Chanel CC Cream Review, Comparisons, Swatches + Application Tutorial Video

What is CC Cream?

The new Chanel Complexion Complete CC Cream is the part of the newest crop of skin performance products, CC cream. The 'CC' in CC cream supposedly stands for color correct, and there are only a handful of these products available. Most notably the Chanel, since it is quite difficult to procure, the Olay drugstore version since it is the only one easily accessible to Americans, and the Rachel K version that is most popular in Asia, especially with those who are too tan for the Chanel version.

These new tinted creams are essentially BB (Blemish Balm) creams on steroids, the "mother" of all BB creams if you must. They are all intended to restore the condition of the skin while protecting it with SPF, but the CC cream has a greater focus on concealing pigmentation, fine lines, and wrinkles. I have only tried the Chanel version thus far, and I must admit that though CC cream is not a miracle product as it should be considering the exorbitant price tag of 90 USD, I much prefer it to BB cream. Since I had so few positive experiences with BB cream, I started testing this CC cream without any expectations.

The Chanel CC cream, however, took me by surprise. It did not cause any breakouts and more importantly, did not look ashy against my yellow/golden undertones. Most BB creams tend to impart a grey lean, dulling the complexion.. this Chanel CC cream brightened up my face, and the yellow base of the 20 Beige shade has a hint of blue, just as with Armani's newest technology used in the Designer Lift foundation that was recently launched. I generally wear a B30 in Chanel, but I managed to manipulate the cream by setting with the right powder foundation and topping off with a bronzer. I can imagine that those two shades up might not want to splurge for this product, but if you are just one shade too tan for this CC cream as I am, then it is worth the effort to track down the genuine article. There are more details about the product, as well as comparison swatches, included in the video if you are interested!

The most noticeable difference between the Chanel CC Cream and my favorite Blemish Balm, the Dior DiorSnow BB cream, was that the former lasted at least an hour longer on my skin without breaking down and/or becoming patchy. I can stretch eight immaculate hours of wear from the Chanel CC with powder foundation to set if I blot around the fifth hour. The Chanel is also superior when it comes to minimizing the appearance of pores. As much as I love the Dior DiorSnow BB, it tends to settle in pores and lines more noticeably than with the Chanel CC and is even worse on dry patches. If you want to use either of these products, you must exfoliate regularly for these creams will accentuate every flaky patch. The DiorSnow BB feels thicker and heavier, leaving a noticeable sheen on the skin that quickly becomes an unattractive greasy look around the mark of three hours. The upside? Dior's BB provides more coverage on its own. It may not be by much, but the DiorSnow BB cream covers blemishes enough to the point where I can do without adding concealer. And it manages to cover the pigmention on my right cheek just as well as the Chanel CC cream does.

One downfall of the Chanel CC cream is that even with buildable medium coverage, blemishes were apparently not included in the chemistry of the concealing effort. Perhaps Chanel decided to take a different route with the CC Cream and target women who are more concerned with wrinkles than they are with acne? I do have a bit of hormonal spotting at the moment, and you shall be able to see that the blemishes are still obvious before I apply concealer and powder (see tutorial section of video below).

Bottom Line: Despite the limited availability and shade selection, I love and recommend it!

Price: It is currently the equivalent of $90 American dollars in Asia, but I cannot imagine Chanel would dare sell it for that price in the US. I would expect more along $75-80.

Availability: Currently only at Chanel counters in Taiwan, China, and South Korea. Rumor is that Chanel will launch the CC cream Stateside sometime in 2013 and in Australia, 2014.



Make-up Worn:
Chanel CC Cream with BeautyBlender Sponge
Benefit Hello Flawless Powder Foundation in Honey with MAC Marcel Wanders 187
Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer with Sigma F25
Hourglass Brow Pencil in Dark
Urban Decay Vice Eyeshadow Palette
Lit Cosmetics Hawaii 5-0 Glitter, Size 2
Bobbi Brown Gel Liner in Black Ink
Red Cherry Lashes in 47 & 747
Chanel Spring 2013 Lip Gloss [Review + Tutorial coming soon!]

Accessories:
Pearl Studs, YSL Arty
DailyLook Rhinestone Stud Cuff [Browse HERE]