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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To return my foundation

134 replies

LaVieEstBelle159 · 16/09/2021 18:20

My current Estée Lauder DW is ageing me and so decided to drive 130 mile round trip to Boots in the mall to treat myself to a new more youthful foundation.

Went to Chanel and explained what I didn't want. She tried me with a BB cream (too light) and a Sublimage Le Teint which on first application seemed great.

She gave me all the flattery. I (stupidly) assumed it would cost about £40-£50 and when I paid, it was £105!! For a foundation. I was so shocked, I just paid it.

I feel upset because she actually didn't give me other Chanel foundation options only these - one she knew I wouldn't like and one that was very expensive. I said I didn't want a cakey look and I presumed there were no other options. When I went online later, I saw Chanel sell a few other foundation ranges in the prices I had expected.

The Sublimage is awful, after 2 hours, I look as though I've been frying chips in a sauna and for peri-menopausal, it's not a good look. It also makes my eye and lip makeup disappear and accentuates my pigmentation.

AIBU to take it back and say I was missold? Would really appreciate any comments please.

OP posts:
MrsKoala · 16/09/2021 22:50

I wouldn't take it back but I'd contact Chanel and explain and see if they can offer you a replacement. I have skin like yours and have tried loads of foundations and they look great at first but within 2 hours my face actually looks wet.

The only ones I've tried that this doesn't happen is Il Makiage - which is fabulous once you get the right colour, it took 3 attempts and they changed each opened bottle free of charge. It works best applied with a brush. And my second favourite is a much cheaper Maybelline fit me matte and poreless liquid foundation - which is more for daytime/summer and applies well with finger tips.

All other foundations I had to keep reapplying powder to absorb the oil and I looked so caked. The trouble is, if you say you don't want to look cakey you will get advised a sheer foundation, which has a dewy/buttery sheen and if your skin is oily it can look awful after a few hours and you end up looking more cakey from all the powder you need to apply.

I've learned after many years of wasted money (Chanel was also my worst buy) that a matte foundation applied lightly over a gel/non oil based sunscreen settles best on my skin and needs no powder and looks the least caked.

pelosi · 16/09/2021 22:52

Definitely take it back.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/09/2021 22:58

Take it back, even No7 will swap foundation if it doesn't work for you.

Funnily enough I've only ever bought Chanel once and was colour matched so badly it was ridiculous!!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 16/09/2021 23:00

I'd email customer services, I did that with Clinique once ( again, I was colour matched incorrectly with a pressed powder) and they told me to chose new products to the value of the powder and sent me them.

Teaandcakeordeath83 · 16/09/2021 23:11

Op... This is still the boots make up return policy. www.boots-uk.com/newsroom/features/our-make-up-exchange-promise/

Personally I'd take it back. If it was that expensive and makes your skin look worse after a few hours of wear then it's not the right formula for you (for example I cannot wear Mac/ Estée Lauder/ clinique foundations as they oxidise on my skin and turn orange- unless I get a tester and use it over a few days there's no way of knowing that from just a try on in the shop). Next time ask for a sample and then you can buy whatever one is best for you online. X

Mistlewoeandwhine · 16/09/2021 23:28

Doublewear do a lighter version which might be better.

Justmuddlingalong · 16/09/2021 23:34

She wasn't being friendly. She was doing her job. All shopping done at cosmetic and perfume counters should be done with a large dose of scepticism.

TaraR2020 · 16/09/2021 23:35

For a high street brand I'd say yabu but with a premium brand such as Chanel I'd chance my luck with a complaint.

Karmakamelion · 17/09/2021 00:04

You can return the foundation with a receipt at any branch of boots. Its obviously a poor foundation for your skin and so frankly as she lied. I would lie too and say it caused a reaction.

ellyeth · 17/09/2021 01:14

I think Chanel has small samples that you can take home and try. I'm not convinced that paying a lot for a foundation necessarily makes it any better. I have tried cheap and expensive foundations and the cost doesn't necessarily reflect the quality, in my opinion.

If you have opened the foundation I don't think you can take it back but I would perhaps write to Chanel and express my dissatisfaction with the product, especially given the price of it.

evelynhugo · 17/09/2021 02:07

Take it back, they won't mind, they want you to love their products. I would phone and do it by post unless you want to try some more in the shop. I'm pretty sure they can send you some samples to try properly. If you take a tiny pot they will give you some to try.

Sommernacht89 · 17/09/2021 06:47

Sell it on ebay

Geamhradh · 17/09/2021 06:58

People saying you can't return it are wrong. You can absolutely return it and explain why- you were mis-sold as you were led to believe that it was the only option. Obviously you didn't have to buy it, but you should still be able to return it on the basis of how you've described the customer service experience.
Higher end brands like Chanel, Estee Lauder etc have so much mark up on their beauty ranges that they will write it off. They also depend on having a good customer service image.
If you can't return it, contact either/both Chanel/Boots. Explain the experience rather than the product.

N7 Hydraluminous probably fits your bill. It's now my holy grail after trying almost every high end Next Big Thing on the market. It has good buildable coverage but also a "lit from within" sheen. (not a slick like other lighter coverage/BB/Ccs though.

I tried (and liked but don't come near to Hydraluminous)
Armani Luminous Silk - it's good, but the N7 is better, and on me the N7 colour is better as I'm pale but pink toned
YSL Touche Eclat- meh
Nars Sheer Glow- no idea why it was called sheer anything as it was like rubbing lard on my face Grin
Virtually every Chanel going- I always used to head for the Chanel counter once my beloved Clarins Instant Smooth foundation was discontinued
Clinique Even Better Glow- again not bad for coverage and light
Charlotte Tilbury "magic" of which the only thing magic was the difference between the sample I had and then the full bottle Hmm
And others too numerous to mention...

Thatsplentyjack · 17/09/2021 07:04

one she knew I wouldn't like and one that was very expensive.

How on earth was she supposed to know that?

Macncheeseballs · 17/09/2021 07:14

Do you/women really need to wear foundation

Geamhradh · 17/09/2021 07:22

@Macncheeseballs

Do you/women really need to wear foundation
No. I don't "need" lots of things that I do/have We do it because we can. Want to. HTH.
Wole · 17/09/2021 07:23

@Macncheeseballs

Do you/women really need to wear foundation
No no one is forcing us but many people want to. HTH
Geamhradh · 17/09/2021 07:24

@Thatsplentyjack

one she knew I wouldn't like and one that was very expensive.

How on earth was she supposed to know that?

Because the OP told her the what she didn't want (presumably a light BB style coverage given that she was coming from Doublewear) Then she was offered exactly that.
Macncheeseballs · 17/09/2021 07:28

I just think alot of women don't really need it and feel they have to, and What does hth mean?

Wole · 17/09/2021 07:31

@Macncheeseballs

I just think alot of women don't really need it and feel they have to, and What does hth mean?
Hope that helps.

It's patronising to suggest women can't decide for themselves if they want to use foundation or not.

Comedycook · 17/09/2021 07:32

@Macncheeseballs

I just think alot of women don't really need it and feel they have to, and What does hth mean?
To be honest, this is the style and beauty board not the feminism board
IdblowJonSnow · 17/09/2021 07:32

Well you wouldnt be unreasonable to return it.
I once returned a foundation because in the cold light of day it was the wrong shade. The assistant picked it out for me so I just said that.
They weren't impressed but took it back and refunded me.

Hopdathelf · 17/09/2021 07:33

@Geamhradh that’s simply not true. The OP says she tried a BB cream first and didn’t like so they then tried a serum foundation, specifically Sublimage. That particular product is designed to be extremely light wearing and hydrating. To suggest it’s anything like Double Wear is not in the least bit accurate.

cricketmum84 · 17/09/2021 07:33

@Macncheeseballs

Do you/women really need to wear foundation
No. We do it because we like it.

Personally it evens out my skin tone and makes me feel more confident.

supercatlady · 17/09/2021 07:33

I’d contact Chanel by email. Estée Lauder would always take returns if not suitable, but I had a similar experience with benefit and they didn’t want to know as it was opened. Hopefully Chanel will care that you aren’t satisfied with the product.