An Editor’s Honest Review Of The Viral LUMENE CC Cream
Since its launch in February of this year, Nordic skincare brand LUMENE‘s CC Cream has been making waves in the skincare world. From beauty editors to skin influencers, everyone is waxing lyrical about the product that has become the brand’s best-seller here in the UK. But is it all just Instagram noise? The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, trialled the product for seven days straight. Here’s what she thought…
In Partnership With LUMENE
My Skin Type
It makes sense to give you a bit of a background on what I look for in a base before we kick off this review. I like good coverage and a luminous glow (who doesn’t?), but as I inch closer to my forties at what feels like an alarming rate, my skin is definitely changing and so are my needs when it comes to foundation. Skincare is my number one priority and moving away from cakey, heavy bases that feel more like poly filler than something that’s going to leave my skin feeling juicy and fresh. I also need something quick and easy to use as with having a three-year-old, you don’t get much more than three minutes of makeup time in the morning. And finally, something that lasts throughout the day with little need for touch-ups. Too much to ask? Maybe. But LUMENE’s CC Cream pretty much comes as close to that as you can get.
I also need something quick and easy to use as with having a three-year-old, you don’t get much more than three minutes of makeup time in the morning.
Choosing The Product
Choosing a makeup product online for the first time, especially a base, is always a little ominous, but LUMENE makes it easy by using three relatable, natural and filter-free images of people for each of the 10 CC Cream shades. I chose Fair and it was bang on. Also, the fact that it is a CC cream gives you some wiggle room in the shade department as the base adapts to the natural colour of your skin. In the past, I have been a little dubious of this kind of sorcery-loaded statement, but this does what it promises to. Perfect colour matching, no streaks and blends beautifully – happy days.
First Impressions
The product is really easy to use. It feels luxurious but not heavy and melts easily into the skin. The nozzle of the tube is really thin allowing you to squeeze the product directly onto the skin without wasting any or making a mess – which is a godsend when you’re pushed for time. The product itself is super hydrating too, leaving a glowy finish but without looking too artificial.
Coverage & Finish
The CC Cream feels lightweight but offers a medium coverage. It also lasts and is super easy to apply – I’ve done so using a brush, but also my fingers when in a rush and both gave my skin an even, polished finish. I’m pretty happy with my skin generally, but have the usual irks of dark circles, feeling a little lacklustre when I’ve had less than eight hours and a small amount of rosacea on my chin. LUMENE’s CC Cream was able to combat all three whilst still looking like skin – just better – and lasting right through to evening.
LUMENE’s CC Cream was able to combat dark circles, dullness and a little bit of rosacea – all whilst still looking like skin – just better.
The Science
The product feels so hydrating thanks to two ingredients that are pillars of the whole LUMENE range. There is Lingonberry Seed Oil, made with wild, hand-picked lingonberries upcycled from the Finnish food industry, that gives a really radiant glow and is suitable for all skin types. And then there’s the Arctic spring water used to produce the range. It is exceptionally pure, naturally purified and kind-to-skin as it has been filtered through layers of sand and gravel formed after the Ice Age – there’s a reason why the Unesco World Water Assessment Program 2003 and the World Water Council 2002 separately rated Finnish water as the best in the world.
The Reviews
You only have to take a look at the reviews and stats of the product to see why it is the best-selling product from the range after only a few months of landing on shelves…
100% of testers agreed that CC Cream is long-lasting.
96% of testers agreed their skin tone looked more even.
92% of testers agreed their skin looked smoother.
My Verdict
I am genuinely sold on LUMENE’s CC Cream. I’ve used it for seven days straight, from nursery runs to dinners out and I have not once reached for a foundation. At the end of the day, my makeup is pretty much still intact and feels less clogged and dirty when I’m cleansing and doing the rest of my skincare routine. I’ve also been using LUMENE’s Fresh Hydration Moisturizer SPF50 which acts as a perfect base to layer on the CC Cream, and their Liquid Bronzer which glides on top and gives a natural contour even when using your fingers.
I can hand on heart say I will be repurchasing once finished this tube.
I can hand on heart say I will be repurchasing once I’m finished as there is definitely a space for this in my daily makeup routine.
Shop the full LUMENE CC Cream colour range below…
Getting your hands on Lumene with be even easier from July 8th as the natural and vegan beauty brand will be available in-store and online at Boots.
