Last week I finally got a chance to snag the much-anticipated Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint. I say much-anticipated because the beauty industry had been buzzing about this release for weeks. Most of the shades already sold out or are on backorder. So now that I’ve fully test-driven this foundation, let’s talk pros, cons and more importantly: does it warrant a repurchase?
Below is my review of the NEW Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint. You can find my review of the eyeshadow palette Chanel Les Beige Natural Eyeshadow Palette Les Indispensable in a previous post here.
Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint
This is THE FIRST Chanel complexion tint featuring pigment micro-droplets that deliver a water-fresh sensation and a radiant, healthy-looking glow. Created with Chanel’s patented Micro-Fluidic technology, the lightweight gel texture bursts with ultra-pure ingredients for a bare-skin effect with 8-hours of hydration and comfort.
- Texture: lightweight, non-sticky, clear gel with micro-pigments that burst to provide color.
- Coverage: minimal, extremely light. I wouldn’t call this a foundation as it doesn’t provide any coverage. This is a skin tint. It provides color and a healthy, luminous glow to the skin.
- Finish: dewey and bare-skin effect.
It has a delicate fragrance, but it doesn’t linger much longer after application.
Shade Range
The Chanel Water-Fresh Tint comes in 6 shades:
- Light
- Light Medium
- Medium
- Medium Plus
- Light Deep
- Deep
How To Find the Right Shade
Given the shade range is quite limited, finding the right color can be a bit tricky. I’ve been told by Chanel sales associates that each Water-Fresh Tint shade corresponds to the first digit in Chanel’s regular foundation range.
For instance, my current match in Chanel Ultra Le Teint (previously reviewed here) is B40. I’m in the 4’s range, thus my shade in Water-Fresh Tint is 4 Medium Plus. In the wintertime, Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation in No. 30 (mentioned here) is a better match for my skin. That would translate to shade number 3 Medium in Water-Fresh Tint. Below are swatches of several Chanel foundations I currently own to help you put things into perspective.
How To Use
The Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint can be used on its own, as a luminous primer under foundation or on top of foundation to freshen up and rehydrate. It typically takes 2 full pumps to cover my face and blend onto the neck. This is a product where a little does not go a long way.
Best Way to Apply
The best way to apply the Chanel Water Tint is by dispensing the formula on the back of the hand. Use the included brush or any other foundation brush to burst the micro-pigments and mix in with the gel. Then simply dab onto the face. The brush that’s included works really well, however I find it a bit too small for my liking. I prefer to use my Hourglass Foundation Brush or any of my Artis Oval Foundation Brushes (Oval 6, Oval 7 or the Palm Brush Mini –reviewed previously here, here and here).
Packaging
The Chanel Water-Fresh Tint comes in a beautiful, clear bottle. It’s made from plastic, but surprisingly still looks quite luxurious. I like that it’s clear so you can easily see how much product you’ve used up. Included with the tint is a small, stippling brush with a dome-like shape and synthetic bristles.
My Experience
I’m quite opinionated when it comes to beauty and after 3 years of blogging, I can usually make up my mind about a product quite quickly. However, that hasn’t been the case with Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint. After learning about the skincare benefits it provided, I simply couldn’t wait to try it. Then I tried it and immediately disliked it. It provided absolutely no coverage and what’s worse, it accentuated the pores on the center of my face, pores which have gotten bigger as I’ve gotten older! It did however even out my skin by providing some color and a soft, luminous glow. My skin felt refreshed and energized.
The next day, I tried it as a primer under my Chanel Ultra Le Teint and really liked how it looked (see selfie #4 below). But I think it would be hard to justify the cost if I were to use it simply as a primer. The Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow (reviewed here) and Burberry Fresh Glow Base (reviewed here) are much better options if you’re looking for a hydrating, luminous primer.
Then I decided to try out the tint consistently every day for a week. I used it on top of foundation and was surprised how well it made my complexion look and how reinvigorated my skin felt. I once also applied 2 layers and managed to obtain a bit of coverage. Throughout the week, I found myself liking it more and more. By the middle of the week, I no longer felt my pores were over-emphasized. You see, I had initially tried it around that time of the month when my skin is hormonal and quite unbalanced. As my skin returned to normalcy, I no longer minded the bare-finish of the tint for every day.
Final Thoughts
In the photos above:
- Photo no. 1 shows my bare skin with hyperpigmentation, acne scaring, dark circles and fine lines.
- In photo no. 2, I applied one layer of Chanel Water-Fresh Tint. It evened out my skin tone a bit and provided some color correction. However, the hyperpigmentation, acne scaring and dark circles are still visible.
- Photo no. 3 shows a full face of makeup wearing the Chanel Water-Fresh Tint as foundation. I am wearing concealer, powder, bronzer, blush and highlighter so some of my skin concerns have been concealed. However, the hyperpigmentation on my nose and in the center of my face is still visible, as is some of the skin’s texture.
- In Photo no. 4 I’m using the Chanel Water-Fresh Tint as a primer under my Chanel Ultra Le Teint Full Coverage Foundation previously reviewed here.
I like the concept of this product. The little pigments suspended in gel provide the perfect mixture of hydration and color. I like how refreshed my skin feels and how luminous it looks. I like that this formula evens out the complexion and corrects the color while feeling weightless on the skin. However, this provides absolutely no coverage. For me, this product is not enough for a night out, for an event or for those days when I struggle with my skin. On the plus side, during those times, it makes a wonderful hydrating primer. I have decided to keep it, but will not be repurchasing.
The new Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint is currently available at Nordstrom and on the Chanel website here.
Now I’m curious to hear from you. Have you seen this? Have you tried it yet? What are your thoughts on the latest Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint?
This is NOT a sponsored post but it does contain referral links. Read my Disclaimer policy for more info.
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It’s great that you made it work, though it seems overpriced for the effect it gives. I have visible pores on my center-face, so I’m not sure I’ll be purchasing it… I’m looking forward to seeing your review of the eyeshadow palette by Chanel, I hope I haven’t missed it ))
Hi Irina, thank you for stopping by. I was a bit disappointed in this product, especially since most people rave about it. I think if you’re happy with your skin that this is an excellent hydrating product. I love love the eyeshadow palette. The formula is silky-smooth, pigmented and the shades are all stunning. I’ve already reviewed it on the blog, see my previous post. ~ Cat L.
This product is not suppose to give you super full coverage and erase every living trace of skin on your face. It’s a tint that’s suppose to even out your complexion. I think it better served for people who have flawless or near flawless skin already who just want an extra glow.
Agreed. If you’re happy with your skin, you’ll love this product. ~ Cat L.
Thank you Cat! This was quite helpful 👏🏼 I too have been very curious and anxious to try this product, but after your review/photos I won’t run to get it…I might get a sample first to test it out. It doesn’t seem to yield my preferred coverage at all! Thank you gorgeous friend 😘💕
Thank you Anxhela for stopping by. I would definitely suggest getting a sample first. So happy you found the post helpful. ~ Cat L.
Thank you for the detailed review-I’ve been eyeing this for awhile and tried it out last Saturday only on my hand, different than I thought it was going to be, however I didn’t have face serums and face cream on the back of my hand-So not a true test…
I think I like to pretend I have VS perfect skin, and this product would be amazing for that, however I am not that person and have uneven skin tone-I’ll test it out on bare skin tomorrow to see how it does-On my hand it was like a gel like tint, didn’t budge, left the faintest bit of color, which is what I prefer-
Interesting that you like it on top of foundation as well, so tomorrow I’ll see how it does on my skin-
I hate when foundation does crease a tad on areas on the face and it seems this product would not do so-
Thank you for stopping by. It definitely leaves a nice feeling on the skin, it’s like a refreshing subtly-tinted gel. I do think it’s a nice product, but for me it just didn’t have enough coverage. I’m curious to hear your experience. Please keep me posted. Thank you again for stopping by. Hope you have a wonderful day ahead. ~ Cat L.
Hi Cat
Thank you for such a comprehensive review (as always) ….I had been wondering about this product!
As I’ve said before I like a simple routine and like ‘tinted’ products as it’s easy for me to use as a light foundation etc!! During the summer when I have slightly more colour, I only ever use Clarins Beauty Flash Balm but would like something that gives that dewy fresh look at other times….was hoping this product maybe have been the answer, but no!
Also disappointed and surprised that it’s in a plastic bottle….trying so hard to reduce my plastic usage and Chanel are usually quite good using glass.
So…..what can you recommenced for me Cat if this isn’t going to work?!
Love and hugs as always
Hannah x
Hi Hannah, thank you so much for being a loyal reader of the blog. I am so grateful for your feedback and support. As far as this Chanel tint, definitely get a sample. You might really enjoy it. It delivers 8 hours of hydration and leaves the skin feeling reinvigorated. I hear you about using plastic. I too have been trying to be more mindful. An excellent tinted option that also provides skincare benefits is the By Terry CC Serum. It comes in a few shades (4 i think) and imparts such a beautiful natural glow. Keep me posted, hope this helps. ~ Cat L.
Thankyou for an honest and thorough review. I love the concept of fresh and radiant skin, I feel this would be great for summer when I’m tanned and my skin doesn’t need foundation but lacks the glow and colour correction.. I will remember this when our summer rolls around again.
I totally agree and it’s another reason why i decided to keep this product. I don’t wear a lot of makeup in the summer as the Florida heat melts everything away, so I’m excited to see how this will fare. Thank you for stopping by, Luisa. Hope you have a great rest of the week! ~ Cat L.
This looks gorgeous on your skin as you really don’t need much coverage at all Cat, you have lovely skin. I am still trying to get my hands on it as its sold out in many places of course as everyone has gone loopy for it, but I think its a good product option to have as not many brands make this kind of thing. Its more tinted moisturisers or serums and not both so hats off to Chanel I say for giving the option, albeit not cheap, Chanel do bases very well! Great review as always and so glad I managed to grab the eye palette at least!
– Kelly xx
https://www.kellilash.com
Thank you so much for such kind and lovely words. I couldn’t agree more, Chanel definitely managed to launch an innovative product. And that’s pretty big, considering the beauty world is fairly saturated with products at the moment. This is indeed a great product when you’re happy with your skin. I hope you get a chance to try it and review it. I’d love love to compare notes! ~ Cat L.
Thank you so much for this detailed review. I love Chanel beauty products and have pallet form this collection but I idn’t try Fresh Water Tint. I would definitely check it.
New Post – http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com/2019/05/oscar-de-la-renta-bella-blanca_15.html
Thank you for stopping by. The palette from this collection is absolutely stunning. I’ve been using it daily. As far as the tint, I think if you’re happy with your skin you will like this product. ~ Cat L.
Great review! It’s funny that the tint started working better for me after a few uses, and I’m in love now.. Even stopped using my beloved amore pacific… And in your photos, I know it’s a silly comment, but photo 1 is the best =)
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I think the Chanel Water Tint is one-of-a-kind in its category and it is the base product I’ve used the most this summer. Happy to hear you’re also enjoying it. ~ Cat L.