Happy 2016 peeps! :D Hope you had an enjoyable, relaxing and safe holiday and feeling refreshed for the new year. I thought I'd make my first 2016 post on a haul with some mini reviews on the products. :) Myer had a 10% off all beauty around November / early December and I believe it is done every year and it is actually the only single time that Chanel is included! So, of course, I was all over that. ;-) It's a great time to purchase a few of my favourites from the brand as well as trying out a few new things I've been eyeing for some time.
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| Above: The thick plastic brush applicator of Le Volume de Chanel Mascara in Noir (#10) |
I repurchased my all-time favourite mascara - Le Volume de Chanel in Noir #10. I've tried the waterproof version and the overall effect they give are completely different! The non-waterproof version is the one to go for. I've tried many mascaras this year and I still feel this is the one I enjoy using the most - I may do a blog post on that if time and baby permits. But, this is the only one that gives me the most dramatic volume in an instant and it dries to a touchable, very flexible hold on the lashes (not stiff, crunchy or flaky), so it doesn't smear or smudge off.
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| Écriture De Chanel Eyeliner Pen in Brun (brown) #20. |
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| The felt tip applicator of Écriture De Chanel Eyeliner Pen in Brun (brown) #20. |
I also repurchased my favourite Écriture De Chanel Eyeliner Pen in Brun (brown) #20, which is great for every day wear as it's not as harsh as black. It's also very quick and easy to use (even for someone like me!). It has a felt-tip, which is relatively short and sharp, so it helps with precise application from thick to ultra-thin lines, and creating winged-lines. It doesn't flake or fade on me. It also never seems to dry out (unlike many liquid eye liners that tend to dry out so quickly)!! Note, I only ever apply eye liner on my lash line rather than on my water line as my eyes are too sensitive for any makeup to go there. Lastly, it isn't too difficult to remove, which is a huge plus. I hate makeup that's so hard / near impossible to remove! I just don't have the patience for it, especially when it's very late at night and I'm sooo exhausted. This is the same, particularly for mascara. I've had perfectly good mascaras that I just don't use because they're so difficult to remove. Their usability goes straight out the door for me, especially when makeup removal is already my least favourite skin care ritual. Anyone else on the same boat?
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| Chanel Vitalumière Loose Powder Foundation (pictured above is in 40 Beige). |
I bought another of my all-time favourite foundation - Vitalumière Loose Powder Foundation in a darker shade 50 Beige for summer (I already have one in 40 Beige, which I now prefer for winter). I have previously reviewed this foundation here when it first came out (two years ago now! My, has time flown!). Note, I'm normally matched to the shade, B30 (or 30 Beige) in all other Chanel foundations in winter, but you may find that the Vitalumière Loose Powder range is a tad lighter in comparison, so you may find you can get away with getting it in one shade darker. This foundation is the most flawless, natural-looking and flattering base I have ever used. I find it even gets better as it wears throughout the day and it never looks cakey or powdery, nor does it emphasise any dehydrated parts of my skin. It also stays on looking fresh even through sweat during summer! I swear, it's like magic!
I thought I'd give a couple of skin care items a go for the first time: Sublimage Essential Comfort Cleanser and Chanel Hydra Beauty Nutrition. I recently fell in love with the Chanel Hydra Beauty Micro Serum, which actually works for me unlike its predecessor. So, I thought I'd give the moisturising cream in the same range a go, and it's very promising given that skin care expert Caroline Hirons loves it. I have yet to open and try it out, so I can't say anything about it yet. If I end up loving it, then I will sure to let you know!
With my current dehydrated skin (it's been like this since I moved to a much colder, drier state in Australia and worsened after pregnancy and breastfeeding), the Sublimage Essential Comfort Cleanser was recommended to me for something more nourishing for both morning and night time cleansing. I've been on the hunt for a morning cleanser rather than a night time cleanser as I already have products and a routine that I love for that purpose. I believe the Essential Comfort Cleanser is new to the Sublimage range which is Chanel's most luxurious skin care range. It's an interesting one in that it dispenses as a kind of thick gel (it comes in a large tube, so it's convenient to use) and when massaged onto dry skin, it transforms into an oily texture, which you then remove with a dampened muslin cloth (provided). So, you can also use it to remove eye makeup. I've only tried it a few times, so I'm not sure what to think of it yet...so far, I'm not sure I would repurchase it. It is very expensive for a cleanser and I'm not wowed by it at the moment. /:-\ So, my search for a great morning facial cleanser continues! >_< If you have any recommendations for dry/dehydrated skin, please let me know.  |
| Above: the provided Chanel muslin cloth. |
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| Clear gel formula of the Sublimage Essential Comfort Cleanser as dispensed from the tube. |
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| The gel formula's transformation into a fine, oily texture after massaging onto the skin. |
Last, but not least, I noticed they had the limited edition nail polish in 'Troublante'(675) from the Rouge Allure 2015 Collection on display and was amazed at how beautiful it was in person - something you can only expect of Chanel.
It's a complex, duo-chrome of bright copper and deep burgundy with a metallic finish. They actually did not have any in stock at my local counter, but Myer were kind enough to find one for me online and have it shipped to me. :) I was told it was their last one! Whew! This one is a real beauty! (You can also see how it looks on my nails on my Instagram account - please follow me there if you're interested. ^_^ ;-) )
What have you purchased recently that you would recommend?
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