OK, i'll admit it. It was the compact that compelled me to buy this. There is nothing more chic than a Chanel compact, and like i've said before, I am a total sucker for lovely packaging. The other factor that appealed to me was the SPF 15 as I am spending 2 weeks in the sun so any additional sun protection is welcomed.

After buying it I came across the Youtube tutorial that Lisa Eldridge did using it for Chanel. Instead of putting it over foundation, she recommended applying it straight on to a clean face with a kabuki brush. I tried that method and I didn't really like it. I don't like the look or feeling of powder directly on my face so I have been using it as I would any other face powder over my foundation.

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder. I apply this with a large powder brush like this one.

I really enjoy using it. It is very finely milled which makes it not seem so powdery on the face (if that makes sense), and when lightly brushed over using a large powder brush it really does give a healthy glow. I opted for colour B20 which was the closest match to my skin tone, but I was advised that it is possible to buy a shade up and use it like a bronzer. I don't like the small brush that comes with the compact though (see the picture below). I've never worked out how to successfully use small powder brushes so I opt for my large brush or my Rae Morris kabuki brush to get more of a blending action happening.

Les Beiges powder compact showing the brush they supply. Soleil Tan de Chanel bronzing base.

You can buy this powder from Boots for £38.00 here in the UK. In Australia it costs $80 (ouch) and you would need to head to a Chanel counter to find it.

I am very tempted to try the Soleil Tan de Chanel bronzing base which Lisa Eldridge has also done a tutorial on, but I may have to wait for my next stint of airport tax-free shopping for that one.