Chanel is the master of light control

Women in the United States and Europe love to bake their skin under the sun because they think that having pale skin is hideous. But women in Asia would rather hide from the sun because they think white is beautiful.

Different concepts of beauty indeed for different folks, and the cosmetic industry responds to these opposing ideas.

There are self-tanning lotions and tanning beds for women who cannot go to St. Tropez or Ibiza for that coveted hue under the sun. For Asian women there is whitening make-up.

Chanel, master of light control and the leading expert in foundations, has created a whitening line for Asian women who seek more than just surface coverage.

Called Blanc Essentiel, Chanel’s whitening make-up was created by Dominique Moncourtois and Heidi Morawetz. It consists of two products.

Blanc Essentiel Light Reflecting Whitening Powder Foundation does four important things for the skin. First, it minimizes the appearance of dark spots. Second, it protects the skin against harmful sun rays. Then, it also has light-reflecting pigments to diminish imperfections. Chanel describes these pigments as "platelets of mica coated with fine particles of aluminum hydroxide which, with a refractive index similar to the skin, have the ability to diffuse light and soften imperfection." Lastly, it mattifies and illuminates the skin. This is possible through sebum-regulating powders.

Chanel’s Blanc Essentiel Whitening Powder Foundation comes in six shades for Asian skin.

Tip: Using the sponge, apply the foundation on the face and neck, blending well. For a natural finish, use a dry sponge. For a longer-lasting result, use a damp sponge.

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Chanel’s Blanc Essentiel Whitening Spot Concealer works like magic over dark eye circles, spots, pigment irregularities and imperfections.

It does three things – reduces pigmentation marks, minimizes imperfections through its soft-focus and light-correcting pigments, and protects the skin against harmful sun exposure.

For an intensive anti-melanin strategy, Chanel offers six products in the Blanc Essentiel line.

• Lightening Gel Make-up Remover – a silky anti-pollution gel to eliminate make-up deep down and improve the even quality of the complexion

• Lightening Foam Cleanser – a foaming cleanser with anti-pollution properties to cleanse, purify and brighten the skin

• Whitening Softening Lotion – a soft and refreshing toning lotion to hydrate the skin and regain a fresh complexion

• Whitening Essence – the major formula with the Endormeline complex to lighten dark spots

• Whitening Day Emulsion – a day emulsion with silky texture to enhance the translucency of the skin while hydrating it

• Whitening Night Cream – all the performance of the Endormeline complex to regain a flawless complexion.

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Chanel’s Blanc Essentiel is available at Rustan’s.