CHANEL Ultra Correction Lift Night Creme

$165.00 USD for 1.7 oz.

Well, back with a bang--a really big, expensive bang. When I first received a small sample size tube of this night cream a few weeks ago, I was expecting the same ultra-thick, super hydration that leaves me oily as I get from almost all other "night creams;" I was, however, totally mistaken.

On CHANEL's site, the description of this cream is "velvety," an apt word for the satin-smooth feel as it quickly absorbs into skin and leave no trace of heavy residue or oily moisture. I find this luxurious cream absolutely addictive, and frankly, couldn't resist purchase of it despite the ludicrous price point. I have owned expensive in the past, but this cream is outlandishly expensive.

That said, I purchased it last Monday...
And I love the cream as much as ever; the formula consistently leaves my skin smooth as silk, not clogging over time or diminishing after prolonged use. Sometimes I even layer this under my makeup during dry days, and I am not oily/slick by end of day. Miraculous! So why do I need to actually review this?

Simple. Packaging. Problems.

Look CHANEL, I get that luxurious means over-done for you more often than not, but please, think about the functionality of your packaging before saying "print" to the producers. I cannot stand the super-heavy square shaped rock that my cream comes in! My god, the gunmetal is a breeding ground for fingerprints and dust, slippery plastic that feels weightier than glass, and the lid is hard to align to close properly. The whole thing is just MASSIVE, cumbersome, and frustrating, so if I didn't love this product so much, I would return it and never think twice.

For something so expensive, I should not want to depot it into a cheap plastic container just so that it is less of a pain-in-my-butt. Final thoughts, WHY, CHANEL, WHY?! I'm going to have to put this in a different container...

Beauty Newb Rating: ★★★★☆

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara in 10 Black

$30.00 for 0.21 oz/6g

We all know mascara goes bad rather quickly compared to a lot of other cosmetics, but really, when you are trying to get your money's worth out of a particularly expensive one (cosmetic or mascara)---well, just don't choose this one.

Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara was seriously a wonderful mascara. When I first got it, I could not get myself to use any other; however, less than three months after I purchased this beautiful little tube, what started out as very mild eye-irritation at the strong scent became tears everytime I put it on. That's right, halfway into the shelf life this extremely expensive and highly rated product went BAD, and I do mean bad.

Chanel Mat Lumiere Long Lasting Soft Foundation SPF 15

Build-A-Look Part One: Bold Lip and Concealer

$54.00 for 1.0 fl oz. of foundation

Thank goodness I got a sample size of this foundation. I really hate that for a long while I have heard nothing but good things about Chanel....everything and yet have been unable to be truly satisfied with any products. Not to say or suggest that some aren't good, but for their price-tags, I'm not in for the life-long haul of the brand.

In my continued quest to find a few good foundations that serve different purposes throughout the seasons, I had to pick up at least one from Chanel's counter at my local Nordstrom. The SA picked out the right color for me and, in theory, the right formula, but alas, I'm still not sold. Mat Lumiere, as it's name may blatantly yell, is formulated to reduce shine and the appearance of oil on the skin throughout the day.

My first bone to pick is that no matter how thinly or thickly or layered I apply this, my skin never looks matte. It looks natural finish with a bit or glow around the tip of the chin, at the cheekbones, and right between the brow, but the say that this mattifies my skin without or before the use of powder is a bold-faced lie. My second frustration is that after my favorite and wonderful primer from Smashbox and a setting powder, Chanel Mat Lumiere still manages to make my skin turn "natural" finish within maximum of 2 hours and starts pilling around oil after 4-5 hours. I don't know what foundations you've ever used, but for me and my oily skin, that's still unacceptable and frankly BAD.

CHANEL Gets Another Chance with Le Vernis Rouge Noir

Rouge Noir in direct sunlight

Ok guys, I'm not gonna sugar coat this: Chanel has not wowed me yet. However, this does not mean I'm not still looking forward to trying many more products (granted there is a good return policy in place) and finding a few key pieces that I adore.

Which brings me to my current polish... Before all the holiday bustle, since we are on the subject, I took the opportunity to buy a nail polish trio containing Gold Lamé, Coromandel, and Rouge Noir. I had been lusting after Gold Lamé for a few months by that time, so I jumped at the chance to own it. Alas, the Gold was a disaster, Coromandel was an unexpected win  of a bright red, but Rouge Noir was the real prize from the purchase. At $23 a pop for a Le Vernis, it better be a smash hit, and at least this one is!

I Give You...Sir Sparks-A-Lot!!!

Sparky is modeling with Chanel Rouge Allure in Libertine

Sparky is not for sale because he is mine and I will never let him go, much to his dismay.

My review on four shades of Chanel Rouge Allure Lipstick (Libertine, Emotion, Remarkable, and Passion) will, with any luck, be posted tomorrow!

Happy Thursday!

CHANEL Rouge Allure Laque in Ming

$32.00 for 0.2 fl oz.

I swear I'm not trying to sound like a broken record, but this was another disappointment from Chanel. I'm going to have a hard time describing why because I can barely put my finger on a reason. None the less, here goes.

The Rouge Allure Laque formula is basically a liquid lipstick: smooth semi-opaque to opaque color payoff with a comfortable feel and a decent wear time. Ming is a soft yet vibrant pink (lighter color but still pigmented) with a rather glossy finish without the tackiness of a Glossimer. These last about three to four hours on me without heavy drinking, eating, talking, etc.

Serum Saturday: CHANEL Précision Pureté Idéale Sérum

$75.00 for 1.0 fl oz.

My god, Sparky has been a huge sweetie this week and is coping well with all the change (a taste of the nip helps him now-and-then), but Snowy's interaction with him is driving the dog-person in me nuts! Seriously, I'm not even a little used to cats yet...ugh. On a brighter note, this lovely, snow-covered morning at the end of the first month of this new year, I'm reviewing maybe my favorite serum I've ever used!

A purifying oil-free serum formulated with an advanced Marine-Bio Extract to help rebalance skin. Helps control oil production and reduces the appearance of pores for clear, smooth and refined complexion.

The Intense Refining Skin Complex from CHANEL was actually a bit of a shock for me. I'm not trying to knock the brand, I promise, but I think the reason I own as much CHANEL as I do is because I had this pedestal vision of the products. However, as with every brand, it's some stuff works for me and some stuff really, really doesn't. This is the product I believe I will use for years to come (budget allowing).

Mask of the Month: CHANEL Précision Masque Déstressant Pureté

$50.00 for 2.5 oz.

In English, this Purifying Cream Mask is a thick concoction designed to detox your skin to help clear the pores, the mind, and the soul. In reality, it does part of that.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful for precise directions on how to get the most effective results from a product, but it took me about 20 minutes to read the enclosed leaflet for this mask. Chanel even details a facial massage technique to be used before rinsing off the mask! That's nice of them, and sometimes it is calming to have ritual relaxation; however, in all it's just too much.

Will You Fall In Love With No.55? CHANEL 55 In Love Blush, That Is

($42.00 for 0.21 oz/6g)

I can't tiptoe around the fabulous quality of this blush, but I will try to give it a fair shake at a critical review. In Love is a warm coral with orange-yellow micro-shimmer. It contrasts beautifully on a warm toned face, and I think still neutral enough to flatter cool-toned gals like myself (the micro-shimmer helps). the powder is top quality and does not send clouds around with each brush stroke, so you get to use every speck of product. For the money, this blush is an investment I am happy with (beautiful color I want to wear often), but if you lean more towards lots of variety for less than a fortune, this is not for you.

Get CHANEL color for only 3 Bucks with a Minty Twist

I'm on the fence about CHANEL Glossimers, I really am. They don't really do much for me in terms of the feel of the overall product, but for Holiday 2010, Chanel kicked my pocketbook really hard with Pink Pulsion Glossimer. It's sooooo pretty to look at, and much to my dismay sooooo not the best color on me.

In a vain attempt a few months ago to make the Chanel Holiday 2010 look using only e.l.f. products (i.e. for less than the cost of just one piece of the Chanel collection) I ordered a huge haul of e.l.f., one product of which was Minty Lip Gloss in New York City. I was actually surprised by how much I liked the Minty Gloss because I liked it more than the Chanel (WHAT? Blaspheme, go wash your mouth!)