Chanel's Perfection Lumiere Velvet - Smooth-Effect Makeup

Chanel's Perfection Lumiere Velvet in 30 Beige 

Chanel's Perfection Lumiere Velvet is a real minx and I'll tell you why. Intended for normal to oily skin, this foundation promises to smooth, mattify and essentially leave "a flawless finish." I, however, have dry skin with patches of oiliness across my T-zone -- Perfection Lumiere Velvet will not play nice if your skin is even the slightest bit dry and will also emphasize flaky bits.

Swatches of Beige 30 without flash unblended (left) and blended (right)

Swatches of Beige 30 with flash unblended (left) and blended (right)

Tried as I might, I used several different techniques in order to apply Perfection Lumiere Velvet.

With fingers and no primer - So you know how I mentioned having dry skin is not even an option? Well, imagine having dry hands as well. My digits turned into sponges and absorbed most, if not all of the foundation I was attempting to apply. The finish was patchy and my skin looked drier than usual -- I wanted to stick a fork in it, because I was done. Sorry, I don't have a picture, but trust me when I tell you the situation was dire.

Dry foundation brush and no primer - not as bad as my fingers, but I was sincerely hoping for a miracle. Layering several different kinds of facial moisturisers failed me, too.

Dry foundation brush and no primer 

A damp foundation brush and no primer - the results were marginally better as I had an easier time smoothing out the foundation. Notice the flakiness in the hollows of my cheeks?

Damp foundation brush and no primer

Damp foundation brush and primer - Magic! The primer helped to fill in my pores, smooth imperfections and reduce the amount of flakiness. The foundation could finally get on with things and do its job.

Damp foundation brush and primer

Using a primer was a last ditch effort and I'm so thankful it worked. Here I used Clarins* Beauty Flash Balm, yet another product I could't wrap my mind around and scared the bejesus out of me from the smell alone.

Did you learn a valuable lesson? I certainly did -- I won't be so quick to pull the trigger.

In other news... look who I found. It's Sebastian!! Scott and I randomly crossed paths with him in Sydney. And to think I almost didn't visit the Chanel counter in Myer.

Trying to contain my fan-girl giddiness

Despite Sebastians' warnings of needing properly hydrated skin, I still bought it anyways and I wasn't even in the market for a new foundation!

If your skin is unlike mine, please do check out Sabrina's review for her thoughts and swatch comparisons of Chanel's Perfection Lumiere Velvet.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Chanel's Perfection Lumiere Velvet:

• 78.00 AUS / $45.00 USD 

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 6 out of 10 bags — I might stow this bottle away for summer to see how it performs when my skin is a little less dry.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Sebastian sold me on this brow kit, now I need to justify the expense. Tho, the more I think about it, I'd rather save up for the Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flats.

*PR sample provided (Clarins Beauty Flash Balm) –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

Beauty in a tick: Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion

Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion with SPF 15

My hands are always dry no matter what time of year it is and when I find a hand lotion that works I try to buy vats of it.  

Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion is, how do I put this nicely, well, a dud. It's a lotion, I'll give it that, but it doesn't hydrate my hands and cuticles. 

Just look at it. It reminds me of Elmer's glue, smells (faintly) similar to toilet cleaner and sunscreen and the effort expended on massaging this stuff onto my hands isn't even worth it. I've tried to like it, but this hand lotion has failed to deliver repeatedly.

A scathing review for a brand that has otherwise, pleasantly surprised me on other occasions. 

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Clarins Age-Control Hand Lotion with SPF 15:

• $38.00 AUS  

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 1 out of 10 bags — I'll be reaching for my far superior and better smelling staple hand lotion.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• I think I'm good for the moment. Sorry, Clarins. 

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own

A glimpse at the lips: Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Berry

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Berry

Berry goodness wrapped in Jell-o, that's what I like to think of it [Crystal Berry] as. 

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm is a twofer, a pigmented centre delivers a shot of colour to your lips while the translucent exterior leaves your lips feeling soft, smooth and well-hydrated. 

Concerned about the blue hue? Don't let it put you off as it glides on clear. To boot, the berry scent is lip-smackingly good. I've found myself removing the cap in order to catch a whiff from time to time. 

Swatch of Crystal Berry

Despite Crystal Berry being a seasonal (summer) offering from Clarins, I'd be inclined to use this cranberry shade year-round. It's effortless, feels comfortable on the lips and smells so darn good.

Three additional colours, Rose, Mandarin and Gold Plum, patiently await your next visit to the Clarins' counter.

Wearing Crystal Berry on my lips

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Berry:

• $30.00 AUS (Hits Aussie shelves this November) / $26.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — Berry addictive ;)

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Karen of MBB thinks Clarins Be Long Mascara has a lot to offer.

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.

Beauty in a tick: Clarins Instant Smooth Lip Gel in Crystal Pink

Instant Smooth Lip Gel in Crystal Pink

When I caught a whiff of Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel in Crystal Pink I was immediately transported back to my youth. Bang, I found myself standing inside our local candy store. The checkered floor, the confection-littered shelves and the sound of Rich slurping on liquid cherry.  

My teeth hurt just thinking about the slurping sound and the fact that he even ate that crap. Tho, I shouldn't judge as I was the one who always walked away with a pouch of Fun Dip.

For me, Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel is like a nod to my childhood, the scent of cherries minus the tooth decay and calories. 

Swatch of Crystal Pink with flash

Swatch of Crystal Pink without flash

Crystal Pink glides onto lips easily, feels whisper light and lasts for around two hours. My lips were left quenched, non-sticky (sticky gloss ranks low on my lippie hierarchy) with a hint of watermelon-y goodness.

If you're after a low-maintenance fruit bomb for your lips, Crystal Pink is sure to deliver just that. 

Wearing Crystal Pink

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Clarins Instant Smooth Lip Gel in Crystal Pink:

• $30.00 AUS (Hits Aussie shelves on 4 November 2013) / $22.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 8 out of 10 bags — Points for nostalgia and scent.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Perhaps Clarins 3-Dot Liner will take the guesswork out of the cat eye effect.

*PR sample provided –  Thoughts and ramblings written here are completely my own.