Review | Chanel Lotion Doceur

I have no idea why I haven’t reviewed this product yet, I have used it for almost 6 months now and I must have just thought I had already reviewed this product.

I would definitely suggest using a toner regardless of what type of skin you may have. It is an important step of any skin care regimen. See my article here

I purchased the lotion douceur probably about 6 months ago at a Chanel facial event. I was happily using the Chanel Beaute Initiale Nanolotion prior to that but unfortunately it was a discontinued product. Over the last year Chanel has been discontinuing a few of their first signs of aging products in the Beaute Initiale range. It’s disappointing as I feel that I fit into the category of first signs of aging and age prevention however in saying that if you take excellent all rounded care of your skin prevention should happen on its own.

From using the Lotion Douceur, I believe it is a great toner for those of you with normal to combination skin. It’s not drying or too moisturizing , it’s just right. Remembering to my first impression of it, the Lotion Douceur did feel lighter than the nanolotion and I felt like I did prefer the nanolotion more as it felt more moisturizing after application. However after using it daily, the Lotion Douceur has grown on me. As the beautician said to me, this lotion is perfect for normal skin, it balances the skin out meaning it won’t feel dry or oily. And it does just that.

Main Ingredients:

Tulip tree extract: The anti-polluting agent to remove impurities yet maintain the balance of the skin so that it’s not stripped away of its natural oils.

Bioglucane: Works in synergy with the tulip tree extract.

Price Factor: 5/5

I purchased this for $71 at Smith & Caugheys. It stands at 150ml. For a toner it is probably on the expensive side as with most Chanel products. I have been using this twice a day for 6 months and I still have just under half remaining so personally I don’t think it’s very expensive for the amount of use I can get out of it.

I am aware that Clinique, Lancome, Shiseido do larger bottles of toners and cleansers which is all well and dandy as long as you can get through them in a year. Most skincare products should be used within a year of opening. If you think you’re getting better value for money by getting big bottles but take 2 years to use them up , check the back of the bottle for the useby time to make sure you can really make the most of the product.

In a nutshell

Using a toner is essential as part of a good skincare regimen. Toners help freshen the skin, remove impurities that may not have been cleansed off and moistuises the skin. The Chanel Lotion Douceur is a great toner for normal to combination skin. It freshens while leaving the skin feeling reasonably moisturised. I would most definitely buy this product again next time round.

                          Chanel Lotion Douceur (image from chanel.com)

Review | The Chanel Experience

Apologies for the lack of posts in the last few weeks. I have been super bogged down with numerous things. Don’t get me wrong there are great things happening down the pipeline that’s yet to be revealed to everyone.

Lucky I managed to squeeze in a Chanel pampering session to just relax and switch off my brain for about an hour.

I am always in line for these Chanel facials. I love their products , use them daily and these facials and make overs allow you to try products that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to try.

The process:

I was greeted by the bubbly and professional beauty therapist. We went through my previous purchases and the products I use daily, my main concerns and the types of products I would be interested in today. I believe the initial consultation is so important for any treatments because they really need to find out what you want so they can tailor the products and techniques used to your concerns. Even though it wasn’t my first time getting Chanel products or their facials, based on looking at my products that I bought a year ago wouldn’t give an accurate indication of what I would want today.

My main concern as a 23 year old woman would be first signs of aging. I am thankful that I have been blessed with good skin and have been taught from young to look after it.              I believe that prevention is key to healthy, glowing skin and preventing aging.

The facial started off with a light cleanse with their Lait Comfort which is a cleansing milk. Followed by application of the Lotion Doceur toner. This left my skin feeling soft and fresh.

She applied the Grommage Microperle Eclat which is their exfoliating scrub. The one thing that I probably don’t do enough of is exfoliating. I somehow don’t seem to remember to fit in these intermittent things such as exfoliation and masques. You are suppose to exfoliate about twice weekly even if your skin isn’t oily. Exfoliation helps to get rid of all the dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface which allows better penetration of the products. The grommage is a beautiful product, it consists of crushed pearls as the exfoliating agent. It’s gel cream texture allows smooth application. I will be doing a more thorough review on this product a little later on.

She then followed on with a masque and a massage. The masque that was used was the Hydramax + Active Masque with the main purpose of hydrating the skin. While the masque was settling into the skin , the therapist did an exquisite hand massage. I have had many facials in the past, most therapists take a break and come back in 10 minutes when the masque is setting so I think taking the opportunity to do a hand massage just gives that extra touch.

After the cleansing the masque off, she reapplied the Lotion Doceur and used the Ultra Correction Line Repair Concentrate. I was looking to purchase a serum that had more age prevention properties. I personally didn’t think this is the right serum for me because it does have powerful anti-wrinkle and plumping properties more suited to mature skin and I’m at more the preventing wrinkle stage. I believe Chanel like many other skin care brands lack a complete First Signs of Aging line. It is understandable, there is a small market for these products, your target market would the 20s- 25s who have ample of brands to choose from and to create such products for a small group may not provide great return.

She then finally applied the Beaute Initiale Energizing Multi-Protection Eye Gel and the Hydra Beauty Creme as the moisturiser. Chanel facials often consists of a series of techniques such as pinching and tapping the skin to assist the penetration of products and improve blood flow.

Following from the facial they did a complete make over. It was your choice whether or not you wanted just a natural everyday look or something for the evening.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience as it always is. Chanel never fails to exceed my expectations. The facial cost ($70) was redeemable on product purchase. I decided to buy the Grommage to break my bad non exfoliating habit.

For some of my other Chanel Reviews see below:

• Mousse Doceur (Cleanser) 
• Beaute Initiale Nano Lotion (Toner)
• Hydra Beauty Serum
• Hydra Beauty Creme (Moisturiser)

Review on the Grommage coming soon.

Michelle

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Seasonal Hair

Have just had a change in hairstyle again. I swear every time I come out of the salon I have a new cut. Seems like it’s a vicious cycle this relationship I have with short hair. I can never   grow my hair pass shoulder length probably because I lack persistence and determination to grow my hair past that annoying stage. For the time being (again), I am loving short hair.

This is probably the shortest cut I’ve had, it is a short pixie cut and to me it seems very Agyness Deyn inspired. I was absolutely in love with Agyness Deyn’s hair when she had it short a few years back. Though seemingly androgynous at first sight, it definitely grows on you and the styling opportunities are endless. And on the plus side, my hair grows at top speed so having it this short means it I can actually have a 6 week interval between hair cuts.

A common question amongst my friends is do I miss having long hair, and the answer is yes of course and I have tried clip in hair extensions, wigs and growing my hair out. After having shorter hair for nearly 6 years I am glad I plucked up the courage to get a huge chop 6 years ago. I trusted in my hairdresser at the time and we did it. Looking back now, long hair was easy and it was ordinary because I felt like I had the same long straight hair as every other Asian girl.

For those of you wanting a change from long hair,  get a mid length bob for a start, they’re easy to grow out if it doesn’t work out. Getting a change in bangs is another way of changing up a hairstyle, especially with the change in season at the moment go for a blunt fringe.  A major tip is to find a hairdresser that knows how to cut your hair and stick with them.  Trust their opinion on the cut and colour – they know what they are doing.

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Michelle

New pixe cut – thanks to Brad @ French Revolver Studio

Weekly Wrap Up

Getting back into a 5 day work week from a 7 day week wasn’t  exactly easy. Fell sick as soon as I got the chance to relax makes me want to go back to being busy again. Luckily I was able to fill my days with other non pharmacy related things.

Last weekend I attended Trish Peng’s last fashion show in New Zealand. She is definitely a talented designer and I am sure her designs will make it far in L.A.

Trends that were spotted in the collections include colour blocking in both her RTW and evening line. The colour blocking seen in the RTW is brights with neutrals and the evening line was more the mauves and olives with neutral tones.

I was also fortunate enough to be a model for one of the shows at the Industry – NZ’s premiere event that was over the weekend. It was an onstage hair seminar where each hairdresser showcased a certain technique or style.

And to end on a high note, I just booked a mid year trip to Malaysia where we’ll be doing tonnes of diving, shopping and eating.

More to update next week.

Michelle

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Review | Sebsastian Trilliance Shampoo

I have been using this amazing shampoo for about 3 months now and have just realised I have yet to review it!

I was fortunate enough to be gifted this from French Revolver Studio a while back. I have been using it most days although I do sometimes alternate it with the KMS Free Shape shampoo.

What it does

Trilliance as its name suggests is designed to bring shine and glossiness to the hair in which it most certainly does. I have and others around me have noticed that the shampoo does polish away the dullness in the hair.

At first I was a bit skeptical about using this shampoo as I haven’t had the best experience with Sebastian shampoos in general. I have used the Hydre range and for me it was just too much for my hair, it made it feel very dense and at times oily. The Trilliance range proves itself to be a light shampoo , I normally wash my hair on alternate days and it still keeps it shiny and non greasy.

Ingredients of Trilliance Shampoo: Water/Eau, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycol Distearate, Dimethicone, Cocamidoproyl Bethane, Sodium Citrate, Cocamide Mea, Sodium Xylensulfonate, Frangrance/ Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Salicylic Acid, Tetrasodium Edta, Methylparaben, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Quartz, Methylchloroisothiazolinone.

Seems like a whole bunch of jargon, but comparing it to the Hydre which I have used in the past the main thing that springs to mind is that the Trilliance contain SLS (sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate) and the Hydre contains ALS (the ammonia version). Perhaps this one switch of a key ingredient changes the product entirely for me.

Wella Brilliance vs Sebastian Trilliance

Comparing it to Wella Brilliance, the Trilliance tops it off by a notch. The shine is just that much more noticeable and the hair still remains smooth and soft. Sebastian Trilliance costs a little bit more than the Wella Brilliance but I wouldn’t be too fussed about the difference when you see the results.

Cost Factor:

At your local salon, it might cost you about $40 a pop for a shampoo, but Beauty Bay does it for about $15 AUD but be prepared to wait a few weeks for it. Strawberry Net also sells the Sebastian range for cheaper than retail as well and have the in-salon size bottles but they don’t stock the Trilliance range. In my opinion, all in all not a bad buy for a decent shampoo.

In a nut shell:

Though I was almost certain Sebastian shampoos and I don’t get along well, I was proven wrong by the Sebastian Trilliance shampoo. It produces a glossy finish which lasts for days and is light-weight. It’s a perfect shampoo for those with normal to combination hair. Beats the other shine shampoo I have used in the past such as the Wella Brilliance and it’s still affordable.

Editorial | For the love of

Photography, Editing & Styling : Michelle Alisa 
Model & Make up: Hyde Sham

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Lookbook | In White

These are my latest additions to my wardrobe. I purchased this cute dress from Neuw. I really like their designs it’s plain enough so you can accessorize it up to your liking. The other thing that I bought recently were these 80%20 haircalf boots from MyHabit which I was super disappointed with. When I got them they were perfectly fine, fitted well but I literally wore them out twice then the sole began to part with the shoe. Not what I expect when they are suppose to be a decent pair of boots. Lucky MyHabit were happy to refund my purchase and I didn’t even need to send the boots back. Effectively a free pair of boots which is great except it does need some repair work done. But I must commend MyHabit for the way they dealt with the situation.

For those of you who don’t know much about MyHabit, it’s similar to what we have here in NZ with NZsale except better by 100 + times. It is a branch off Amazon.com and they have new sales everyday including designer items at super discounted prices.Shipping is reasonable as well at $15 to NZ and takes about 2 weeks.

Also on another note, I have chopped all my hair off. Have decided to go pixie short for winter. Thanks to Brad @ French Revolver Studio who always does an amazing job on my hair. The team there Sky, Sally and Brad are awesome. They know what they are doing and what looks great. And to top that off they are doing an amazing deal on a cut & colour – check out this deal here.

Michelle

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Neuw Dress, 80%20, boots

Neuw, Dress

Neuw, Dress