cream because it’s not what I was expecting. I was expecting a more pore-perfecting or oil-controlling primer, but I don’t see any “glow” in that product on my skin tone. I wonder if Chanel will expand more on this type of product? Maybe create slightly different shades to target different skin concerns? Green, blue, mauve? In any case, if you’re looking for a good highlighting primer, Chanel already has some very good ones – La Base Illuminatrice for a more subtle glow and moisturizer, and Les Beiges Highlighter for more luminosity and versatility. If you need to brighten your complexion, Le Blanc La Base primer comes in different shades and also has some SPF! I did a quick comparison on IG showcasing some of Chanel’s glow products. In a nutshell.

As for the travel size highlighter, if you haven’t gotten the big bottle yet, don’t miss your chance to get this one! The small bottle is easy to carry around for traveling, going to the beach or refilling in the car during the day. The drying oil is silky smooth and the glitter is gorgeous, but I think the glitter particles look bigger compared to the big bottle. I’m not sure.