Chanel Hydra Beauty Essence Mist

This facial mist was a bit of an impulse purchase for me last summer, during a Boots points event. At £44 for 50ml, it's by no means cheap, but it more than proved it's worth.

The mist contains hyaluronic acid, vitamins C and E, and a moisturising compound called Camellia Alba, which according to the product info offers antioxidant protection as well as hydration. In the few months I've been using it its become invaluable. When I first purchased it I was in the first trimester of pregnancy and suffering more or less constant morning sickness. I had neither the energy nor the inclination to spend any time on my skin, hair or make up, but this spray was a saviour. Simply misting it over my face after cleansing gave 'post facial' skin, even without the addition of toner or moisturiser. The same in the early months of motherhood when I found I simply didn't have time for the skincare regimens of old. A spray of this on cleansed skin meant I could get out of the house without feeling I had to go through my usual routine of toning and moisturising, and made going without make up much more bearable. It feels comfortable and moisturising on the skin, smells heavenly (I wish they'd make a perfume with a similar scent!) and gives the skin a dewy, rested finish - it really is like a mini facial in a can!

The mist can also be used to set make up, and according to various online beauty mags it works well over serum / moisturiser to prep skin before applying make up, though I haven't yet used it in this way. I have however used it with my Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer (which I love - separate post to follow!) to sheer it out a bit - it then applies beautifully.

It is expensive for a tiny amount of product, but with careful use it will last a good few months. It's just one of those products that delivers. Having just finished my can, I'm planning to repurchase asap.

Chanel Le Vernis - Rouge Fatal

I had wanted this polish for a very long time and finally caved in and purchased it a couple of weeks ago. I have to say, I have been slightly disappointed:

a) The colour is nice, but not as wow as I'd thought it would be.

b) I'm pretty sure I have a couple of polishes like this already in my collection - I'm thinking OPI's I'm Suzi and I'm a Chocoholic (comparison below), Nars Rebel Yell (not yet tested) and Essie Downtown brown. Will post comparison pics of all three when I get round to trying them.

c) Application was difficult - and chippage after a day. Very poor show Chanel. In fact while I'm at it I am really not keen on those spindly Chanel polish applicators.

no flash

flash

OPI I'm Suzi and I'm a chocoholic 

I actually prefer it in these pictures to how it looks on my fingertips! Overall, I'm kind of regretting splashing out £17.50 on this - I'll probably get a bit of wear out of it over the autumn / winter, but unlikely to repurchase.

Chanel Le Vernis - Gondola

Happy New Year! The first of hopefully many posts this year. My lovely boyfriend bought this for me for Christmas - I haven't tried it myself yet but as my mum was wearing pink on Christmas day I offered to manicure her nails using this colour - she loves it and so do I - a gorgeous, shimmering raspberry colour, very festive but I think this will also make a nice summer pedicure colour - what do you think?

Festive feet - Chanel Le Vernis in Coromandel

I bought Coromandel a few months ago being seduced by the vibrant orangey red. I did a manicure with it but was underwhelmed - it just looked a bit in your face somehow - so thought I'd try it as my festive season pedicure colour.

(last pic with flash)


I do like it, but again just not sure. It somehow seems to overwhelm the nail, making it look larger than it is - I cant really explain the effect, Sunday evening, tired, words failing me!

My beautician was very impressed with the texture and pigmentation. For me, it's pretty but not a repurchase. My Christmas pedicure colour last year was Chanel's Barcelona Red and I do absolutely love that shade. I'm also loving at the moment OPI's A oui bit of red which I've blogged about previously and which is a real grower on me.


Any must have red pedi colours?

New purchases

I believe the American term is a 'beauty haul' but I'm British so I'm just going to sensibly call them purchases.

Had a bit of a spree in House of Fraser yesterday. First up I bought a new Chanel Ombre Essentielle Soft Touch Eyeshadow in 63 Abricot. I saw this colour on a You Tube vid and my interest was piqued, and in the flesh it is even more stunning. I almost didn't buy it because of the price - surely the most expensive single eyeshadows in the market?? But I suspect I'll get a lot of wear out of it. The beauty is that its quite light so can be used for highlighting, blending etc but it also has enough depth to be used as on its own on the lid. I think it will look beautiful with greens and blues too though I'm less keen on the latter.

Next up I headed to the MAC counter with two things in mind - an eyebrow pencil and the 217 blending brush I've heard many raves about on You Tube and Make Up Alley. I'm usually faithful to my Laura Mercier eyebrown pencil in blonde (but nowhere in Croydon stocks Laura Mercier, yet) and had planned to get another pencil, however the MA suggested a powder would work better with my brows, and an eyeshadow at that! Sceptical at first, I tried the MAC charcoal brown eyeshadow with their 266 brush... and the results were spectacular! I had that soft, thick, natural look I've often admired but never been able to achieve with pencils - now I now why! Powder, it's the way forward people. Needless to say I walked away with the eyeshadow, 217 and the 266 brush. I do think MAC make up assistants are among the best - they really know their stuff and what will work, and are very efficient - that's if you can get near them as the counters are always so rammed. I don't actually have a lot of MAC products in my collection as I am a bit of a cosmetics magpie and tend to get distracted by nice shiny luxurious packaging a la Chanel. But maybe I'll explore further....

I also picked up across the road in Allders a Christian Dior Ultra Shine lipstick in Shiniest Meringue, on sale for £10.50. I love these lipsticks - I previously had one in Shiniest Papaya which was one of my favourite lipsticks ever - sadly discontinued. Shiniest Meringue is a subtle 60s pink - great for pairing with a smoky eye I suspect, though would probably work best with skin that has a bit of colour.

I haven't figured out how to upload pics etc but will hopefully have some images of the above in action in the not too distant....