Show me a woman that doesn't covet Chanel and I'll eat my hat, a brand so exclusive it's one that most can only dream about, unless we're talking beauty that is.

For as long as I can remember I've wanted to be that girl who delicately lifts a Chanel compact out of my bag and powders my nose but it's never quite happened. I've never made friends with their bases, their blusher although pretty in the pan disappears from my cheeks in moments and their nail polishes? Well the colours are just stunning but the staying power? Ain't nobody got time for that so when I heard every blogger and their dog raving about Vita Lumiere Aqua I must admit I was tempted, that is until I got wind of a sister product. A matte offering with all the joy of the original formula without the worry of a shiny t-zone come 3pm - a quick dash to my local Chanel counter and a sample in hand it wasn't long before I returned and picked up the full size.

For me Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet is the perfect every day foundation with a light to medium coverage, SPF15 and that important stays-put-all-day factor, possibly even beating my Nars Sheer Glow in the stay-around-test. I have the shade B10 (which is annoyingly the lightest, super pale gals this isn't for you) and find it's best worked into the skin with fingers due to the runny consistency, I've tried using my beloved Buffing Brush but found most of the product disappeared into it. Once on the skin the finish is like no other - lightweight and undetectable, forget matte this baby is like your skin on it's very best behaviour, velvet really is the perfect description. 

Two things that don't float my make-up lovin' boat? One is the scent which I hear is common place in Chanel bases, I've actually grown to enjoy this floral meets blackberry fragrance but do bear this in mind if your skin is a sensitive soul. The second is how this foundation feels to touch, almost like it's been powdered (a similar feeling to the one Hourglass Mineral Veil primer gives) which is something I'm still not sure about, although I'm guessing this is how it stays around so well. This isn't a problem for my normal to oily visage but if you're a dry skinned gal I'd stay clear and give the Vita Lumiere Aqua a bash instead. 

 I take back everything I said about Chanel bases, it's love.

 You can see me wearing Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet here and here.

Have you got your eye on Chanels latest launch? What do you make of their other beauty products?