Chanel Foundation, Shade by Shade: Les Beiges, Ultra Le Teint and More

Chanel Foundation, Shade by Shade: Les Beiges, Ultra Le Teint and More

Every Chanel foundation answers a different question, from a fresh Les Beiges glow to the long wear of Ultra Le Teint. Here are the shades I would start with, the Chanel concealers and powders that go with them, and foundations from other luxury houses.

Les Beiges began with Gabrielle Chanel herself. She liked to walk the beaches of Deauville, Cannes and Biarritz with a bare, sun-warmed face, and makeup creative director Peter Philips built the line around that outdoor look. I like that origin because it explains what a Chanel foundation is usually after: skin that looks rested and lit, not painted. Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation is the clearest version of that idea.

It is a light-to-medium coverage fluid that Chanel says lasts up to 12 hours, with light-reflecting pigments and antioxidants. B40 is a medium with neutral undertones, and BR22 is a medium with rosy undertones. If you want more coverage, Ultra Le Teint is the wear-time foundation, full coverage with a matte finish and 24-hour wear, here in BD31 and B110.

The newer formulas show a second side of the brand. Les Beiges Water-Fresh Complexion Touch in BR12 is a medium-coverage product you can use to conceal a spot or apply all over, and Water-Fresh Tint in Medium Light is the brand's first complexion tint with pigment micro-droplets. Sublimage L'Essence de Teint in B40 is the first serum foundation by Chanel, and N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation in BD01 is a buildable, luminous foundation with Red Camellia Oil. That N°1 line arrived in 2022.

A simple test: swipe two shades along your jaw and check them in daylight.

Big numbers collage titled CHANEL FOUNDATION, six products numbered one to six with each product set beside its number: Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation in B40, Chanel Ultra Le Teint Foundation in BD31, Chanel Sublimage L'Essence de Teint in B40, N°1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation in BD01, Chanel Les Beiges Serum Concealer in B10 and Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 2
Chanel Foundation

Chanel foundations, shade by shade

The Chanel pieces that go under, over and around it

A Chanel foundation is only half of the routine, and the supporting cast is good. Les Beiges Serum Concealer in B10 is the first serum concealer by Chanel, made to brighten the eye area without creasing. Ultra Le Teint Le Correcteur in BD31 is the medium-to-full coverage, waterproof option for up to 12 hours.

Under the base, there are two primers. La Base Illuminatrice gives instant radiance, and La Base Matifiante is a gel that mattifies and moisturizes. I would pair the matte primer with Ultra Le Teint and the radiant one with Les Beiges.

On top, Poudre Universelle Libre in 10 is a loose powder with a soft matte finish that sets makeup. For warmth, Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sun-Kissed Powder in Light Coral is a trio that holds a bronzer, a blush and a pearlescent highlighter. Les Beiges Sheer Healthy Glow Highlighting Fluid in Sunkissed is a water-light liquid, and you can mix it into foundation or tap it on afterward.

The Les Pinceaux de Chanel Foundation-Blending Brush N°102 blends fluid, cream and powder formulas.

What I would skip: powder over the whole face when you are wearing Les Beiges. It is made for glow, so set only the center and leave the cheeks alone.

Chanel concealers, powders, bases and a foundation brush

Foundations from other luxury houses

Other houses make excellent foundations too, and comparing them helps you know what you like. Dior Forever Skin Glow in 9N Neutral is a hydrating glow foundation with medium coverage and a radiant finish. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk in 2 is a fair shade with neutral golden tones, made with niacinamide, for a natural glow finish. YSL Skin Affair Soft Glow Cushion in MW4 gives you a cushion format with squalane, niacinamide and polyglutamic acid.

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care and Glow in 540C is a serum foundation with hyaluronic and mandelic acids, made with SPF. Prada Reveal Skin-Optimizing Soft Matte Foundation in LC5 is refillable with a soft matte finish, and Prada lists SPF 17 on it. Pat McGrath Labs Skin Fetish Sublime Perfection in Medium Deep 25 is a serum-like foundation with a soft-focus finish.

For a matte base, Estée Lauder Double Wear Lightweight Matte in 5W2 Rich Caramel is the new matte version of the classic, with up to 36-hour wear. Natasha Denona Hy-Glam in N2 is a radiant serum foundation with self-setting wear, and the brand says it lasts up to 18 hours.

What I would skip: a full coverage matte formula when you want your skin to show through. Pick one of the glow foundations here and build it up only where you need it.

Luxury foundations from other houses

Finding your Chanel match

To choose, start with the finish you want to see in the mirror. Les Beiges or a tint if you want real skin to show. Ultra Le Teint if you want a base that stays put. Sublimage or N°1 de Chanel when you want your skincare and makeup to overlap. Then check undertone in daylight: B40 reads neutral and BR22 reads rosy, so use those as your two reference points. Apply with fingers for a fresh look, or use the N°102 brush for a smooth layer. Finish with one concealer and a little powder where you shine, and stop there. A foundation should look best at noon, not just the moment you leave the house.