Golden Light

Chanel Golden Light Baume Essentiel ($45.00 for 0.28 oz.) is a light copper with moderate, warm undertones paired with a glossy finish with subtle pearl. It has an emollient, wetter feel that leaves behind a shinier, glossier finish that doesn't fully set or dry down, though it doesn't slide around (surprisingly). The balmy quality seems to give it better spreadability, especially over base products, as I didn't struggle with it lifting up complexion products.

It worked well applied directly from the tube, patted on with fingertips, or using a synthetic brush, though I prefer fingertip application myself as it gave the control I wanted without lifting up base products (and faster and easier to clean than a brush). It had sheer coverage, which was as expected, that gave a dewy finish with a hint of pearl but very little color (someone fairer might see more color and someone deeper might get more of a highlighting effect). There was still a distinctive glossiness to my cheeks after eight hours of wear, and it was only just barely starting to migrate/move at that point.

The product didn't wear as well on eyes as it slipped around and creased quickly, though it was lightweight enough that I didn't feel like I had a glossy balm on my lids. It worked better dabbed below the brow bone to add shine without worrying about the product gathering in my fine lines. As a lip product, it was very lightweight with subtle shine but as one might expect with a multi-tasking product but doesn't feel as comfortable nor as long-wearing (two hours at best) as a traditional lip balm or a lip gloss.

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