Chanel • Bronze Universel De Chanel Sun Illuminator • Bronzers

Where To Buy?

*TOP REVIEWER* bellyhead on 1/14/2012 11:00:00 PM more reviews by bellyhead

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I can not imagine actually finishing this giant tub of product, but when I do, I fully expect to repurchase this gem! I really think this is one of the very best bronzer out there. I generally tend to think any alternative powder product has more fall out and less lasting power than this silicone-based one. Bronze Universel really lasts and provides a really warm and natural looking color to the skin. I like it when I am winter pale to just warm up the skin and also love it to enhance my skin when it is already slightly dark. I like how I am able to build up the intensity or leave it fairly faint to just punch up a sallow light skin. There is no shimmer to this product, so if you are looking to build a very natural color, this would be an excellent product to try out!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

momark on 10/31/2011 6:29:00 AM more reviews by momark

Age: 30-35   Skin: Sensitive, Tan   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

..expensive but worth it!It's perfect for my (sensitive) skin..I love it and i' m very desperate because i can't find it..i'd be very happy to buy it again!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* ceen on 10/24/2011 7:31:00 AM more reviews by ceen

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Black    

Perfect body bronzer (I'm thinking neck/décolletage): finely milled, subtle but buildable pigment. The subtlety is such that it can reasonably be used in the winter as well as summer.

The trick to success with this one is finding the right brush to use: Laura Mercier's bronzer brush was such a disappointment in this respect (clumping of hair occurred over time). More success is to be had with MAC's 182 buffer brush.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

drewthomsen on 9/27/2011 1:06:00 AM more reviews by drewthomsen

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brown, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I can only think of two reasons someone would not like this product: they are too pale for the one shade (or perhaps too dark)...or they are applying it completely wrong. Sometimes if I'm too heavy-handed with this stuff it can end up looking muddy and mask-like, but if you use the correct brush and apply it correctly it gives a very natural, glowing tan. It's subtle, again if you use a light hand and don't jam your brush into the jar, but gives a good glow without being a tan glitter bomb or a muddy matte mess. Also I think it would be great for girls who go without foundation - just to give a little glow to tired looking skin. Sadly I am not one of those girls...but it would look beautiful on bare skin. Be careful when purchasing this at the store because I lot of Chanel counter girls (especially at Macy's) have no idea what this product even is and may claim they don't have it when, in fact, they do and it's right there in the case.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

netmom1 on 8/10/2011 11:05:00 PM more reviews by netmom1

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

I love the texture and application of this product but Chanel needs to come out with more shades. Not everyone tans the same color! I took points off because on my NW20 complexion this looks very yellow, I don't see any orange however. Since it's too late to return it, I've had success using it as a base for other bronzers which suit me better.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

makeupaddict1779 on 8/7/2011 7:03:00 PM more reviews by makeupaddict1779

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I had purchased this product last summer after hearing the rave reviews, but after playing with it for about a month it just sat in my makeup drawer. It didn't look great on me, and at that point it was too late to return. But this summer I brought it out again, wondering what was so special about this very light but extremly expensive bronzer. I have medium skin that turns more of an olive color in the summer and just putting it on the apples of my cheeks/forhead/jaw didn't do it for me (I like to look very tan!). But I've found that its an excellent base for a pop of bronzer on the cheeks, forhead, etc. What I do is rub my finger in the pot then mix a little bit of my regualr, untinted moisturizer with it and apply it all over my face as a light foundation. The result is very glowly/tan skin that I can apply a poweder bronzer over where the sun naturally hits. I also use a little cream blush and then Nars Orgasm for a very sun kissed look. I think this could also work when im very pale in the winter, I'd just use a little less. Hope this helps someone who couldn't find how to wear this in a way that works for their skin tone.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

ohyouprettything on 7/24/2011 5:32:00 PM more reviews by ohyouprettything

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other, Fair-Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Other    

Absolutely love this product. It was out of stock at my local Macy's counter for so long and I waited about 4-5 weeks for it to restock. Once it did, they called and let me know and put one on the side for me. I went there the day that it came in, and they were already sold out! Lucky for me, I asked them to hold it. :) I absolutely love this product. It is completely matte (someone wrote below that it has shimmer...I don't think they are using the same product), which makes me happy, because I am not a big fan of shimmery bronzers (or shimmery anything for that matter). I love the consistency, very lightweight, easy to blend, and you need very little to achieve a nice tan glow. Thoroughly love this product. Would buy this a million times over. Totally worth every penny.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

MandiMommyof3 on 7/15/2011 6:01:00 PM more reviews by MandiMommyof3

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Curly, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Sensitive, acne prone skin people be careful. The first 2 ingredients is silicone. I absolutely loved the consistancy and color of this product. I am an nc25-n30, HOWEVER, it broke me out like crazy. I would stop using this and allow my skin to clear, as soon as I would give it another try, I would break out with cystic type acne everytime. I tried this product 10 plus times to allow my skin to clear and give it another go. But consistantly it would make me break out. And anytime when the 1st or 2 ingredients has silicone in it in a product, I break out (Most primers I have this problem as well). But if its towards the end of the ingredients list, I am okay. Keep in mind, the ingredient closest to the top of the list it has more of that ingredient. I am envious of you ladies that can use this. :)

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

jod84 on 7/13/2011 3:49:00 PM more reviews by jod84

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Blue    

i really don't understand what all the fuss is about this product i was waiting for weeks on end for the store to restock because it was sold out every where. this product reminds me of a hard dream matt mousse with shimmer it hardly shows up on my skin and im stupidly pale so this won't work at all for darker skin tones. it's very long lasting thats the only good thing i can think of

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* ahhhttack on 7/12/2011 2:27:00 AM more reviews by ahhhttack

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I really like this bronzer on my light toned skin (NC15/20, MUFE HD 117, Chanel VA B10, BB Warm Ivory). Lots of people say it's orange, and I can see it being orange if you over apply or have pink toned skin. But on my light, warm toned skin I find it gives me a healthy sunny glow. I use VERY LITTLE since I'm so pale, with a synthetic bristle slanted blush brush. Then I put it on the high points in my face and the ultimate finished look is very natural. Remember, this is builds easily, so start very light and build since it can get intense quickly. I find it looks more natural than many purely brown toned bronzers which can look like dirt. It's expensive but since I use so little it will literally last me forever. The only downside is that it's has a harder surface so most likely some bristles of your brush will get stuck in it. This is more of a inconvenience than a real negative though. I would definitely buy this again!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

MsSunnyEveryday on 6/14/2011 4:56:00 PM more reviews by MsSunnyEveryday

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely love bronzers and am always looking for one that doesn't turn me orange. Chanel products are usually very consistent in quality so I decided to give this a try. The consistency of this product is the first thing that sort of put me off as it is a cream but really heavy. I hate that all my brushes leave behind little hairs on the surface and I have to clean it constantly. I tried applying with a beauty blender but did not get a good result. The product definitely does not turn you orange and it is a very subtle glow that is buildable. It is probably the best sun kissed glow I have gotten from any product. The one problem is that I don't find it very easy to buff this color into my skin, once I put it on, it stays put. Guess that's a really good thing for Summer.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

bululu on 5/24/2011 9:32:00 AM more reviews by bululu

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using this product for a few years now and it's never failed to reproduce the most natural tanned summer complexion. It lasts longer than expected, so I always end up with some left over from the year before (and in perfect condition if you keep it clean and top well screwed on). If you need more coverage, you can mix with it with your standard foundation, especially in the transition period from spring to summer when you need to adapt the shade and consistency of cosmetics to the warmer season. It only comes in one universal shade and it seems to be "universally" flattering as you can dose the quantity and the results. I'm shade Chanel B40 and it matches my skin quite well, although it looks pretty dark in the jar. A sweep of nice bronzer or cream blush/rouge on top will perk up any complexion drained by a long winter.

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* bagpuss21 on 5/24/2011 6:55:00 AM more reviews by bagpuss21

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I adore this product so much, i have oily skin that shines after 2 hours and requires powder throughout the day...although i get dry cheeks and at the side of my eyes. I have pigmentation marks on my forehead and basically have uneven and not so great skin but i can actually skip my foundation (estee lauder double wear) with chanel bronze universal...just moisturize, apply the bronze universal using a large face brush and then add a little concealer under my eyes and on my red bits...then dust over with chanel loose powder and my skin looks amazing, nateral, sunkissed and radiant...but not masked with foundation...it just evens out my skin tone perfectly and doesn't make me oily at all, its great for oily skin, and hasn't broke me out either.....i am normally a mac nw20/EL fresco....i love, a foundation made exactly like this would be amazing..holy grail product for sure.

7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Isanore on 4/24/2011 5:01:00 AM more reviews by Isanore

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I had this product collecting dust in the back of my makeup drawer for a while. But after reading the positive reviews on this site, I decided to give it another try. I applied this with the Chanel #8 kabuki brush. Although the color is barely noticeable on my skin (Chanel B30/40), it does lend the most flattering healthy glow. On me, this works more like a highlighter/luminizer with a very subtle color payoff, than a bronzer. But on fairer complexions I think it would be a beautiful bronzer.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* sabzter on 4/23/2011 1:27:00 AM more reviews by sabzter

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

Absolutely love this stuff. This is what an actual tan looks like---not that dirt brown that everyone wears that looks like poop. Eww. I tried like every bronzer in Sephora (b/c of the price) before I decided on Chanel. How stupid---I should have known after everything else broke me out that Chanel's high quality never falters.


I love everything about this bronzer---the color, the texture, the lack of shine/shimmer, the mattifying finish, the staying power, you name it! It is so beautiful. I apply this with my MAC 130 brush and it blends wonderfully. Definitely best bronzer on the market---I didn't believe that until I actually tried it.


My thoughts on the "orangey" color that everyone complains about: I think that if you're too light-skinned, stray far away from this b/c it will look very unnatural. However, if you have a wee bit brown in your skin, this bronzer just makes you look amazingly sunkissed. You can control how tan you want to look with this, which is what I really like about it.


I also want to comment on the amount----because it is so pigmented, I feel the $50 is actually worth it since it looks like it would take more than a year to go through all of it. I hope Chanel never discontinues this product otherwise I will go insane!

**EDIT** Broke me out. Since I've stopped wearing it, my skin's gotten wayyyy better. If you're acne-prone with sensitive skin, better to stay away from this. I took off one lippie because other than the breaking out, it's the most amazing bronzer I've ever owned. If your skin can tolerate this, I'd never let it go!!!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Scarlet1 on 4/1/2011 3:45:00 AM more reviews by Scarlet1

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I bought this with high expectations....as with anything I buy but because it's Chanel and it's expensive I expect...well.....everything. Now the texture is great, packageing great, concept great but.....on me it just isn't amazing. I think it is a great idea though. I do use it daily but for things like my ears, neck and chest. I use a kabuki brush with this so I can blend large areas quickly. I use the same brush to blend my Two Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer and cheek blush and it adds a creamy density to these products and I like that. I will miss it when it's gone but will not repurchase.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

juillet4paris on 3/27/2011 6:54:00 AM more reviews by juillet4paris

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Dark, Warm   Hair: Black, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I had stopped wearing any sort of foundation a few years ago as it just seemed too fake too heavy. Recently during a recent visit to Sephora I decided to check out the Chanel stand, I stumbled upon one of the better make up artist that I've seen recently and she suggested this product to me. It's light, it gives just the right amount of coverage and fits my skin color perfectly. I now use this AS my foundation coupled with the Chanel - Soleil Tan Fluide(Sheer Illuminating Fluid)"Sunkissed" the result is that glowing perfect skin that you see on magazines.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* carrasco on 3/18/2011 12:09:00 PM more reviews by carrasco

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Brown    

I bought this and within a week had it on my swap list. I just could not make it look good. I'm all about cream products, but this did not work for me at all. I love the concept, the color in the container and the super creamy moussy texture. On me it looked muddy and orange. I did not take away any tokens for my bad application though. I think if I had given it more time and found a better brush I def could have loved this bronzer. Maybe I'll repurchase someday :/

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* CharismaSL on 3/18/2011 11:40:00 AM more reviews by CharismaSL

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

This is a fantastic product. I was very hesitant to try this at first because I didn't think i would be able to use it properly and effectively. BUT on the contrary this is a so easy to use. Not to mention there's no orangey tint nor any streaks. The result is a more of a glow from within. I simply dab a little on my finger and blend and blend and blend. You only need a tiny bit of product otherwise it will look like you're dirty. I use it mianly on my temples and higher plains of my cheeks and tip of the nose to give me that sunkissed look. Its perfect! Very very very easy to use and quick to apply. The jar will last me forever so its well worth the $50 Cdn (before taxes). Love this bronzer! Did i mention that the bronzer looks soooo delicious in the jar (of course, not to be eaten).

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

Evanthia on 3/14/2011 11:52:00 PM more reviews by Evanthia

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Brown    

I love this bronzer! I was very reluctant at first to buy this because of the price but the sales lady said it would last a long time so I went for it. I love it even though I like using my hoola bronzer I tend to get blotchy around my cheekbones when contouring after around six hours even when I use my primer. This product can be layered on as much as you want and is transfer & water resistant. Expensive but worth it!

    Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No