I love using makeup primers. I really believe that they help your makeup stay on longer and foundation goes on better after using them. In the past I’ve used face primers from Nars, Mac, Make Up For Ever HD, and Laura Mercier. They are all less expensive and in fact better to me than Chanel’s Base Lumiere.

I treated myself to this primer in December when Lord & Taylor was having a 10% off sale on Chanel makeup. The price for 1 oz. is regularly $42. Gotta love those Chanel prices! This base is supposed to help reduce under eye circles or de-emphasize them. That is what got me interested. I have dark, tire like circles under my eyes! I am always trying to cover them with concealer or buy products that help make them look a little better. I know that it can be a hereditary thing or maybe it’s my insomnia. Anyway I decided to give it a go.

Base Lumiere is easy to work with. It’s a nice light, slightly creamy consistency. A little goes a long way. It goes on smoothly and feels like a nice moisturizer. I have oily skin and appreciate that it’s oil free. My foundation goes on smoothly right after using it and my makeup looks great all day. But the extra benefits claimed aren’t there and with a price tag of $42 I don’t think it is worth it. I use the same amount of concealer as I did before. I don’t feel like the light-deflecting properties and other claims were accurate. I have been using it since December and I am going to use the rest of it but I won’t be repurchasing.

Rated C-

Disclosure: I purchased this item myself!