Chanel Shame On You!

Look CLOSELY at the above picture.  Does it make anyone else as angry as it makes me?  


I recently went to the Caribbean to the islands of St. Maarten and St. Barth's and to my amazement I found one of my favorite foundations Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B60, Beige Muscade.  I always knew Chanel made beige amber (BA) shades which were released in certain countries, but I had never heard of B60.  In the United States, Chanel offers 5 beige rose shades (BR), and 5 beige shades (B), with the darkest being B50.  I find B50 to be suitable for a Mac NC35-40 skin. 


B60, as seen in the swatches below probably suits up to a NC45 skin.  For those unfamiliar with Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua, the foundation darkens once dried.

L to R: Wet swatches B50, B60

L to R: Dry swatches B50, B60

Interestingly, Chanel does have the new Vitalumiere Aqua compact in 4 BR shades, and 6 B shades, including B60.  I found the color of this range to be different than Vitalumiere liquid, with even B60 being a little light. Perfection Lumiere is available in 20 shades with BR, B, and BA shades including those for darker skin.

I admit my interest in a brand is heavily influenced by the company's image and promotional pictures, as well as the range of foundation shades they offer, as someone of darker skin than the average Caucasian female.  One of the reasons I explored Edward Bess and Burberry was because their promotional pictures often feature women of darker skin. Other lines, like By Terry, I have minimal interest in exploring because of her limited base color range. I stopped wanting the Touchee Veloutee concealer to be available in a shade dark enough for me. It is hard for me to support a brand with a limited philosophy on beauty, but I too am guilty of grabbing the darkest shade in a concealer feeling thankful it works on me. Who can also forget this stunning Nars promotional picture for their new Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer?

Nars Spring 2012

Edward Bess 2009 campaign

Edward Bess Spring 2011

Burberry Fall 2011 

I fail to understand why Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua in B60 is not available in the United States, if it is in fact already produced?  I recognize that cosmetics companies have different philosophies and probably spend considerable time and money researching consumer needs and consumer spending and tailor their business practices accordingly.  On the other hand, I would think that there are just as many women with darker skin and $45 to spend on a foundation in the United States as there are in St. Maarten. I spoke with my friend who is in the cosmetics industry about this, and he said that even in Atlanta when he worked for a line with options for darker skin, the darker shades did not sell as much. Foundation solutions for both the very fair and darker skins can be a difficult task, but thankfully cosmetics companies like MAC, Bobbi Brown, Nars and Lancome cater to the beautifully diverse female population with offerings for women from all ends of the Earth.


What are your thoughts? I would love to hear them whether you agree or disagree!