Some memories have a way of staying with you. The glint of sunlight bouncing off ocean waves. Shimmers of condensation glistening on the waxy surface of a leaf. A pleasant warmth against skin. Nature has the propensity to make us feel small in its vastness—and yet, also, free, in part due to its expansiveness. And while the beauty industry has historically looked to the great outdoors for inspiration, it is rare that brands strive to replicate the effects of nature on your skin and psyche. Until, of course, Chanel. Enter: the Les Beiges range; the incarnation of instinctive, intuitive make-up designed to enhance your natural beauty.
All things considered, creating a line-up that would mimic and bolster your complexion’s innate glow is no easy feat. What more, products that would feel like open air on the skin, equipped with a diaphanous, gossamer-thin texture that illuminates your visage without pilling, cracking, or flaking. Against all odds, the maison emerged victorious, whereupon the Le Beiges range was borne after further experimentation with microfluidic technology.
What this translates to is a lightweight formula that imitates every possible nuance of a bare complexion when outdoors, from a veil of radiance that emulates the interplay of sun and skin to a glimmering, dewy finish that simulates a day out by the water. It comes as no surprise, then, that its creation serves as a boon for folks hankering for make-up that looks and feels imperceptible to the naked eye—of which, includes local model and actress, Jasmine Sim; R&B artist Keyana; as well as PR maven Parveen Hassanbhai.
Vogue Singapore speaks to the trio on their relationship with make-up, self-love, and authenticity—and how the Chanel Les Beiges range has contributed to that journey.
Keyana
“I would describe my personal relationship with makeup as relaxed and easy. I have adopted an extremely simple makeup routine on the day-to-day. Complexion-wise, the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation Hydration and Longwear—paired with the Chanel Water Fresh Complexion Touch—has me covered. I prefer to apply a minimal amount of makeup due to the scorching heat of Singapore. As such, I carefully select products that have the ability to withstand and marinate through the challenging climate and maintain its allure throughout the day. The way I look at it, make-up gives us an opportunity to choose. It’s so empowering, because it gives you the option to look the way you want to present yourself on any given day. It makes me feel just slightly more powerful walking into the world.”
Jasmine Sim
“I’ve been using make-up since my university days, and while I’m not really experimental when it comes to my looks, I do feel that it helps me feel better about myself—especially when I have scars and zits I’d like to cover up. The Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint ticks all the boxes for me, mostly because of how it feels like my skin, but better. I love how lightweight it feels, and it covers up my imperfections without feeling too heavy or cakey.
Would I say that I rely heavily on makeup to boost my self-confidence? Not exactly. I think that has to do with the temporal nature of make-up in itself. Make-up comes off, and when it does, I think it’s important to remind yourself that it is normal to spot the occasional zit, or a lingering scar. I like to tell myself that scars take time to heal, and that’s fine. It doesn’t define me.”
Parveen Hassanbhai
“I only started putting on make-up in my 30s. Growing up, my mother always sported a really clean make-up look, so that was something I aimed for, too. She placed a larger emphasis on taking care of your skin rather than make-up itself, and I feel that I’ve followed suit in embodying that. I think that’s why I am a fan of the Chanel Les Beiges range, because of the natural and minimal coverage it provides. The Les Beiges Healthy Glow Gel Touch Foundation SPF 30/PA +++ grants this healthy glow, and I resonate with the range’s emphasis on natural, unfiltered beauty. Its capabilities and design is very much aligned with my philosophy on beauty, in a sense where I believe that putting on make-up can empower and evoke a spectrum of emotions—as for myself, I see it as a form of self-care to pamper oneself above anything.”
Beauty director: Alli Sim
Videography: Jeremy Kieran
Photography: Zhang Minhua
Art director: Denise Chong
Associate beauty editor and words: Emily Heng
Hair: Leong Lim
Make-up: Kenneth Chia
Manicure: Felicia Widjaya
Photographer’s assistant: Kerine Chia
Producer: Shiang Siew
Production: David Bay
Production assistant: Darren Lim
Beauty assistants: Faith Leong
Models: Jasmine Sim/AHundredAnts Production, Keyana, and Parveen Hassanbhai
