Chanel Inimitable Waterproof Mascara in Blue Note

When Chanel announced their Summer 2013 collection would include different colored mascaras, I knew one would have to be mine. Their collection includes a yellow, green, aqua, and blue. I don't believe I have ever seen mascara in yellow before. I got all kinds of excited and immediately began scoping out my local counters until I found one that had these in stock.

Chanel recommends only applying these mascaras to the very tips of your lashes to create an effect much like butterfly wings. Well, I tried the green one in store (lime light) and I quite frankly thought the look was a bit clownish. I would still like to try the yellow and aqua at some point, but I picked up the more low-key royal blue colored Blue Note and I am torn on whether I like this or not.

"The mascara that delivers it all -- volume, length, curl and precise separation -- in a long-wearing, waterproof formula that won't flake or smudge. Pro-Vitamin B5 hydrates and conditions lashes to keep them supple and healthy-looking. A unique brush design provides perfectdefinition of lashes, even the finest."

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First the mascara itself. This is the first Chanel mascara I own, let alone an Inimitable waterproof mascara. Personally, I don't specifically like waterproof formulas to begin with, and this one is particularly hard to get off, which might be a pro for some, but is a con for me. Next, I have a hard time getting this to look thick on my lashes and it wasn't till I tried to apply this to my arm that I realized it's just really hard to get product off of the applicator. Speaking of the applicator, I dislike the plastic type applicator that this utilizes. I do not think this mascara does anything that it says it does. I don't think it specifically curls, provides volume, or length. It does separate my lashes, but only if I am careful that they don't stick together while drying.

As for the color. I really like the color itself and I am always taken aback when I pull the wand from the tube and I absolutely love the look on my lashes, but it doesn't stand out as much as I would have liked and I cannot apply this to just the tips of my lashes because you absolutely cannot see it. I have even tried layering this over my black mascara in general so I can have the oomph of mascara, but the coloring of this and it cannot compete with the black at all. This can only be worn by itself, which means when I wear this I have to contend with weak, meek lashes. 

In conclusion, I am torn because I really do like the color and how it looks on the lashes, but it is a seriously crappy formula which I would never willingly purchase if not for the color. 

Have you guys tried any of these? What do you think of the formula/colors. Should I bother trying the other colors?

This product can be purchased from any Chanel counter - Macy's, Lord and Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Barney's, Saks...etc. or online at http://www.chanel.com or any of these retailers online. 

Chanel Poudre Signee De Chanel Illuminating Powder

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Although I had gazed at this from afar, I had no real intention of purchasing this. However, I went to the mall the day after Christmas and Lord and Taylor had a $20 off coupon when you purchase $40 or more...and it worked on cosmetics. So now this is in my stash. Was it worth it even for the lowered price? I'm still on the fence. The packaging is gorgeous. It comes in a velvet pouch that closes with elastic and when you open it up it has a big sponge applicator in it. There is certainly enough product as well. I don't think I will ever get through this. And of course, the design on the product itself is gorgeous. Chanel describes this as being "a limited edition creation, this sheer highlighting powder is artfully embosses with the icons of Chanel. Bringing a fresh vitality to the face, this soft pink powder lightly dusts over cheekbones and high points to capture and reflect light with a delicate luminosity. This is part of the Printemps Precieux De Chanel collection."

To start with, I hate the included applicator. I used it the first day with that and I hated it. I thought it was the product and almost gave it back. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong, but it appeared heavy and placed, like i'm wearing makeup and don't just have naturally luminous skin, when I used the applicator. However, when I applied this with a bigger, fluffy brush, it makes my skin look radiant. It is a lovely pinky luminosity that works well with my pink Chanel blush. It lasts pretty much all day (i'd estimate somewhere between 8 and 9 hours) and looks natural and beautiful. It does have a slight perfumery scent, but I think many of channel's products have this scent and I actually kinda like it. I like this product, I'm just not sure I like it more than the Benefit illuminating powder I was using previously. This is definitely a much lighter (and by that I mean it is hard to see it applied in certain lights because it isn't heavy) luminizing powder than the Benefit one (where I can see it applied as soon as I apply it) and is much more finely milled (a gorgeous texture), I'm just not sure I like it better. 

All in all I would still recommend this (especially if you have a coupon), as I do like the product, I'm just not sure it's love. =)

This can be bough wherever Chanel can be purchased (which is pretty much everywhere). I bought mine at Lord and Taylor. It can also be bought on the Chanel website here.

Barney's/Saks Haul and Nastassja Skincare line

Rachel was a bad girl yesterday...=(

I think I might have lost my head a bit. There is the new limited edition Chanel Illuminating Powder (Poudre Signee De Chanel), 2 Burberry Eyeshadows, a Burberry Lipstick, 2 Lush eyeliners (which will be reviewed in my next Lush update), Koh Gen Do foundation, Armani Eyes to Kill, Sponge Krema Triantfillo (finally!!!), and a sample of something I'm not really sure of (it was kind of thrown at me). Soooo...I had a bit of fun? I think I might have a problem. My name is Rachel and I am a beauty shopaholic.

I got home from this haul and found my glossybox prize on my doorstep. I won the Nastassja Skincare line and was surprised when I opened the box and found the entire line, I thought I would get some products and mostly samples.

It also came with a 50% off my next purchase coupon. I really don't know anything about this line, so I'm going to do a little research and try these out and review them soon!

Fun with Chanel

So I was walking through the Trumball Mall today (it's a mall in Connecticut) because Lush was having a Halloween celebration and I passed Lord and Taylor who seemed to be doing exciting things. It turned out that Mario Penilillo, one of Chanel's premier makeup artists, was here to do personal beauty consultations and make-overs. Sounded like a lot of fun to me! Above I show the makeup consult sheet and the after pictures. He spent quite a bit of time assessing my skin and offering skincare products he thought I might like. After he wiped my face clean and chose products that he thought would look great on me. I loved everything he chose. Afterwards I bought the blush used and the eyeshadow pallet. They were just so pretty! I was hesitant to buy the foundation as I have more than I really need, so they were happy to give me a sample to play with. The blush is Joues Contraste Powder Blush in Star Dust (which I absolutely fell in love with, it is a sparkly pink that really lights up my face, definitely a winner!) and the pallet is the Regard Signe De Chanel Quadra Eyeshadow in Du Soir. The shades are very earthy and very perfect for fall! If you like this pallet then hurry and get it as it is limited edition. All in all they were super nice and I had a lot of fun at this event. Props to Chanel.