Sun your skin with Vichy!

The Capital Soleil Compact and my Zoeva 110/Face Shape synthetic brush.

Vichy recently came out with another new multi-tasking, makeup/skincare hybrid product in the form of their "Capital Soleil Beautifying Sun Protection Compact SPF30". A welcome addition to their great 'Capital Soleil' sun protection range, it's a cream to powder compact foundation that also doubles up as a high SPF sun protection product. 

It is described as being the "perfect blend of a very high protection sun cream in a melting, mattifying foundation".

* Protects like a sun cream.

* Spreads like a fluid.

* Mattifies like a powder.

* Beautifies like a foundation.

It is available in only 2 shades; Sandy Beige (light) & Golden Beige (medium to dark)

When I opened up my compact, I was initially quite bemused by the shade that I had been sent by the PR representative. They normally get my shade/colour bang on so I couldn't understand why I was being sent such a 'beige' shade all of a sudden. When I saw that I HAD been sent the lightest shade of what is a duo I realised that this product is not meant to support a pasty pale complexion like my own, but rather enhance or fake a sun-kissed glow.

Ye can see in the swatch above that it's not particularly red based and not really yellow, but more of a neutral beige tone. It softens & becomes much lighter once buffed into the skin but is still a bit too deep in colour for my yet-to-be-sunned skin. 

The compact contains a handy sponge applicator in its bottom compartment which would be fine for use by someone who is using this as a conventional foundation (ie. matching it to their tan/skin), but since this is too dark as an all-over base for me, I have been using it as a cream bronzer and so applying it with a brush along the contours of my face. It gives a lovely natural lift to my face without looking 'muddy' or orange once blended and buffed into the skin.

Left; Without the 'foundation',
Centre; Applied crudely beneath my cheekbones (not blended),
Right; Blended in with the rest of my foundation.

The 'Natural glow' effect.

It has a lovely creamy texture that spreads easily over the skin like a fluid . Dry oils and emollients in the formula assist this ease of application and also condition the skin for a comfortable wear. It also contains waxes which aid in the oh-so-nifty water resistant property of the foundation.... AND it tops this all off by perfecting the skin through absorbing oil & sweat thanks to the addition of powders Perlite, Kaolin & Talc in the ingredients, making it well & truly suitable for all skin types!

The high SPF30 is broad spectrum, protecting the skin from harmful UVA & UVB rays, and as usual with any sun-protection product, it is advised that when in direct exposure to the sun that you re-apply the foundation frequently, especially after swimming or excessive sweating.

It also promises long-lasting results with up to 12 hours wear, thanks to the ingredients mentioned above. 

Full list of ingredients.

As is usual with the Vichy skin-care & makeup lines, this compact is suitable for sensitive skins, paraben-free, hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested & enriched with their soothing Thermal Spring Water.

The sun protection compact foundation is available now nationwide in all the usual Vichy stockists and retails for RRP €19.50 (for 9gr. of product).

*Selected pharmacies are on Promotion at the moment, offering a complimentary orange watch with the purchase of any two products from their Capital Soleil sun care range.

I will definitely be taking this guy on holiday with me next month!

And I definitely recommend it as a foundation for anyone whose skin matches the shades available, limited as they are.

Til next post,

Shiv.

xx