Ok, so I have the following foundation powders from Chanel from over the years:

Mat Lumiere
Double Perfection
Vitalumiere

I could be crazy but you have to invest a lot initially to buy the compact (in Canada around $75) on the understanding that it's refillable and refills are cheaper. Every time I manage to work my way through a compact though, it seems like the line is discontinued and I have to buy another plastic case!

I guess I'm just stupid for continuing to buy it.

Enough of ranting. This product is pretty good, as are most Chanel makeup products. Does it justify the price? I'm not sure. I always feel like Chanel doesn't make enough colours in foundation. The powder is nice and smooth and doesn't seem to cake.

It's really pricey though and I feel like you can find similar quality for a much lower price elsewhere.

I received this and a sample of the liquid formulation of this foundation from the lovely ladies at the Chanel counter :] The liquid in the lightest shade was far, far too dark (the texture and finish were beautiful, I couldn't leave it on to see how it held up throughout the day, but I was sad it didn't work for me), so I was apprehensive about trying the powder. The saleslady had expressly told me it was a full-coverage powder foundation and to use it on its own, not over a liquid foundation, or I would cake up my young skin unnecessarily. However... when I put it on over bare skin, not only did it seem to add only the slightest increase in colour depth, it was very hard to treat as a powder foundation. Using the sponge applicator supplied deposited enough colour, but it had to be applied in a very small area else it would be sheered out and its purposes as a foundation reduced to slight colour change and mattifying, in the manner of a finishing powder... which is what I ended up using it for, with a fluffy kabuki brush. This is a beautiful powder - like the packaging says, there is nothing overly matte about this product. It imparts something beautifully glowy on the skin without detracting from the mattifying properties, and as added bonuses I get a slight golden increase in colour on my face and extra coverage ^^ it's nothing that people will distinctly notice and comment on - therefore not earning, to my mind, its rather expensive pricetag, nor a place too high above my other setting powders. I might buy it for a special occasion though. Or I might not. It's a generous sample :]

Prefer Vita Lumiere cos this somehow can't treat my combination skin - the U zone is a bit flaky when I use it. Chanel really needs to improve the suede pouch, it gets dusty really fast and doesn't hold the foundation box at all, they are all over the place when I put it in my handbag, sponge, foundation, pouch.

This foundation is great. I started using foundations again in January and my friend recommended it to me.

First off, the packaging...while I love all Chanel packaging, I feel that they could make this compact less cumbersome. And the velvet pouch doesn't really do its job as my compact slides right out anyway.

Now when it comes to the texture, I was pleasantly surprised by its fine quality. I have combination/oily skin and with a primer it stays on my face all day. It is so finely milled, gives decent coverage, and does not cake up.

I have been using it everyday for the past 4 months and it ran out. I have since tried MAC Studio Fix Powder for a cheaper alternative and I was underwhelmed by the poor quality - I am going back to Chanel for sure.

Overall, I will definitely purchase again - I took off one lippy for the price, but you do get what you paid for!!!!

Its more like a 3.5 rating. Like the texture and how it goes on easily.
But I have to agree with one of the reviews that it does make the face a little dry. Perhaps it's because of the mattifying moisturiser I used underneath. But when I go without the mattifier, my T-zone starts getting oily a few hours later. A bit pricey but what to do, it's Chanel.
I will continue to use and observe the effects before deciding if I should buy again so it's a maybe at the moment.

Edited = after months later. After switching to a non mattifying moisturiser + started using a primer before putting on the powder, I am loving this product. Find that it brightens my complexion. Updated this to a 4-star. I will defintely buy this again.

I bought this product after reading the excellent reviews on MUA, and because I'm a 'Chanel' girl - every skincare/makeup product I own is always almost Chanel. I must say that I'm not overwhelmed by the performance of this product.

This foundation can be applied either dry or wet. When applied in the dry form, the application is OK, and it blends in quite well. It does appear a little chalky when worn on the under eye, but the application on the rest of the face is good.

When applied in the wet form, the foundation works really well. It smooths out the entire face, giving it an even coloration. The best way to use this foundation would be to use a liquid foundation, and apply this over areas that you need extra coverage.

However, the product is not upto expectations and I would suggest buying this ONLY if you need a powder foundation for extra touch ups during the day/night. Definitely not a must have Chanel product.

I am absolutely disapointed with this expensive and highly rated product. When the SA put on me N#50 Poudre at the department store, yeah it look good, nice glow so i bought it also thinking about the oil/sebum control properties.
I've worn it for 1 week now, and I can say not only does it not provide coverage, it made me look chalky and dried up as well. The oil controlling part is probably the only thing good about it as my forehead and nose is not as oily (but nose is a tad shiny by mid-day).
I would not recommend it and will not repurchase. I heard better reviews about the Mat lumiere extreme but it is not available in Australia :-(

My search for foundation continues....

Best product!Really worth it! Expensive but divine!! Feels like having nothing on your face but the skin glows!!!Chanel is the good fairy of the make up and at least made my wish come true: flawless skin!!

This product is proof that you do get what you pay for. Thanks once again to fellow MUAers for your recommendation, as I normally wouldn't have splashed this amount of money ($85AUD) on a powder. I love this powder, like my UPDD it's permanently in my handbag to take with me in case, oh, the world ends and I still want to look polished wherever it is I end up. For reference: colour Sable, on my fair to medium yellow toned Eurasian skin which tans easily, brown eyes and black hair. Did I say I love this product???

It's the gold standard in powder for me. I rarely buy it because it's so expensive, but you do get what you pay for. It also lasts quite a while.

It goes on smooth and unlike other powders that pick up dry patches of skin, this powder actually smooths it over. I have a combination skin that's very oily, sensitive, but my cheeks and chin are prone to dryness. I have tried a few other Chanel products, but their powder is probably the hallmark for me.

This is very finely milled and has a smoothing component to it. My friends, who have all used it, swear by it. It's twice as expensive as MAC but works twice or thrice as good. As long as you buy it at a store (and not ebay) and get a good match, you won't be disappointed. It provides medium coverage, is somewhat buildable, but you never look like you are wearing too much makeup. I never needed makeup primer or go over my problem areas more than once. I noticed a difference immediately, which is what I expect for luxury goods.

It transfers a bit, but it doesn't oxidize, it doesn't break-down and look cheap at the end of the day when my T-zone gets oily. Touch ups also don't require blending.

I tend to buy it in Duty-Free when I travel overseas but the exchange rate just hasn't been favorable in the past few years.

I feel guilty for not springing $50 for this powder as I type this now because a smooth complexion is the most important part of make-up... When I look at my friends make-up, I can always tell the quality of their products... Generally, I can tell who buys Chanel powder (or Lancome powder). It's really the best for people who have okay skin - generally clear but with blemishes or minor flaws. It's not as natural looking as other types, but it looks universally good: it doesn't look unnatural, but it never looks cakey or powdery or like you are wearing a mask.