The Chanel Replacement, the World's Worst Exfoliator and the Proper Tools for Your Face!

I am so happy to report that I finally found the replacement for Chanel Precision Age Delay Anti-Puffiness Cream that Chanel no longer sells. This is Caudalie Vinexpert Serum Anti-Aging Serum. Oddly, this one is for your lips, as well. I found it by complete accident. I had a free sample from Sephora and, because nothing on the sample (or even the bottle) suggests that it is for anti-puffiness, I used it as a basic night eye cream. When I first poured it out of the sample pouch, I said "Wow! That totally looks like the soft color of the original Chanel product." Then, when I put it on, it slid on just as soft and perfectly smooth as the Chanel. In a few seconds, I started to feel the tingling of the anti-puffiness agent and the dark circles started to fade. I totally was not expecting this AT ALL! So, I went onto Sephora and immediately learned that the product is for exactly my problem: It alleviates the look of chronic puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles, and visibly firms and tones the skin. Yes!!!! It is a $70 must have! A little goes a long way. Now, I did put it on my lips, before I knew what it was for. I personally don't like the sticky way that it feels and it doesn't do anything for me, but if you have wrinkly lips, maybe it is great for you! I prefer my cheap Wei East Lip Remedy.

Let's discuss the freaking OUCH product of the past week! It was so painful that, of course, I wanted someone else to immediately try it. So, I completely forced Kirt to exfoliate with Be Fine Exfoliating Cleanser. You'll notice that this is a free deluxe sample in that big Ulta lot noted in my earlier blogs. The packaging looks soft and inviting. It says it is made with brown sugar, sweet almonds and oats. It's a lovely brown sugar color when it comes out. However, when you put it on your face, it feels like you are seriously washing your face with ROCKS!!! The little pebbles do burst a bit and start to foam, so maybe it needs more emoliant in your hands first... but HOLY GOD it is rough! That cannot be good for your skin. Of course, Kirt said he didn't feel anything. He's either a liar or his man face can totally take it. His little hairs probably prevented him from feeling the trauma of the pebbles. This is a definite must miss, unless you are Tammy Fay Baker and haven't washed your face all year and are looking for a fresh start.

Oh ... and another must miss, which I don't feel so bad reporting on since I just gave Caudilie a big thumbs up, would be Caudalie Tinted Moisturizer. I am an absolute fan, as you know, of Stila Tinted Moisturizer and placed that one on the Daily Sample Must Have list early on. I still use it every chance I get. But, what good would Your Daily Sample be if I wasn't sampling everything out there? So, I tried this tinted moisturizer. First off, the one for fair skin (they only have two - fair/medium and medium/dark) looks like it belongs on a bronzed bombshell. It is sooooooo orange. Second, and even more importantly, it went on like foundation, not moisturizer! I'd seriously consider putting on my primer before putting on this moisturizer. It just absolutely is a must miss. I even tried a bit less of it on another day, thinking I might have used too much product. Nope! It's a gross foundation trying to pawn itself off as tinted moisturizer. Stay away!

While on the subject of interesting moisturizers, I did try the Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer, which is different than the basic Stila Tinted Moisturizer. This came in my $40 for $18 Stila kit called Stila Made In Your Shade Foundation Wardrobe (a must try). I prefer the regular one, as this one added a touch of shimmer and I prefer my shimmer to be specifically directed - such as high on the cheekbone, the nose and the chin. It was just a bit too much overall shimmer for me. I'm kind of a matte-moisturizer girl. I like to shimmer and dew myself up after the makeup step.

I did receive a sample packet of Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturizer. I do like this brand, but it smells completely like rose-scented perfume. I can't stand that overwhelming rose scent, even though the moisturizer was very smoothing. (01/10/10: I eventually end up putting this product on my Must Haves list, despite the terrible scent. It is such a great moisturizer and works so well with the Ceramic Smoother, that you just have to get over it and buy it - that's how good it is!)

Let's discuss lotion. I received two sample packets from Jaqua Hand Cream. One was Pina Colada and the other was Raspberry Buttercream Frosting. I used them for lotions, as opposed to just hand cream. The scents are lovely. The feel is a bit too thick for me. Fun to try, but not necessarily a purchase.

And, forgive me for having recently blogged about this before, but, really, can one ever have too much Chanel? I just love the Chanel Precision Hydramax Balanced Hydrating Gel. It smells absolutely fabulous (a subtle fruit like scent) and it goes on just like a dream. It is instantly soaked into the skin, so it really isn't too many beauty step. I notice that my face looks softer when I use this under my moisturizer. The website says it activites waterproofing proteins to help restore moisture in the cells. It worked great after a long day in the sun. Anyway, there are very few products that I feel you can put on as a "starter", what with so many - eye cream, moisturizer, primer, concealer, foundation, powder, bronzer, shimmer, blush, setting spray, etc. I mean, seriously, who needs one more thing??? Well, I like it. It feels like the right start to the whole beauty regimen. I've got enough free samples to last a year, so I won't be purchasing it any time soon. I suggest going to your Chanel counter and giving it a try.

Now for a discussion of tools. I tried a brush at Sephora that instantly went on the Daily Sample Must Have list and jumped right into my basket. Now, generally, I don't pay this kind of money for brushes. However, with all of these phenomenal products, how can they possible look their best if I'm not willing to pay for the best tools? Plus, the brush is soooooo adorable. I love how long it is and how it feels in your hand. It's so soft, but with the right amount of firmness. Plus, if you take care of your tools, they should last you for a long time. So, you should run out and try Hourglass Blush Brush. It's $58, but works for blush, bronzer and the like.

Oh and let me save you some money. Any brush that looks like this one here is meant for someone who has never used makeup and doesn't want to. It's total crap and doesn't pick up any product. Mine is from Bare Essentuals and was from the Bronzing Kit, but the Sephora saleswoman completely agrees that it is any brush this fanned out. So, I thought of two good uses for it (since I like the other stuff in the kit): a teenager who is just getting used to makeup (and tends to have a heavy hand) or a seriously insane color that you are using for the first time (lack major fuscia or deep orange on your cheeks or emerald green on your eyes) that you really don't want too much product with.

Now, if this doesn't keep you updated and pleased for a few days, feeling the need to try new things, then I can't help you. You are too much of a diva for me! Hope you have a wonderful week of beauty!