Soleil Tan de Chanel (Swatch + Review)

A beauty cult favorite, one I'm sure you're all familiar with. Soleil Tan de Chanel has been on my radar for a while now however it was always sold out and I don't think it's even stocked in Asia.
When i asked, the SAs just stared at me like 'LOL WTF's a bronzer?! Who would want to be dark?"
Then about a month ago, I found myself wandering into the Chanel beauty store at Chadstone during my 15 minute work break... i didn't even hesitate when they told me that they had it in stock. I really wanted to share it with you asap because all the SAs at Myer, David Jones and Chanel told me that this will be discontinued soon. Though I'm not sure how reliable their word is because I've been told that so many times and look who managed to score herself one ^^
I absolutely adore the semi-transparent tub it comes in. The simple and iconic packaging looks so luxurious and sits beautifully on my vanity table. Size wise, it's huge. Containing 30g of product, I don't see myself finishing this any time soon even if i were to use it daily. 
The cream product is a milk chocolate color with tiny gold speckles. It looked quite orange in the packaging which got me worried but when applied, neither the orange undertone nor the gold shimmer translated onto the skin.
The texture is firm to the touch but at the heat of my fingers, it melts into a buttery soft consistency. 


Swatching this bronzer was quite frustrating because the photos do not do it justice at all. I know it comes across very orange here but this is nothing like how it looks on the face (my arm is much paler and pink).
I use my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to apply this, the shape and density of the brush picks up the perfect amount and helps me blend it in seamlessly. 
You can use this as a base product before your foundation to give a deepened bronze complexion but I just wanted to add some dimension to my face to prevent the foundation from looking too flat so i've been using it like any other bronzer.
To apply it, I simply bump my brush lightly (as opposed to swirling it around as that would pick up too much product) a few times in the pan and slowly build up color where i want it. 
The formula is a cream to powder finish. Thanks to its incredibly smooth formula, it applies and blends evenly with very minimal effort and the right brush. It can look very scary before buffing but once blended, it has a velvety finish. The effect is so subtle but makes all the difference. Despite being a cream product, it's still light and breathable, and leaves no shine.
The only other bronzer i have to compare to this is my Benefit Hoola, a matte powder bronzer. While i love Hoola, it can look quite flat and unnatural. The shimmer in Soleil Tan de Chanel is not noticeable at all when applied, what you get instead is a very soft, subtle and natural glow. It doesn't even look like I'm wearing bronzer and gives a luminous warmth to my overall complexion. In the month i've been using this, i've really been loving it. Some days when I'm not keen on putting on a whole face of make up, i've just been doing my brows, concealer and blending this on the high points of my cheeks to make myself look somewhat presentable. 
Soleil Tan de Chanel only comes in one 'universal' shade (probably most suitable to those with fair to medium skin) and retails for $67 at Myer, David Jones and Chanel Beauty Stores. 
I'm not a massive bronzer girl so this was definitely an investment for me. I think with summer just around the corner, i'll be getting a lot of use out of this! 

Is bronzer a huge step in your make up routine? What's your favorite bronzer?

=('.')=

chloé

15 comments

  1. It looks nice and golden! And quite natural too, once you blend it out. It costs less than I thought it would! And it looks so buttery- like chocolate cream. I want to get the Bourjois version but who knows when that will arrive. And I know you what you mean with the Asian SAs gawping at you- I got that a lot in Singapore lol MAC Sg didn't stock Shy Girl lipstick.

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  2. it looks very natural on you! I hear bourjois has just brought similar product to the market, I wonder how good it is compare to the one from chanel as they are both produced by the same company..
    I had to laugh at 'Bronzer wtf who wants to be dark?' LOL so asian.. :-D

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  3. Omg haha the Asian SAs! So funny. Always been curious about this as well, especially those who use it under foundation as a base. The price is a bit steep though, as expected for Chanel. Love your demonstration pics!

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  4. Good thing that it didn't turn out orange,
    otherwise I'd be really dissapointed in
    Chanel! The bronze looks very natural
    on you c: very nice! Xx
    http://icepandora.blogspot.com

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  5. it cost less than i thought it would too! Oh yes, I've heard about the Bourjois version! I wonder how they compare.
    it's so frustrating that Asian MACs don't have the same stock as Western MACs! I really wanted to try the Face and Body Foundation and they didn't have it :c

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  6. Yeh i wonder how different the two products are too! I'll have to check it out and give it a swatch!

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  7. Thanks girly ^^
    The number of times those SAs tried to match me with a foundation shade that was too light for me, not attractive haha!

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  8. Me too, orange tans are NOT pretty at all. Thank you ^^

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  9. Hi Chloe - new follower here! Just found your blog. This is my favourite bronzer ever, it is such good quality - needs to be for the price, however, like you say it won't be finished any time soon. I wear mine everyday too, just gives my face a summery glow - which is much needed since i'm really pasty white. Not much sunshine in Scotland. Look forward to keeping up with your future posts. Love Laura xxx A Scottish Lass Beauty Blog

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  10. Thank you so much for stopping by, from halfway across the world too ^^
    This bronzer looks amazing on fair skin!

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  11. wow this is
    an amazing post! I’m so glad I dropped past your blog! i always wanted to give this product a try

    Keep up thegreat good and hope we can keep in touch!

    Xx Michelle

    www.michettee.blogspot.com.au

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  12. This looks so natural and pretty! I've been trying to look for a perfect bronzer, but was never really keen to spend much on one because I don't use them often enough :( All the "drug-store" bronzers tend to be orange based too which just doesn't work for contouring :( I'm actually surprised at the price tag on this- for some reason I'd expected it to be even more! Seeing how beautiful the texture is, I might need to check this out :)


    http://reveriebelle.blogspot.com

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  13. Florencia Alarcón RiveroSeptember 14, 2013 at 3:02 PM

    This is absolutely pretty!! I love the packaging and your skin is to die for, just like a doll !

    thanks for stepping in my blog, im following you now x

    http://holaflo.blogspot.com/

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  14. i was pleasantly surprised too! I was expecting it to be around $100! I think it's well worth the money and since this is one of the only 2 bronzers i own, i use it quite a bit!

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  15. thank you so much, that's so sweet c:

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