The long-running Unsung Heroes series here on Makeup and Beauty Blog features some of our all-time favorite permanent collection products.
Have you ever seen the Gisele Bündchen ad for the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder? She’s literally glowing! I think it was that and the amazing-looking beige compact that made me want to buy it… And god, am I glad I did… I mean, it’s become one of my favorite makeup products of all time. It’s definitely my favorite bronzer of all time. You know, with it Chanel invented a new concept of bronzer… A sheer bronzer that’s impossible to overdo. Like, you really need to load your brush for it to show up, but that’s what I like about it, because, really, you can pack it on as much as you want, like you can keep packing it on, and it’ll never look too much.
You do need to load your brush quite a lot for it to show up, but the powder melts into the skin and just blends itself. And you don’t have to worry about ending up with harsh bronzer stripes under your cheekbones.
I usually apply it with a fluffy brush, targeting the areas around my face that naturally tan first, and it gives me the most gorgeous, subtly sunkissed glow.
Oh, and I can’t see any powder sitting on top of my skin.
I have shade 50, which looks pretty dark, but I think that if I had gotten a lighter shade, it wouldn’t really have showed up on my skin. So, if you want to get this, my advice is to get a darker shade than you normally would. I mean, if you get a lighter shade, you can use it as a setting powder, I guess… Well, actually, I think Chanel advertises this as a setting powder as well, but to get the most out of it, I think that you should really get a darker shade and use it as a bronzer.
And don’t worry; it’ll never look too much, even if you’re very pale. I’m pretty pale, and I love that I can use it all year round. It all depends on how much you layer it.
If you’re ready to drop 58 bucks to fake the effect of a wonderful afternoon in the sun, you’ll find Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder in the permanent collection at Chanel counters. 🙂
Lulle says
It looks very pretty! I’ve never tried anything from the Les Beiges collection, but the simple and classy packaging is very tempting.
Carolina Braina says
Very tempting, indeed! I lusted after the Les Beiges collections of the last two summers, but didn’t get anything eventually. I’m curious about this year’s!
sarahc says
This is my dream look! How can I tell what color I should get? I’m NW20 and want to use it as bronzer. Halp!
Carolina Braina says
If I remember well, shade 50 was the least warm-toned one (in real life it’s not as orange as it looks in my pan picture), so I think it would be a safe choice for most undertones… And since it’s sheer, but buildable, I think it can suit light to medium skin tones (I usually am light in the winter and medium in the summer and I can always make it work).
Do you have any Chanel counters near you where you can try it on?
LindaLibraLoca says
Wow, you really seem to enjoy it a lot! I only ever hit pan on my setting powders, but never on a bronzer so far.
Carolina Braina says
And I have so many bronzers! But yeah, this one I REALLY love!
jonirae says
I’ve been wanting to get this after Dior’s healthy glow enhancing powder turned me into an oompah loompah (SO DEPRESSING, because the compact is the prettiest thing I’ve seen in my entire life). I’m not sure what color to get thou, because 40 and 50 do look dark, but the others not dark enough… (I’m very pale and have pink cheeks tho generally yellowy toned skin other than that… only I think I look odd in warm toned things… so… I don’t even know where that leaves me, other than confused on color choice. I just want to look subtly warmed but not at all yellowy or orange! You have encouraged me to check it out further, even though I think you are a different kind of pale than me!
Carolina Braina says
Trust me, once applied, shade 40 and 50 are not dark. It really takes some building up for the color to show up on the skin. If I remember well, shade 50 is less warm-toned than 40 (it’s not as orange in real life as it looks in my pan picture), so it might work for you… You should go to a counter and try 40 on one side of your face and 50 on the other one and see how you like them. I hope you can find a shade that suits you!
Kiss & Make-up says
Aaaah, you enabler, you… I have yet to buy my first Chanel product. I’ve swatched products at the counter countless times but I never ever bought anything.
Carolina Braina says
Haha, this product would be a great starting point to explore the brand!
Karen says
Awww, your compact looks like it was loved to pieces! That’s awesome. I have this powder and love it, too. I use it more as a setting powder though. Thank you for reminding me to take it out.
By the way, have you ever tried Chanel’s loose powder? It’s fantastic!
Carolina Braina says
I haven’t, but I’ve heard you mention it several times, so it’s on my wish list. 😉 Is it good to set concealer under the eyes? I’m always looking for powders that don’t dry me out there!
Erin says
I like 20 as a healthy looking sheer bronze and 30 is good too for a deeper look.